MUSIC PREVIEW: Locals before Timberlake

MUSIC PREVIEW: Locals before Timberlake

While many in the city eagerly await Justin Timberlake’s 20/20 Experience to descend upon the city Monday and Tuesday – with still a few tickets available – this weekend once again sees a pair of debut release parties amongst a bevy of great local talent performing around town. Given how much we’ve been hearing about […]

MUSIC: Mixtape Club launches with Vonnegut tribute

MUSIC: Mixtape Club launches with Vonnegut tribute

It didn’t take Jesse Northey long to become ensconced in Edmonton’s music scene. He’s only been here two months. The University of Lethbridge recording program grad quickly landed jobs mixing sound at the Artery, one of our coolest music venues, and as an engineer at Riverdale Recorders, whose clients include some of Edmonton’s coolest bands. […]

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: Savage Montreal invasion

MUSIC PREVIEW: Savage Montreal invasion

What is it about Montreal that the city produces such buzz-worthy artists? The studies continue with the appearance of Sean Nicholas Savage, who is in town at the Artery Saturday night. In 2011 the eclectic Montrealer took a bold step and released a trio of pop albums on Arbutus Records, each with its own vibe, […]

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: Aoki dokey to eclectic weekend

MUSIC PREVIEW: Aoki dokey to eclectic weekend

While all eyes are on Rexall Place for Sunday night’s performance by the renowned Trent Reznor and Nine Inch Nails, the rest of the weekend promises a little something for everyone. From top electronic with Steve Aoki, to folk-rock with The Stanfields and Chris Carrabba’s new project, Twin Forks, all the way to country and […]

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: 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: It’s not the band I hate, it’s their fans

MUSIC PREVIEW: It’s not the band I hate, it’s their fans

Pop quiz: Name the album that was voted the No. 1 Canadian album OF ALL TIME by respondents to a Chart magazine poll. The answer may surprise any but true Sloan fans – and there are lot of them, an entire generation moved by the iconic Toronto quartet’s ground-breaking 1994 album “Twice Removed,” which contains […]

Foreign Musician Fee Fracas: It’s not the end of the world

Foreign Musician Fee Fracas: It’s not the end of the world

What’s a guy gotta do to get an LMO exemption around here?! There’s a good pick up line next time you’re in your favourite local bar or coffee shop – where you probably be seeing a lot more true blue Canadian live music now that sneaky government fees on foreign workers have been imposed. Employers […]

MUSIC PREVIEW: Sonic Boom to end summer with a bang

MUSIC PREVIEW: Sonic Boom to end summer with a bang

This year’s edition of Sonic Boom, the first to span two days, has grown into one of Edmonton’s most renowned music festivals – and organizers have brought in some serious heavy hitters to keep it that way. Saturday begins with REND, the band that won a local competition among Sonic “Bands of the Months” to […]