Bobby McFerrin more than a happy song he wrote
A remarkable thing happened when Bobby McFerrin did an audience participation bit at the Arden Theatre about 20 years ago – and it had nothing to do with “Don’t Worry, By Happy,” the smash hit song he released in 1988 that defined this unassuming jazz singer forever, for good or ill. Singalongs aren’t remarkable, of […]
Shut up and play your music
So apparently Jack White is now a jerk for calling the guys in the Black Keys jerks, among other jerky things said about other people, including his ex-wife, in the heat of the moment … to a Rolling Stone reporter. Then Jack said he was sorry. Don’t you wish these guys would just stop talking? […]
FOLK FEST 2014: Blue Rodeo headlines Four Days in August
With the announcement of Blue Rodeo as the closing main stage act at the 2014 Edmonton Folk Music Festival, we expect something a little extra special from a band that’s been here more times than winter. And so it is: The venerable Canadian country-rock band will be playing what is considered its folkiest and most […]
Did Chavril make it bad on purpose?
In light of a recent offering of unpleasant pop culture that everyone and their dog is pooping on, a contrarian is duty bound to look on the bright side. There’s so much hate being directed at Avril Lavigne’s new song and video for “Hello Kitty” that you have to wonder if it’s all part of […]
Johnny Rotten comes to Edmonton in Jesus Christ Superstar
So you are the Christ, you’re the great Jesus Christ. Prove to me that you’re divine, change my water into wine … and God save the queen’s fascist regime! Is that how it goes? How’s this for a masterpiece of casting: Johnny Rotten, aka John Lydon, will be playing the role of King Herod in […]
REVIEW: Great concert? Yes!
About 2,000 Edmontonians took a trip to a parallel rock ‘n’ roll universe for the duration of the Yes concert Monday night at the Jubilee Auditorium. Lucky for fans of the band – now spanning six decades since its inception in 1968 – this is exactly what they came for. How many bands in 2014 […]
Pax Arcana reunites after 20 years – for old time’s sake
A one-time band reunion can be just as sad as sex with your ex – great while it lasts, but you’re likely to feel just as empty afterwards because you have to break up all over again. “Hopefully we’ll be drunk after that,” says keyboardist Marek Forysinski on the expected mood after Pax Arcana’s comeback […]
MUSIC: Ann Vriend the next big thing – or is she already?
Ann Vriend sounds like Loretta Lynn singing Aretha Franklin songs written by Marvin Gaye and produced by Mitchell Froom. It is that weird – and wonderful. The sound of the Edmonton singer’s new record, For the People in the Mean Time, owes a lot to her Italian producer Tino Zolfo, whose Froomish style with all […]
Young Drunk Punk has Edmonton roots
Before Bruce McCulloch became a dad who wears pyjamas in the daytime and lives in the Hollywood Hills, before he became a comedy star in Kids in the Hall, he was a young drunk punk in Edmonton. There’s the perfect title of the one-man show he’s bringing to the Arden Theatre on Jan. 27: Young […]
The Book of Mormon comes to Edmonton
The Book of Mormon – the musical – is coming to Edmonton, but fans of the popular Broadway show written and produced by the creators of South Park will have to wait more than year to see it. Part of Broadway Across Canada’s next touring season announced this week, the Book of Mormon will play […]
REVIEW: Timberlake goes for soul overkill
Justin Timberlake’s The 20/20 Experience was more than just a pop concert. It was soul overkill. Any possibility of subtlety or spontaneity was mercilessly crushed under a relentless barrage of pure bombast, over-arranged, over-played, overwrought. Timberlake may want to be like Prince, but he is the Meat Loaf of R&B. You can’t blame the guy. […]
Top 10 Edmonton albums of 2013
Perhaps Edmonton’s small number of live venues forces artists to refine their talents before they can find their way onto one of our stages. Perhaps it’s that many of the city’s most talented musicians ply their craft in a number of projects, spanning across genres, resulting in not only increased skill but a more rounded […]
