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 […]
WEEKEND MUSIC PREVIEW: Depth behind Bend Sinister
Those of you who saw the disappointing Rihanna show on Wednesday can take solace in the fact that for the price of your one ticket, you can probably take at least half a dozen of your best friends to any of local show this weekend. Or maybe that doesn’t make you feel better. One of […]
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
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!
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 […]
Where will Rihanna get her Canadian weed?
When Rihanna came to Edmonton in 2011, there was said to be distinct reek of pot backstage at Rexall Place. One Edmonton police officer on duty that night described a “fog” in the hallway outside the dressing rooms. The cops held their noses and looked the other way. Busting a headliner for weed 30 minutes […]
Raffi fights for the rights of the very young
For someone who “accidentally” became a children’s entertainer, Raffi sure has thrown himself into it with a passion. Playing at the Winspear Centre on Sunday, his work has ranged far beyond merely singing singable songs for the very young. Never mind Bananaphone. Raffi has become a global crusader for child welfare. A number of points […]
Bob Seger returns in May, marks spring in Edmonton
That was fast. Bob Seger and the Silver Bullet Band have determined that it should be spring in Edmonton by Saturday, May 11, when they have rebooked Rexall Place after cancelling Thursday’s concert due to extremely crappy weather. The 67-year-old rock legend was concerned “about the safety and well-being of his fans.” Fans may even […]
Bob Seger Edmonton concert postponed until ‘spring’
So close and yet so snowy – Bob Seger’s historic first headlining appearance in Edmonton has been postponed “due to extreme weather conditions and road closures,” it was announced just hours before the legendary Detroit rocker was due to take the stage at Rexall Place on Thursday night. The press release reads, “Bob Seger is […]
WEEKEND MUSIC: Four horsemen of Canadian rock
Talk about bang for your rock ‘n’ roll buck. While it was a bummer that Bob Seger had to postpone his Thursday show due to the crappy weather, any of the four bands playing at the Shaw Conference Centre on Friday could be a headliner – maybe not at the Shaw, grant you, but somewhere. […]
THEATRE: Kenneth Brown and Tim Hortons a marriage made in heaven
“We didn’t know if Tim Hortons was going to sue us or adopt us,” says Kenneth Brown on his new play set in Canada’s favourite coffee shop. It’s called – you had to see this coming – Double Double. Timmy’s people did ask to look at the script: a romantic comedy between two 40-something divorced […]
P!nk comes to Edmonton in October
What did we say about 2013 being the Year of Young Women following 2012 being the Year of Old Men? That it would be the Year of Young Women, er … that’s what we said. Every action has an equal and opposite reaction. Anyway, P!nk has been on our wish list for a long time, […]
