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 […]
Local Hiphead at 67 shows and counting
Music critics who complain about being paid to get a free ticket to review the Tragically Hip for the 25th goddamned time should hang their heads in shame in the presence of the Hiphead. Edmonton businessman Michael Schayer is a huge Hiphead. He’s seen the Tragically Hip 67 times – 68 after the band’s show […]
MUSIC PREVIEW: Back to the Hip
Just one week of sleeps remain until The Day of the Hip! Now that Linkin Park has cancelled its Valentine’s Day show (due to an injury suffered by its singer) the Tragically Hip at Rexall Place on Thursday, Feb. 12 is the only Big Rock Show in Edmonton’s February – notwithstanding upcoming local appearances from […]
Journey returns to Edmonton in July
Canada loves its Journey – and doesn’t seem to mind a bit that it’s not even with the original lead singer. One of a handful of acts that carry on successfully with a new frontman, Journey is mounting an extensive tour this summer – only in Canada. Edmonton is on the list. With Filipino singer […]
Weird Al brings Mandatory Fun to River Cree
That “Weird Al” Yankovic has a No. 1 album in Mandatory Fun – his first No. 1, and the first comedy album in half a century to hit No. 1 on Billboard – is either a testament to the pop parodist’s continued greatness, or a sign of a flabby record industry. Maybe it’s a little […]
Theatre community devastated after Roxy fire
People mourn the sudden loss of a beloved building as much as the passing of an old friend – and although no one was injured in the fire that destroyed the historic Roxy Theatre Tuesday morning, the Edmonton theatre community is in a state of shock. Words like “heartbroken” and “devastated” are prevalent in the […]
BAND PHOTOS: Who dares say cheese?
In these dark times, would it kill you to smile? Yes, we’re talking to you: Gangsta rappers, heavy metal dudes and other serious musicians whose artistic expression is so important that only scowls can possibly do it justice. As for you, Bono, wipe that smirk off your face! You can’t win. Taking your band photo […]
MUSIC PREVIEW: Life is a highway sign
Welcome to a special weekend music preview edition of WHO NAMED THE BAND. Have you ever noticed how many Alberta indie bands have names that might be found on road signs? Check it out: Whitemud Drive, Whitemud, Whitehorse (not from Whitehorse), Rural Alberta Advantage, Scenic Route to Alaska, Exit 303 (disbanded), Exits, Next Exit, Connors […]
Ryan Jespersen jumps to CHED
We’re going to be seeing a lot less of Ryan Jespersen in the future – but we’ll be hearing a lot more of him. The 37-year-old broadcaster’s jump from City’s Breakfast Television to host of The Ryan Jespersen Show on 630 CHED is the biggest seismic media shift of 2015 so far. After a week […]
The Cat Empire plays Edmonton in April
Here’s a question music fans have been asking themselves for years: Is there an Australian Arcade Fire? There sure is. Arguably something of an improvement, actually, is the combo known as The Cat Empire, which blends jazz, hip hop, ska, pure pop sensibility and exotic Afro-Latin rhythms into an intoxicating sound that’s won fans all […]
NYE GIGS: Should Auld Lang Syne be forgot?
Should old acquaintance be forgot and never brought to mind? It’s a complicated question from such a sappy song we only hear once a year. Christmas carols you hear a few dozen times for a month, Happy Birthday as many times as you have family members and friends, or acquaintances, but Auld Lang Syne you […]
