EMO-BRO: Dierks Bentley brings feelings to Edmonton
Seriously, there’s another bro-country bro coming to town?! Which one of these bros is which, anyway? And which one of these articles about bro-country is which, for that matter? Like their subjects, they’re all the same. But let us not be so hasty as we examine the evidence in the case of one Dierks Bentley, […]
Beware the Invasion of The Voice judges!
What band at what festival recently had a song along the lines of “There is not any rest for the wicked?” We honestly can’t remember, because it’s onto the next thing already. Concert announcements are dropping like flies. This just in, the Invasion of The Voice Judges continues (Maroon 5 with Adam Levine just announced): […]
Maroon 5 returns to Rexall in early 2015
Recent news of the Maroon 5 world tour was met with great rejoicing amongst enthusiasts of finely-crafted pop music – because as anyone with an ear for music knows, for every 10 one-hit flavours of the radio this week, there is only one Maroon 5. Tickets go ON SALE Saturday, Sept. 13 for the band’s […]
REVIEW: The smalls go big at Sonic Boom
Fears that the smalls were going to be out of place – and out of their league – for their reunion show at Sonic Boom 2014 were banished soon enough. Greatness shines through. Performing a suppertime set at Northlands on Sunday, the smalls are different, no doubt about it. Next to a weekend sparkling with […]
MUSIC PREVIEW: Sonic Boom blows up real good
The last of the city’s big music festivals takes over Edmonton this weekend, with the ever-expanding Sonic Boom spanning Friday to Sunday at Northlands. Friday the music gets underway at 5 pm with the Mounties (you may remember them from the hit Headphones in 2013). The beloved New Pornographers, who have a new album ready […]
Sound of Edmonton like one hand clapping
The problem with calling your music documentary Sound of Edmonton is that there isn’t one. No one sticks around long enough. Is there hope in the next generation? Most of the subjects in Evan van Ramshorst’s low budget short film are in their 20s: The oldest is probably Wunderbar owner Craig Martellica, and he’s over […]
FRINGE: Revenge of the Reviewed!
Fringe artists have had a tempestuous relationship with their critics since there was Fringe. It’s symbiotic. Artists need critics. Critics need things to criticize. As local theatre guru Kenneth Brown says, “Intelligent criticism is a vital part of theatrical culture.” Artists court the media’s favour to drum up ticket sales. They depend on favourable reviews […]
MUSIC PREVIEW: Beverly to party like it’s 1929
Pull up a stump, children, grandpa’s got a story for you! Why, I remember back in Olde Towne Beverly on summer weekends, when after a hard week of lubricating coal seams, me and the boys would treat ourselves to a Carling Black Lung Label at the local speakeasy. The women could shop for frilly niceties […]
MUSIC PREVIEW: One Fringe to rule them all
There is a condition unique to Edmonton – or any other winter city, for that matter – called Seasonal Hyperactive Festival Exhaustion Disorder, or SHAFED, that results in such a manic rush of summer fun that events that would normally merit full attention get shafted. Such is the case with the Fringe – the biggest […]
