Sonic Boom 2015 reveals eclectic lineup
Maybe we could call Sonic Boom 2015 our own little Coachella – given the somewhat “eclectic” nature of the line-up announced Wednesday morning. It’s all over the map – musically and literally. Tickets go on sale May 1. Along with the hardcore punk band Alexisonfire previously announced, we’ll get to see Hozier – the Take […]
The Milk Carton Kids come to the Winspear
Has “The New Everly Brothers” been taken yet? It has? OK, so whoever has it, please give it to the Milk Carton Kids. The “Simon & Garfunkel of Modern Times” will also be acceptable. Celebrated for leading the way when it comes to nu-folk with lovely acoustic guitarsmithery, touching songs and sweet, sweet two-part vocal […]
Barenaked Ladies Version 2 returns to Edmonton
It was tough there for a while, but Barenaked Ladies have proven themselves a worthy creative force without their former lead singer Steven Page (who left in 2009 in the wake of a cocaine scandal) – and survived all the jokes about them being the Canadian Van Halen minus either David Lee Roth or Sammy […]
SONiC Boom 2015 to happen on real grass
Overheard at Sonic Boom 2015 (from the future): Hey, man, what’s that wrinkly thing with the green stuff all over it? It’s a tree, dude! They’re all over the place! Cool, can we smoke it? Well, anyway, there’s good news on the Edmonton concert front: The SONiC Boom alternative rock festival has been moved from […]
Neil Young to Honour the Treaties in Edmonton
There are few rock stars who have been as critical of the Alberta Oil Sands as Neil Young – and now he’s putting his music where is mouth is. So to speak. Part political event, part Neil Young concert, his “Honour the Treaties” show happens Friday, July 3 at Rexall Place, part of a cross-Canada […]
REVIEW: Def Leppard past its prime
It was a tough night on the entertainment front Thursday night in Edmonton. Leadership debate, or Def Leppard concert. Some choice. More than 12,000 Edmontonians paid good money not to sit at home and watch the carnage on TV, instead plunking their patooties on hard plastic to hear the British band take a run through […]
Stones back-up singer comes to Edmonton Jazz Festival
You may not have heard of Lisa Fischer – the latest headliner announced for the Edmonton International Jazz Festival June 19-28 at venues around town – but a lot of famous people sure have. At the Winspear Centre Monday, June 22 with Carribbean dubstep band Grand Baton, Fischer has sung back-up vocals for The Rolling […]
MUSIC PREVIEW: Who is Machi? I Am Machi
There’s a good reason there are so many two-piece drum-and-guitar bands in the vein of the White Stripes. You make more money when you split the take two ways. But seriously: having only two musicians in a band means it can do more with less, and go wherever it wants to, whether it comes to […]
Motley Crue to come back one more time
Omigod, Mötley Crüe is coming back to Edmonton – just months after promising to go away forever. Is there nothing these guys can’t get away with?! Technicality. The band has put Rexall Place on the map for Saturday, Dec. 12 in a slew of extra dates “due to overwhelming fan demand” for its Final Tour, […]
To the B’s: Brandt and Brody to hit Edmonton
Area country fans are advised to prepare themselves for the coming of a double shot of pure Western Canadian music in the form of two of our biggest male stars: Paul Brandt and Dean Brody. The two will share a bill at Rexall Place on Wednesday, Sept. 30, with the female opening act to balance […]
Sister Gray: Tell me what I’m supposed to be
Welcome to another music interview where promising new artists are told what famous bands they sound like, and then asked to respond. Edmonton’s own Sister Gray can be compared to Blondie or Joan Jett or the Bangles, almost any female rock band of yore, most especially Heart, because Sister Gray is fronted by two sisters, […]
McGowans rediscover True Spirit of 420
420 has to be the most redundant, ridiculous holiday ever invented. Every hour of every day is 420 for its most chronic celebrants. Why bother? “I guess it’s kind of like how people have Christmas in their hearts all year round, but still celebrate on that one day,” says Mark McGowan of the McGowan Family […]
