Neil Young postpones Edmonton appearance
The expected political debate to arise from the appearance of Neil Young in Edmonton is going to have to wait. The Canadian folk-rock legend has postponed his July 3 show at Rexall Place, which was part of a special tour to support the “Honour the Treaties” campaign in the fight against Tar Sands development. No […]
Janet Jackson comes to Edmonton
‘Tis indeed the Year of the Diva. The one and only Janet Jackson is the latest female superstar to be announced for Edmonton’s already busy concert schedule. She performs at Rexall Place on Friday, Sept. 4, part of Jackson’s Unbreakable World Tour, in support of her upcoming album. Tickets are $29 to $125 – with […]
MUSIC PREVIEW: Ed Sheeran sheer brilliance
Is there anyone hotter in the music world right now than Ed Sheeran? That’s a rhetorical question. You don’t need to answer: Of course he is. No surprise. Sheeran has a knack for attracting all manner of fans with all manner of musical genres. He’s definitely got the pop melodies down pat. His love of […]
Flaming Lips added to Sonic Boom bill
OK, Sonic Boom, now we’re talking. The addition of the great Flaming Lips to an already packed bill of modern rock goodness has banished any possible doubts remaining about Edmonton’s annual Labour Day music festival – taking place this year Sept. 5-6 in Borden Park, just down the road from the old parking lot location […]
A Blues Hall of Fame in Edmonton is a natural
Edmonton has as much claim to be the home of the blues as Cleveland has for the heart of Rock and Roll – and yet here we are. The Edmonton Blues Hall of Fame will hold its second annual induction celebration Sunday, June 7 at Blues on Whyte; Maurice John Vaughn, Hans Stamer, Nancy Nash […]
MUSIC PREVIEW: Imagine Dragons imagine drums
They didn’t start it, but Imagine Dragons rides high in the vanguard of a new trend in live performance: Everybody gets a drum! It’s exciting when everybody gets a drum. Try this fun drinking game during the band’s show at Rexall Place Saturday night: Take a swig every time you spot someone other than the […]
Sinead O’Connor returns to Edmonton folk fest
Some people told Terry Wickham it was “very brave” or him to book Sinead O’Connor at the Edmonton Folk Music Festival this summer – her first appearance since 1997. But as the producer said during Wednesday’s annual line-up announcement – revealing an eclectic bill ranging from Of Monsters and Men to Brandi Carlile – Sinead […]
Three Days Grace returns to Edmonton in November
Three Days Grace has come a long way from being that band with that song about hating everything about you. Nihilism sells, of course, and the Ontario band has been riding high on I Hate Everything About You ever since it came out in 2003 – and now is announcing a major Canadian headlining tour […]
Tail Creek Festival moves to the Shaw
No creek, no mud, no rain – but almost all the live music will remain for the Tail Creek Mud & Music Festival, now moved to the Shaw Conference Centre for the Canada Day Long Weekend. With Limp Bizkit (above) headlining on Friday, June 26, and Billy Talent (below) and Bad Religion topping the bill […]
Mad hatters mar their music
There is no good reason for a musician to wear a hat on stage – unless they’re sensitive about being bald, or protecting their head from the elements, or keeping their hair out of their eyes, or if it’s part of a costume or uniform. Other than that, BEWARE: it’s a sure sign they’re going […]
MUSIC PREVIEW: Great Lake Swimmers gaining ground
Fans of the folk-rock genre are in for a treat Friday night with the return of the Great Lake Swimmers, no strangers to our landlocked province. The Toronto band struck a chord with almost every Canadian partial to the genre with their 2012 release New Wild Everywhere, a torrent of emotions and exceptional musicianship from […]
Apocalyptica: Heavy metal on heavy wood
We might like to imagine that it was us clever North Americans who came up with the awesome idea to play Metallica songs with cellos – or that we had the shameless determination to make it more than just novelty. But no, Apocalyptica is another fine Scandinavian import. Part of the rich legacy of music […]
