Jason Aldean to bring big country show to Edmonton

Jason Aldean to bring big country show to Edmonton

These country dudes sure rise up the ranks fast. Where not too long ago one might’ve said, “Jason Aldean Who?”, the Georgia boy made good is playing the Big House in Edmonton. Aldean pulls into Rexall Place on Friday, Oct. 4, part of his “Night Train” tour after the smash hit album of the same […]

Mumford sells out, KISS does not, bots win again

Mumford sells out, KISS does not, bots win again

It was a busy day at Ticketmaster in Edmonton on Friday morning as Mumford and Sons went on sale, promptly selling out, at the same time as Kiss, which did not. Shout it out loud: Modern rock 1, classic rock 0. In the case of Mumford, at Rexall Place May 22, it’s a lot of […]

40 years later: KISS returns to rock Edmonton in July

40 years later: KISS returns to rock Edmonton in July

It’s going to be one rowdy class of ’75 high school reunion when Kiss comes to town this summer. It was the year that Kiss Alive! came out, a formative album for many an area hoser with strong memories of those early thrilling, pyro-ridden shows in Edmonton – and all these years and lost hair […]

INTERVIEW: All but Bon Jovi, because they can

INTERVIEW: All but Bon Jovi, because they can

In the important work of journalism as the unofficial PR wing of the entertainment business, there is the dreaded “teleconference” – a great way for busy rock stars to polish off a big wad of interviews in one sitting. But do you get a good story? Hard to tell. So it was with Bon Jovi […]

REVIEW: Rihanna a rock star at Rexall Place

REVIEW: Rihanna a rock star at Rexall Place

Rihanna would need the assistance of Iron Maiden to rock her way out of a wet paper bag – but she sure carried the attitude of a swaggering lifer to the hedonic world of rock ‘n’ roll excess at Rexall Place on Wednesday night. Led Zeppelin, Queen, Maiden, and yes, even you guys in Spinal […]

Air quotes optional at ‘live’ dance festival

Air quotes optional at ‘live’ dance festival

How to be a “live” DJ: Step 1: Show up Step 2: Push play Step 3: Collect $50,000 Just kidding. Fifty grand might be a little low for Calvin Harris’s guarantee. But how diabolically clever. DJs are among the few recording artists who can still make a living by making records – i.e., making them […]

Marvelous Mumford in the merry month of May!

Marvelous Mumford in the merry month of May!

Ask and ye shall receive: Mumford and Sons are coming to Edmonton – and if you still think they’re still just a bunch of Muppets, you haven’t been paying attention. One of the buzziest buzz bands in the world plays its first Edmonton show Wednesday, May 22 at Rexall Place, part of some fresh dates […]

WHO NAMED THE BAND: Captain Tractor sails 20 years

WHO NAMED THE BAND: Captain Tractor sails 20 years

It’s hard to be taken seriously when your band name is a joke. “Captain Tractor” was coined 20 years ago by an actual comedian, one Neil Grahn, current TV guy and former member of Edmonton’s legendary comedy troupe Three Dead Trolls in a Baggie. He was playing on the “superhero” idea for his friends, a […]

Boonstock 2013: From Limp Bizkit to Benny Benassi

Boonstock 2013: From Limp Bizkit to Benny Benassi

Boonstock 2013 has finally announced its line-up! It’s going to be That Band All Over the Radio, ‘80s Band With One Member Left, Generic Folk Band and Two Dudes with a Macbook, plus many more. It will take place at the Three Hottest Days of Summer in a Really Inconvenient Location. Tickets go on sale […]

MUSIC: 100 Mile House in the vanguard of folk trend

MUSIC: 100 Mile House in the vanguard of folk trend

You read it here first: Folk is the latest trend in pop music. All over the radio we are hearing furiously strumming banjos and mandolins, whomping floor toms, lusty male vocals and rousing drink-along sea chanties writ large, from the likes of Mumford and Sons, the Lumineers and, OK, yes, fun. To that list, on […]

Alabama Shakes to headline Interstellar Rodeo

Alabama Shakes to headline Interstellar Rodeo

One of the hottest new rock bands on the continent is coming to Edmonton this summer. Alabama Shakes has been announced as one of the headliners for the second annual Interstellar Rodeo, taking place July 26-28 at Hawrelak Park. The full line-up and ticket on sale details will be announced later this month. Distinguished by […]

Zebra Pulse too weird for punk rock?

Zebra Pulse too weird for punk rock?

For the last five years, Zebra Pulse has been making noise. Thanks to an arsenal of pedals, processors, cassette players, turntables and anything else that can generate a racket, the group has been a regular fixture at such places as Bohemia and Wunderbar where fans can indulge in their ear-bleeding nuances. Zebra Pulse has become […]