Category Archives: Festivals

June 2, 2015, Ottawa, ON— CityFolk music festival organizers today announced the initial line-up for their 2015 program. Confirmed acts to date include: Van Morrison, The Avett Brothers, Wilco, Of Monsters and Men, Passenger, UB40, The Tubes, The Sheepdogs, Patrick Watson, Walk Off The Earth, Lord Huron, Elle King, Lisa LeBlanc, Lucinda Williams, St. Paul & The Broken Bones, Kitty, Daisy & Lewis, Amy Helm, Lucius, Lee Harvey Osmond, Steep Canyon Rangers, Built to Spill, The Barr Brothers, Wintersleep, Sun Kil Moon, Will Butler, Steve Poltz, Fortunate Ones, The Everyone Orchestra, Frank Fairfield & The Down Hill Strugglers, Terra Lightfoot, Scarlett Jane, and Charlie A’Court, with more to be announced in the weeks ahead.

Last week we had the opportunity to spend some time with Johnson Crook, one of eight Boots & Hearts Emerging Artist Showcase competitors. We chatted in front of The Gladstone Hotel before their set and hung around to watch the band play. We’re glad we did.

So this past Sunday we had the chance to take in Country Day at Rogers Center with the Toronto BlueJays. Maybe I should start off by saying I don’t overly enjoy baseball.  But the thought of mixing country music with America’s favorite pastime I thought sure why not give this event a try.  I had wanted to attend last year but wasn’t able to last-minute.  This year it was a must.

So, the summer concert schedule is upon us and let me tell you if you LOVE live music you are going to really enjoy this summer.  I have put together a list of MUST SEE but heck, I only say they are must see because well I think they are pretty damn talented individuals as well.  I know we can’t hit them all.  But we know I am going to do my best 😉

In just over four weeks the 35^th edition of the TD Ottawa Jazz Festival will present 780 musicians in 123 concerts from June 18 – July 1. From its humble origins as a weekend of outdoor jazz 35 years ago, the Festival has evolved into one of Canada’s largest and most highly anticipated international jazz festivals.

So Jason McCoy is set to host the 2nd Annual CMAO Awards being held at the Flato Markham Theatre and I had the chance to catch up with Jason earlier this week.

I had the chance to sit down with Canaan Smith while he was in town last month with Dan & Shay.  For those not familiar with Canaan, which I am sure it ain’t many.  Mr. Smith has a couple hit singles under his belt already along with his current single sky rocketing on the Country charts south of the border.  

It was a very red hued evening for Canadian Music Week fans at the Smiling Buddah for The Dead South. Dark and mood setting. The four piece from Saskatchewan, came dressed to kill. And kill it, they did. The audience changed when they started to play. They quieted down and moved forward. They danced and they hooted.

Back in October Dylan Black introduced me to a young lady named Danielle Allard.  Danielle was about to embark on the process of recording her début solo EP and Dylan, knowing our passion for promoting and discovering emerging artists, was hoping Sound Check would be able to do a feature on her to help spread the word.  I listened to a few tracks that Danielle had on YouTube, liked what I heard so I wrote the feature.  Last night that album, Chameleon, was officially released and what a night it was.

One of the most anticipated country western events in Canada is the Calgary Stampede.  We were lucky enough to be there for Stampede 101 in 2013.  Although you will find music from every genre at the Stampede Nashville North is one of the hottest parties in town and today the 2015 Nashville North Lineup was announced!