Metal culture exploded at Shredmonton
Posted on May 1, 2016 By Mike Ross culture, Entertainment, Front Slider, Music
There are a lot of funny things about heavy metal culture – and it’s not clear if metalheads are in on the joke. For instance: BAND NAMES: Dying Fetus is one of the shockingly named bands playing the inaugural Shredmonton, a heavy metal conference and showcase happening May 6-8. Also on the list are bands […]
REVIEW: Annie old, not tired
Posted on May 1, 2016 By Colin MacLean Archive, Entertainment, Front Slider, Theatre
You might be thinking that the Broadway Across Canada production of Annie currently at the Jubilee Auditorium might be a little old and tired. You might think that in Edmonton, near the end of its long run of road shows, the cast might be phoning it in. Well, it doesn’t take more than 20 seconds […]
REVIEW: West Side Story a vibrant revival
Posted on April 29, 2016 By Colin MacLean Entertainment, entertainment, Front Slider, Theatre
Back in 2005 when director Bob Baker brought his superlative production of West Side Story to the Citadel there was a feeling of it being “unfinished” – the run ended too soon. Audiences were clamouring for tickets – the performers certainly felt they had more to offer. But it was a co-production with a Calgary […]
Eagles of Death Metal: The Rock Must Go On
Posted on April 29, 2016 By Mike Ross Archive, Entertainment, Front Slider, life, Music
At the Eagles of Death Metal concert in Edmonton Thursday night, frontman Jesse Hughes didn’t say much about the Paris terrorist attacks that killed 90 of the band’s fans in November of 2015. Their merchandise man Nick Alexander was among the victims. “It’s been a weird couple of months – and we needed you tonight!” […]
MUSIC PREVIEW: M83 blows up real good
Posted on April 27, 2016 By Michael Senchuk Entertainment, Front Slider, Music
The French electronic music quintet known as M83, now based out of Los Angeles, is enjoying huge success thanks to their unique electro-pop sound and one insanely popular track, Midnight City, off their 2011 album Hurry Up We’re Dreaming. The band has been touring hard ever since, and plays a sold-out show at the Winspear […]
Cheap Trick review: We’re all alright
Posted on April 24, 2016 By Mike McDonald Entertainment, Front Slider, Music, news
Rock ‘n’ roll took a devastating blow a few days ago, leaving fans heavy with sadness at the abrupt shock of it all. But, the rock has got to roll. For a couple of hours Saturday night at the River Cree Casino, fans respectfully traded purple for black and white checkerboard – because Cheap Trick […]
Rihanna shines bright like a diamond
Posted on April 21, 2016 By Mike Ross Archive, Entertainment, Front Slider, Music
Funny how Rihanna didn’t talk about playing Edmonton on 4/20 – seeing how it’s no secret she’s into weed. Maybe because in such a tightly-scripted Cirque du Diva spectacular there’s no room for empty patter about ridiculous redundant weed holidays. Maybe for some people, every day is 4/20. Who cares? Can’t we be mature about […]
MUSIC PREVIEW: Cheap Trick class act
Posted on April 20, 2016 By Mike Ross Entertainment, Front Slider, Music
For all the complaining from members of the Rock and Roll Hall of Fame about the Rock and Roll Hall of Fame, they still get to stick “Member of the Rock and Roll Hall of Fame” to their names – and that’s no cheap boast. Speaking of which, Cheap Trick – member of the Rock […]
REVIEW: Hair a joyful 1960s revival
Posted on April 16, 2016 By Colin MacLean Entertainment, entertainment, Front Slider, Music, Theatre
The 1960s were the “dawning of the Age of Aquarius” – Aquarius being the sixth sign of the zodiac. Society was in ferment, hippies were in the streets, the sexual revolution was upon us, the Vietnam war was polarizing American society – and Hair was on Broadway. Audiences both loved it (“…sloppy, vulgar and terrific”) […]
MUSIC PREVIEW: Sloan ranger, away!
Posted on April 13, 2016 By Michael Senchuk Entertainment, Front Slider, Music
The revered Halifax act Sloan brings their One Chord To Another 20 year anniversary tour to Edmonton this weekend, playing a sold out gig at the Needle Vinyl Tavern on Friday. The indie rockers have managed to retain their four member roster throughout their evolutions and devolutions, from their debut full-length Smeared in 1992, through […]