Saga dominates Edmonton Rock Music Festival
Edmonton might have been covered in a thick blanket of asthma-inducing white acrid smoke, but none of that stuff was being blown during Saga’s performance down at Hawrelak Park as part of Friday night festivities at the Edmonton Rock Festival. Most Canadians are clueless how big this band was and still is internationally. Last time […]
REVIEW: Heat on the hill at folk fest
Thursday evening at the Edmonton Folk Music Festival was likely one of the hottest folk fests on record. There was a heat warning as temperatures hit 34 degrees, and an air quality advisory due to drifting smoke from B.C. wildfires. There may have been discussions about climate change among the sweaty (but happy) crowd – […]
First Nations acts big at stormy Interstellar Rodeo
Most of the people who attend Interstellar Rodeo are not fair-weather fans. They know that Mother Nature may not be on their side. Indeed, this year the festival almost lived up to the dreaded “Friday night curse” – as some call it – hearkening back to an earlier year when the Friday night had to […]
Jim Jefferies crosses the line in Edmonton
Anyone who made it to one of Jim Jefferies’ two shows at the Jubilee Auditorium on Friday knew they were in for a night of boundary-violating, button-pushing, self-deprecating hilarity. But how many would have guessed the Australian comedian would make it through his 90-minute performance without mentioning the name “Donald Trump” once? Because he did […]
Sheryl Crow is one hard-working single mother
When Sheryl Crow talked about being a mom at her show in Edmonton on Tuesday night, it struck a deep chord with her mainly middle class, mainly middle aged white audience. In short, soccer moms. Is the soccer over yet? Illustrating the virtues and challenges that modern motherhood entails, the 56-year-old singer showed a depth […]
Raygun Cowboys ride the lightning
Going to a Raygun Cowboys concert is like being transported to the world of The Outsiders, in between the Greasers and the Socs – except no one gets hurt in the mosh pit. There are other guarantees from this colourful local psychobilly band – fun, laughter, dancing until your feet hurt, and a strong sense […]
REVIEW: Vance Joy to the World
If you would’ve told Vance Joy 10 years ago that he’d be playing Canadian hockey arenas one day, he would’ve said you were crackers. Because he’s Australian. “Crackers” is exactly the word he would use. It means crazy. But there he was at Rogers Place on Wednesday night – another worthy folk singer-turned-pop star playing […]
Bryan Adams does it for you
It’s astounding that Bryan Adams hasn’t changed his shtick in almost 40 years – and can still fill hockey arenas. He’s not in Edmonton as often as some of the others, so that helps make it special. And aside from writing more hits to fill his canon, why would he change now? If it ain’t […]
Slayer kills at farewell show in Edmonton
Springtime in Edmonton. The trees are blooming, grass is growing, birds are singing, and the locals have shed the many layers to hit the great sunny outdoors. What better circumstances for this year’s metal juggernaut tour to roll through town? The four bands on stage at the Shaw Conference Centre on Sunday night have all […]
David Byrne doesn’t stop making sense
If the live concert experience has to be reinvented, and maybe it does, David Byrne is just the guy to pull it off. He’s got the credentials – a weird New York art-rock cat who became the intelligent face of the new wave movement with the Talking Heads. Ever since, he tries to do something […]
Eagles put a spell on Edmonton
What a minute! How did Vince Gill wind up doing so much heavy lifting as the newest member of the Eagles in Edmonton on Tuesday night? No offense to Vince Gill. He’s a great guitarist and songwriter. One of country music’s finest. Helluva singer, too. Got that high, lonesome voice. But is he worthy to […]
Shania Twain still the one in Edmonton
It’s always a double bill of sorts whenever a Shania Twain show rolls into town – usually a toss-up between her lengthy tresses and telltale leopardskin wardrobe. This time, it wasn’t just the eyes focusing on the still-svelte 52-year-old songstress. Ears were perked up to see how her reconstructed larynx could withstand the punishment of […]
