MUSIC PREVIEW: They Might Be Giants stomp into Edmonton
The Gods of indie rock have smiled on Edmonton once again – They Might Be Giants is coming to town. At the Starlite Friday night, this unusual band has spanned genres and decades with the sort of introspective, esoteric, insufferably quirky and intelligent pop music that’s so hard to pin down it comes unravelled in […]
MUSIC PREVIEW: Major crush on Major Love
Major Love is being touted as this city’s new supergroup – and there’s more than a little truth to that statement. Led by the extraordinary musical wizardry of Colleen Brown, who’s released some stellar solo material herself, when a chance meeting with the braintrust of Scenic Route To Alaska in England led to a group […]
MUSIC PREVIEW: It’s a Barbie World!
If anyone’s looking for a blast from the past this weekend – in the opposite direction of the typical classic rock gig, look no further than the Rewind Tour at River Cree Casino on Friday night. Aqua will be performing. Yes, that’s right, the Norwegian Eurodance group that burst onto the scene with their 1997 […]
MUSIC PREVIEW: Field Day Surprise Mystery Festival!
For radio listeners who tune in just for the tunes, SONIC Field Day is a great opportunity to see a band whose name you may not recognize (because you don’t stick around to hear the names of the bands) – and then experience the thrill of seeing them live for the first time and being […]
MUSIC PREVIEW: Fee Fie Foo Fum
Next Tuesday night the legendary Foo Fighters are in town – this time to promote their latest full-length Concrete and Gold, which was released last September. Like most of their albums, it reached No. 1 on charts around the world, from the United States and Canada to Norway and Ireland. Though probably a little more […]
MUSIC PREVIEW: Rockfest scores SAGA
For music fans still in the outdoor festival spirit – and really, who isn’t – the action this weekend shifts upriver to Hawrelak Park for the annual Edmonton Rock Music Festival. This is classic rock at its biggest and brightest, and the organizers have done a commendable job putting together some impressive names throughout the […]
MUSIC PREVIEW: Deathcore takes a holiday
This weekend features two evenings of deathcore bands whose itineraries find them in our fair city. The first is Thursday night, when the Massachusetts band The Acacia Strain (above) lands in town at the Starlite Room. Ably supported by Left Behind, I Am, and Arrival Of Autumn, frontman and leader Vincent Bennett’s band has an […]
MUSIC PREVIEW: Interstellar life discovered!
Heritage Amphitheatre in Hawrelak Park will once again host the Interstellar Rodeo this weekend. It’s a beautiful, open air venue, but still roofed so one need not concern themselves with the crazy whims of our prairie weather. This festival has become known for their eclectic yet buzzworthy headliners and supporting acts. This year is no […]
Raygun Cowboys ride the lightning
Going to a Raygun Cowboys concert is like being transported to the world of The Outsiders, in between the Greasers and the Socs – except no one gets hurt in the mosh pit. There are other guarantees from this colourful local psychobilly band – fun, laughter, dancing until your feet hurt, and a strong sense […]
MUSIC PREVIEW: A Sures thing
Ben Sures has made a lot of waves in Edmonton since he moved here from Winnipeg more than 20 years ago. Now ensconced as one of the leading lights of the local music scene, Sures never seems to do the same thing twice. He’s worked with a wide variety of musicians in a wide variety […]
MUSIC PREVIEW: Ocean Alley a trip
Not many bands would attempt a crazy mix of psych, rock, and reggae into a heady blender all their own – but it works for Ocean Alley. This Sydney, Australia band’s pair of EPs and a similar pair of full-lengths are full of rising anthemic crescendos, a not-so-subtle funk, and hooks galore. Their track The […]
MUSIC PREVIEW: Weird Al dares to be original
Here, finally, comes the true test for “Weird Al” Yankovic – an entire concert based on his own songs. Wait, what? He has his own songs? A whole show? Like that polka medley he always does? More than that. True fans know Weird Al composes his own music – quirky stylistic homages that might as […]
