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 […]

MUSIC PREVIEW: Rockin’ New Year’s Eve!

MUSIC PREVIEW: Rockin’ New Year’s Eve!

Edmonton’s eclectic music scene always throws down some mean New Year’s Eve parties, and this year may take the proverbial cake. The biggest draw may be over at the Starlite Room, where local legends Shout Out Out Out Out are headlining. The dance-punk group featuring two drummers were somewhat quiet this year, but they’re going […]

MUSIC PREVIEW: Two Bears North among cream of the crop

MUSIC PREVIEW: Two Bears North among cream of the crop

It’s a banner weekend for live music fans in the city, as a pair of extraordinary albums are being released, with parties to celebrate both of them. And celebrate we should, as both are among the cream of the crop of releases this year by Edmonton artists, in what has undoubtedly been an incredible year […]

MUSIC PREVIEW: Life beyond The Hip

MUSIC PREVIEW: Life beyond The Hip

Paul Langlois joined the Tragically Hip in 1986, just three years after the band’s founding by Gordon Downie and friends, and just one year before their historic debut EP was released. Since then, well, nobody needs an introduction to The Hip, do they? They’ve played in Edmonton at least 25 times since back in the […]

MUSIC PREVIEW: Old school vs. new school

MUSIC PREVIEW: Old school vs. new school

There are a surprising number of exceptional options this weekend for being so late in the year, including the Sonic Band of the Month showcase featuring Death By Robot, and a homecoming gig for the beloved Christian Hansen. Interesting, too, is an old school versus new school rap battle. It’s Shaggy at the Union Hall […]

MUSIC PREVIEW: The show must go on

MUSIC PREVIEW: The show must go on

There’s a trio of rock bands performing in Edmonton in short order that are on the very cusp of making it very big – Strumbellas, Boreal Sons, and Belle Game. Until then, here’s one that’s already huge: the one and only Slayer, which performs Monday night at the Shaw Conference Centre (6:30 pm, $49.50 plus […]

MUSIC PREVIEW: Country giants among us

MUSIC PREVIEW: Country giants among us

It’s been a bit of a disappointing week here in the city, what with two major shows being cancelled in the last six days – first Deer Tick (family emergency), and then Pink (laryngitis and inflamed vocal cords). It’s getting so that you need an injury roster to track your favourite bands, much like hockey […]

MUSIC PREVIEW: Women of rock, pop rule the stage

MUSIC PREVIEW: Women of rock, pop rule the stage

As we look forward to the back-to-back pop spectacular with Sarah Brightman and Pink at Rexall Place next week, there are definitely some worthwhile gigs happening this weekend, including an early show by New York’s The Pretty Reckless over at the Starlite Room on Friday night – featuring Taylor Momsen, one of the most colourful […]

MUSIC PREVIEW: Up to Downtown in fab new fest

MUSIC PREVIEW: Up to Downtown in fab new fest

While Edmonton doesn’t usually host festivals this late into the fall, the inaugural Up + Downtown Music and Arts Festival is about to give it a whirl. Organizers might have positioned themselves well to ensure success during an otherwise festival-free time of year, as they’ve attracted an intriguing cadre of talent-laden regional and touring acts […]

MUSIC PREVIEW: Kaleido festival amps up

MUSIC PREVIEW: Kaleido festival amps up

From humble community event to major city festival, the Kaleido Family Arts Festival takes over the city this weekend along Alberta (118) Avenue – and once again they’ve amped up the live music with a heady mix of touring and local performers that’s sure to please almost every music lover. The Dodos are the headliners […]