Mumford sells out, KISS does not, bots win again

Mumford sells out, KISS does not, bots win again

It was a busy day at Ticketmaster in Edmonton on Friday morning as Mumford and Sons went on sale, promptly selling out, at the same time as Kiss, which did not. Shout it out loud: Modern rock 1, classic rock 0. In the case of Mumford, at Rexall Place May 22, it’s a lot of […]

April Fool’s prank goes awry! Dozens outraged!

April Fool’s prank goes awry! Dozens outraged!

Baby boomers born and raised in Edmonton still talk about an epic April Fool’s joke played by 630 CHED, which in the early ‘70s was the only station everyone listened to: Ed-Tel will blow all the dust out of the phone lines at precisely 7:30 am on April 1, so the public is warned to […]

INTERVIEW: All but Bon Jovi, because they can

INTERVIEW: All but Bon Jovi, because they can

In the important work of journalism as the unofficial PR wing of the entertainment business, there is the dreaded “teleconference” – a great way for busy rock stars to polish off a big wad of interviews in one sitting. But do you get a good story? Hard to tell. So it was with Bon Jovi […]

REVIEW: Rihanna a rock star at Rexall Place

REVIEW: Rihanna a rock star at Rexall Place

Rihanna would need the assistance of Iron Maiden to rock her way out of a wet paper bag – but she sure carried the attitude of a swaggering lifer to the hedonic world of rock ‘n’ roll excess at Rexall Place on Wednesday night. Led Zeppelin, Queen, Maiden, and yes, even you guys in Spinal […]

Air quotes optional at ‘live’ dance festival

Air quotes optional at ‘live’ dance festival

How to be a “live” DJ: Step 1: Show up Step 2: Push play Step 3: Collect $50,000 Just kidding. Fifty grand might be a little low for Calvin Harris’s guarantee. But how diabolically clever. DJs are among the few recording artists who can still make a living by making records – i.e., making them […]

Marvelous Mumford in the merry month of May!

Marvelous Mumford in the merry month of May!

Ask and ye shall receive: Mumford and Sons are coming to Edmonton – and if you still think they’re still just a bunch of Muppets, you haven’t been paying attention. One of the buzziest buzz bands in the world plays its first Edmonton show Wednesday, May 22 at Rexall Place, part of some fresh dates […]

Where will Rihanna get her Canadian weed?

Where will Rihanna get her Canadian weed?

When Rihanna came to Edmonton in 2011, there was said to be distinct reek of pot backstage at Rexall Place. One Edmonton police officer on duty that night described a “fog” in the hallway outside the dressing rooms. The cops held their noses and looked the other way. Busting a headliner for weed 30 minutes […]

Raffi fights for the rights of the very young

Raffi fights for the rights of the very young

For someone who “accidentally” became a children’s entertainer, Raffi sure has thrown himself into it with a passion. Playing at the Winspear Centre on Sunday, his work has ranged far beyond merely singing singable songs for the very young. Never mind Bananaphone. Raffi has become a global crusader for child welfare. A number of points […]

Bob Seger returns in May, marks spring in Edmonton

Bob Seger returns in May, marks spring in Edmonton

That was fast. Bob Seger and the Silver Bullet Band have determined that it should be spring in Edmonton by Saturday, May 11, when they have rebooked Rexall Place after cancelling Thursday’s concert due to extremely crappy weather. The 67-year-old rock legend was concerned “about the safety and well-being of his fans.” Fans may even […]

THEATRE: Kenneth Brown and Tim Hortons a marriage made in heaven

THEATRE: Kenneth Brown and Tim Hortons a marriage made in heaven

“We didn’t know if Tim Hortons was going to sue us or adopt us,” says Kenneth Brown on his new play set in Canada’s favourite coffee shop. It’s called – you had to see this coming – Double Double. Timmy’s people did ask to look at the script: a romantic comedy between two 40-something divorced […]

Make Something Edmonton made in Edmonton – so far, so good

Make Something Edmonton made in Edmonton – so far, so good

Here’s a small sign you might doing something right in your town: When the Mayor forms a task force based on your idea. So it is with local writer and neo-marketing guru Todd Babiak, whose “Make Something Edmonton” project will turn into an $800,000 campaign to help Edmontonians develop a better attitude towards Edmonton. The […]

WHO NAMED THE BAND: Captain Tractor sails 20 years

WHO NAMED THE BAND: Captain Tractor sails 20 years

It’s hard to be taken seriously when your band name is a joke. “Captain Tractor” was coined 20 years ago by an actual comedian, one Neil Grahn, current TV guy and former member of Edmonton’s legendary comedy troupe Three Dead Trolls in a Baggie. He was playing on the “superhero” idea for his friends, a […]