Disaster report, Octopus extras, tales of Fjalladrottning
Ben Disaster is the opposite of his name. That is not an Ungentle Ben reference. Disaster is an artist’s musician. Writing songs on his phone or whatever is in reach, with his creativity and dedication to his craft alone, he is most worthy of Sonic’s Band of The Month moniker. With that said, when interviewing Mr. Disaster, it […]
MUSIC PREVIEW: McMorrow the real deal
Sam Smith gets all the attention – and a big “hey, thanks, man!” from Tom Petty – for his high voice and soulful sincerity, but there’s a guy coming to the Winspear Centre on Tuesday, Feb. 24 who could sing circles around Sam Smith – and no one will say it kinda sorta sounds like […]
REVIEW: Tragically Hip fully, completely Canadian rock
Thirty years into their career, the Tragically Hip have managed to turn Canada into their own personal niche market. Their modus operandi continued to be in fine working order for a packed house at Rexall Place in Edmonton Thursday night. Early on in the band’s career, they wrote some songs that referenced America – Last […]
MUSIC PREVIEW: Hip folk forever
For folk fans who find all that new-fangled hipster folk at the folk fest a little off-putting, Winterfest 2015 just might be up your hill. This is a pure Canadian folk deal. Are they not hip? Let it be known that the acts performing at this three-day event in Fiddler’s Roost were – and in […]
AC/DC to Rock or Bust in Edmonton
The last time AC/DC came to town – at the Commonwealth Stadium on Aug. 27, 2009 – a terrible thunderstorm broke out in the middle of their show. More than 50,000 fans got completely drenched, along with the band on stage and all their equipment. We learned later authorities had come within a hair’s breadth […]
Jim Head and the MacEwan music legacy
In the wake of being nominated for his first Juno award, local jazz guitarist Jim Head reveals the secret to making it as a jazz musician in Edmonton: “If you’re the last man standing when the smoke clears.” In other words, if you spend years learning your art, more years paying your dues eating Kraft […]
Ed Sheeran to headline Edmonton in June
Taylor Swift knows a good man when she hears him, and when Taylor Swift speaks, people listen. Two years after opening for the pop queen in Edmonton, Ed Sheeran is big enough to headline the big buildings on his own. The British star plays Rexall Place on Sunday, June 14. Tickets start at $64.50 and […]
Imagine Dragons to play Rexall in June
Imagine one of the most imaginative new indie rock bands finally being given a building big enough to fit their … er, imaginations. Imagine no more! For Imagine Dragons will be playing Rexall Place on Saturday, June 6, on tour behind their new album Smoke + Mirrors. With the opening act Metric, tickets start at […]
Local Hiphead at 67 shows and counting
Music critics who complain about being paid to get a free ticket to review the Tragically Hip for the 25th goddamned time should hang their heads in shame in the presence of the Hiphead. Edmonton businessman Michael Schayer is a huge Hiphead. He’s seen the Tragically Hip 67 times – 68 after the band’s show […]
MUSIC PREVIEW: Back to the Hip
Just one week of sleeps remain until The Day of the Hip! Now that Linkin Park has cancelled its Valentine’s Day show (due to an injury suffered by its singer) the Tragically Hip at Rexall Place on Thursday, Feb. 12 is the only Big Rock Show in Edmonton’s February – notwithstanding upcoming local appearances from […]
