MUSIC PREVIEW: Christian Hansen returns with Small Fry

MUSIC PREVIEW: Christian Hansen returns with Small Fry

Christian Hansen is giving himself another chance to go national – from Toronto – with the release of new music that local fans can hear live as the Edmonton expat plays two shows this weekend: an all-ages gig at The Artery on Friday night and a no-minors show Saturday at the Pawn Shop. The new […]

MUSIC PREVIEW: Storm the Bastille!

MUSIC PREVIEW: Storm the Bastille!

It’s no surprise that Saturday’s show with Bastille at the Union Hall sold out moments after its announcement. The band was named as the “British Breakthrough Act” at the 2014 Brit Awards and won’t be playing nightclubs much longer. Originally started as a solo project by London singer-songwriter Dan Smith, the band is best-known for […]

MUSIC PREVIEW: There goes The Neighborhood

MUSIC PREVIEW: There goes The Neighborhood

How fitting that we’re still mired in “Sweater Weather” – since the authors of that hit song, The Neighborhood, play Edmonton’s Union Hall on Saturday night. Formed in 2011, the California band features the vocal talents of Jesse Rutherford, the bright guitar tones of guitarists Jeremy Freedman and Zach Abels, with drummer Brandon Fried. The […]

MUSIC PREVIEW: Covering the spread

MUSIC PREVIEW: Covering the spread

The best this weekend has to offer is spread out over four nights, so if you have the time and inclination, you can take in a lot of extraordinary live music this weekend, beginning with a release party for Ann Vriend’s new album, and continuing all the way through the renowned talents of James Vincent […]

MUSIC PREVIEW: Siiines of Spriiing

MUSIC PREVIEW: Siiines of Spriiing

This weekend features a whole host of can’t-miss gigs – but once again, you won’t be able to see them all. A couple of local bands host always-exciting release parties; one of the city’s most exciting electro acts is performing; the Black Dog continues its legendary Saturday afternoon bill; and a pair of well-known American […]

MUSIC PREVIEW: Wake Owl a hoot

MUSIC PREVIEW: Wake Owl a hoot

To have Vancouver claim the great band Wake Owl as its own may be a little misleading – because its singer-songwriter Colyn Cameron seems to be from a lot of different places. Raised in Southern California, he went off to study organic agriculture in England, then worked on various farms in the UK, Germany, Chile, […]

MUSIC PREVIEW: Attack of The Pack!

MUSIC PREVIEW: Attack of The Pack!

Vancouver noise duo The Pack a.d. doesn’t need any introduction to local music fans. The grinding guitars of Becky Black, and the barely-reigned-in-chaos drumming of Maya Miller have caught the attention of media and public alike throughout the nation, with songs like “Sirens” and in particular “Haunt You”, which was a radio behemoth. The duo […]

MUSIC PREVIEW: Rah Rah leads Saskatchewanian Invasion!

MUSIC PREVIEW: Rah Rah leads Saskatchewanian Invasion!

There’s a four-band bill happening this Saturday at the Artery that just may end up as the best concert of the first quarter in the city. Headlining the event is Regina act Rah Rah, an intriguing blend of indie pop and party folk. With buzzworthy songs like “Arrows” and “Henry” from their sophomore release, and […]

MUSIC PREVIEW: Got a new girl now

MUSIC PREVIEW: Got a new girl now

It’ll be a tough weekend for gigs and gigging, what with Valentine’s Day on Friday night – and the Olympics on TV all weekend, especially now that hockey’s started. But there is nothing more romantic than going to see a rock show with your partner in love, is there? Do yourself a favor and check […]

MUSIC PREVIEW: Vancouver duo a killer

MUSIC PREVIEW: Vancouver duo a killer

Imagine taking the best part of your favorite rock radio station, and the best part of your favorite blues station, pushing it through a high-end juicer and then drinking the result. That may be an apt description of Vancouver duo Harpoonist and the Axe Murderer. Sort of reminiscent of The Black Keys, but a little […]

MUSIC PREVIEW: Folk the weekend

MUSIC PREVIEW: Folk the weekend

This weekend’s gig schedule is filled with a whole lot of folk musicians and singer-songwriters – appropriate to the city’s music scene and also the time of year. Come to think of it, we get great folk all year long. Josh Ritter and Geoff Berner headline shows on both Friday and Saturday night, and then […]

MUSIC PREVIEW: Wednesday Night Heroes return

MUSIC PREVIEW: Wednesday Night Heroes return

While the only big names playing Rexall Place from now through February are the opposing teams the Oilers will play, there’s a lot more to this city’s music scene than hockey arenas. And even if we didn’t have any touring musicians at all, the local music scene has more than enough stellar talent in a […]