MUSIC PREVIEW: An embarrassment of riches
What a world! Anyone make their own records. You can literally do it in your own bedroom now. The downside: Anyone can make their own records. There are, at rough count, SIX worthy Edmonton artists releasing new records this weekend. Take your pick: Alt-country from Pal Joey, singer-songwriter from Amy van Keeken, roots-rock from Bobby […]
Shania Twain aims high for comeback-farewell
Eyebrows have been raised with news of Shania Twain’s comeback-farewell tour in one, coming to Edmonton for not one, but two shows at Rexall Place, June 11-12, with top tickets – on sale March 13 – going for almost $200. Who does she think she is, Madonna? A lot has changed since the Canadian country […]
A Christian band in a secular world
White Lightning can’t hide the fact they’re a Christian band – though there are no explicit references to Jesus in their music. You can just hear it: Zippy, poppy, catchy numbers brimming with life-affirming positivity. Also, just look at them. The Edmonton groove-rock trio releases its new four song EP, 1979, with a show at […]
Madonna comes to Edmonton in October
Edmonton has long been a bellwether for superstardom in the concert industry. If they’re coming all the way here, they’re either on their way up or on their way down. Then again, Madonna is such a music marketing powerhouse that she may be capable of being both at the same time. So all hail the […]
Lip syncing thrives in concert karaoke
The Quixotic quest to get warning labels on concert tickets appears to be a non-starter. Imagine: “PARENTAL ADVISORY: Portions of tonight’s ‘live’ concert will contain pre-recorded backing tracks” … only in your dreams. “There are no plans to require concert promoters to print warnings on tickets regarding pre-recorded material,” says the Alberta government. “I’ve never […]
Aerosmith to draw Blue Army in Fort McMurray
Aerosmith’s legions of fans are sometimes referred to as the “Blue Army,” because they all wear blue jeans and blue jean jackets and work in blue collar jobs, while some of the band’s oldest fans are even old enough to have blue hair – not to mention the band members themselves. Way to pinpoint that […]
MUSIC PREVIEW: McMorrow the real deal
Sam Smith gets all the attention – and a big “hey, thanks, man!” from Tom Petty – for his high voice and soulful sincerity, but there’s a guy coming to the Winspear Centre on Tuesday, Feb. 24 who could sing circles around Sam Smith – and no one will say it kinda sorta sounds like […]
MUSIC PREVIEW: Hip folk forever
For folk fans who find all that new-fangled hipster folk at the folk fest a little off-putting, Winterfest 2015 just might be up your hill. This is a pure Canadian folk deal. Are they not hip? Let it be known that the acts performing at this three-day event in Fiddler’s Roost were – and in […]
AC/DC to Rock or Bust in Edmonton
The last time AC/DC came to town – at the Commonwealth Stadium on Aug. 27, 2009 – a terrible thunderstorm broke out in the middle of their show. More than 50,000 fans got completely drenched, along with the band on stage and all their equipment. We learned later authorities had come within a hair’s breadth […]
Jim Head and the MacEwan music legacy
In the wake of being nominated for his first Juno award, local jazz guitarist Jim Head reveals the secret to making it as a jazz musician in Edmonton: “If you’re the last man standing when the smoke clears.” In other words, if you spend years learning your art, more years paying your dues eating Kraft […]
Ed Sheeran to headline Edmonton in June
Taylor Swift knows a good man when she hears him, and when Taylor Swift speaks, people listen. Two years after opening for the pop queen in Edmonton, Ed Sheeran is big enough to headline the big buildings on his own. The British star plays Rexall Place on Sunday, June 14. Tickets start at $64.50 and […]
Imagine Dragons to play Rexall in June
Imagine one of the most imaginative new indie rock bands finally being given a building big enough to fit their … er, imaginations. Imagine no more! For Imagine Dragons will be playing Rexall Place on Saturday, June 6, on tour behind their new album Smoke + Mirrors. With the opening act Metric, tickets start at […]