MUSIC PREVIEW: Pride, in the name of love
“Pride” has come to mean so many different things since it was shortened from “Gay Pride.” It’s pride for your own sexual identity, be you gay, bi, trans, somewhat curious or simply straight and supportive of the rights of all of the above in a lengthening cluster of LGBTQQIP2SAA consonants become so unwieldy that only […]
Wickham gives the skinny on 64 folk fest acts
Every year the entire media of Edmonton assemble for a spring ritual – to hear Edmonton Folk Music Festival producer Terry Wickham talk about who’s coming to the festival this year, and to show us why we should care. He cares. That makes a big difference. Every year, he educates the press on another crop […]
Prince still Sexy MF in musician’s memory
Local soulman Jeff Hendrick has picked an interesting tune to pay homage to Prince at the tribute show on Friday. It’s one of the late great artist’s best songs (from among many), from one of his best albums (among many): the 1992 release whose title was the symbol Prince once changed his name to (long […]
Twenty One Pilots to headline Sonic Boom
This year’s edition of Sonic Boom has revealed a solid line-up of acts that don’t easily fit into any musical genre save for “alternative” – which is apparently the whole idea. Twenty One Pilots tops the bill for the annual music festival happening in Borden Park Sept. 3-4. The duo, which doesn’t so much defy […]
Varscona Theatre REBORN!
A packed house of enthusiastic friends and supporters helped raise the curtain on Edmonton’s newest theatre on Saturday night – the new Varscona. The curtain is more than a metaphor. For the first time in its history the Varscona actually has a curtain – a large, voluptuous wine coloured velvet drape that splits apart to […]
Burger Baron has beef with Twitter Troll
Most local media people agree that the Bogus Burger Baron Twitter Takedown of Graham Hicks was EPIC. Even Hicks himself liked it. The Edmonton Sun columnist had written up the venerable burger joint in a March 2016 piece rating Edmonton’s best fast food burgers: “The patties were reminiscent of ’60s TV dinner steakettes. The vaunted […]
Nickelback to headline Alberta Fire Aid Benefit
A who’s who of the cream of Canadian country and rock artists are banding together to raise money for Fort McMurray fire victims. Many of them have deep connections to Alberta. Announced yesterday, Nickelback (from Hanna, Alberta) will top a bill that also features Alberta legend Ian Tyson, along with Blue Rodeo, Randy Bachman, Corb […]
MUSIC PREVIEW: Oh Wonder lives up to name
The aptly-named band Oh Wonder continues to to support their standout 2015 eponymous release on an anything-but-traditional rise to fame and glory – and Edmonton is lucky to get them on Monday night at the Starlite Room. The British duo Josephine Vander Gucht and Anthony West crafted the album by writing, recording, and releasing one […]
Brother Octopus a weird band in a weird town
Brother Octopus may claim to be an actual octopus, but his – its – music is completely and utterly human. Scan their lyrics for cephalopodic references. There aren’t any. They write songs that deal with childhood: “Do you remember when the floor was lava, only the sofa was safe to travel?” With the future: “If […]
Courage! There is hope for Gord Downie
It’s been an emotional day for Canadian music fans, with the sad and sudden news that Tragically Hip frontman Gordon Downie has terminal brain cancer – and that after receiving treatment, his doctor has given him the OK to proceed with a tour of selected Canada towns this summer. UPDATE: The dates announced Wednesday include […]
