5 reasons to see Madonna’s second show in Edmonton
Posted on March 10, 2015 By Mike Ross Entertainment, Front Slider, Music, news
It is due to “overwhelming” demand that a second Madonna show has been added to her first ever appearance in Edmonton: Monday, Oct. 12 at Rexall Place. The Sunday, Oct. 11 show is SOLD OUT. The Queen of Pop tours upon her 13th studio record, Rebel Heart, a free online copy of which comes with […]
Alexisonfire to reform at Sonic Boom
Posted on March 9, 2015 By Mike Ross Entertainment, Front Slider, Music
Sonic Boom is getting to be such a thing that they expect to sell tickets without even announcing the full line-up. Who do they think they are, the Big Valley Jamboree? There’s only one act announced so far for the festival, happening Sept. 5-6 at Northlands, and it’s sure to cause excitement among area alternative […]
Put it where the Sun don’t shine
Posted on March 7, 2015 By Mike Ross culture, Entertainment, Film, Front Slider, Music, Politics, Theatre, TV and Radio
They came to mock, not to bury – but then The Sun News Network suddenly went off the air, leaving a group of local performance artists intent on venting their feelings towards Ezra Levant’s soapbox with a wake instead of a roast. The first – and probably last – presentation of The Scum News Network […]
Alberta punks gone country in Pal Joey
Posted on March 5, 2015 By Mike Ross Entertainment, Front Slider, Music, music
Trent Buhler has fond memories of playing bars in the crumbling 100-year-old downtown building that houses The Artery – soon to be torn down for the LRT – and it is at The Artery where his band Pal Joey stages its stealth comeback with a CD release show Saturday night. For the record: This popular […]
MUSIC PREVIEW: An embarrassment of riches
Posted on March 4, 2015 By Mike Ross Entertainment, Front Slider, Music
What a world! Anyone make their own records. You can literally do it in your own bedroom now. The downside: Anyone can make their own records. There are, at rough count, SIX worthy Edmonton artists releasing new records this weekend. Take your pick: Alt-country from Pal Joey, singer-songwriter from Amy van Keeken, roots-rock from Bobby […]
Shania Twain aims high for comeback-farewell
Posted on March 4, 2015 By Mike Ross Entertainment, Front Slider, Music
Eyebrows have been raised with news of Shania Twain’s comeback-farewell tour in one, coming to Edmonton for not one, but two shows at Rexall Place, June 11-12, with top tickets – on sale March 13 – going for almost $200. Who does she think she is, Madonna? A lot has changed since the Canadian country […]
A Christian band in a secular world
Posted on March 3, 2015 By Mike Ross culture, Entertainment, Front Slider, Music
White Lightning can’t hide the fact they’re a Christian band – though there are no explicit references to Jesus in their music. You can just hear it: Zippy, poppy, catchy numbers brimming with life-affirming positivity. Also, just look at them. The Edmonton groove-rock trio releases its new four song EP, 1979, with a show at […]
Plastic Men shut out at Canadian Screen Awards
Posted on March 2, 2015 By Trent Wilkie Comedy, Entertainment, Film, Front Slider, TV and Radio
Tiny Plastic Men, Edmonton’s sole representative at the 2015 Canadian Screen Awards, went zero-for-three at Sunday night’s ceremony in Toronto – but it was an honour just to be nominated. Really, it was. Mark Meer, who was up for Best Actor in a Continuing Leading Comic Role, was a good sport about the loss, Facebooking […]
Madonna comes to Edmonton in October
Posted on March 2, 2015 By Mike Ross Entertainment, Front Slider, Music, news
Edmonton has long been a bellwether for superstardom in the concert industry. If they’re coming all the way here, they’re either on their way up or on their way down. Then again, Madonna is such a music marketing powerhouse that she may be capable of being both at the same time. So all hail the […]
Viet Cong attacks Artery with dark magic
Posted on March 1, 2015 By Mack Lamoureux Entertainment, Front Slider, Music
This was the last time you’ll be able to see Viet Cong on such a small stage in Edmonton. Given the buzz that this Calgary band has been generating, their history, and the tremendous response to their self-titled debut album barely a month old, this band is headed somewhere big. But for a sold-out crowd […]