TORONTO, ON (August 21, 2023) – This October, legendary alt-country rockers Blue Rodeo will be on tour celebrating the 30th Anniversary of the band’s massively successful fifth studio album Five Days in July. Fans can look forward to seeing the band hit the stage in Montreal, Hamilton, Kingston, London, Moncton and Halifax and hearing songs from the six-time platinum classic record, while also enjoying some more favourites from over the years.
BIG WRECK ANNOUNCE HEADLINING NORTH AMERICAN TOUR!
BIG WRECK, esteemed Canadian rockers, announce today that they will be taking their intoxicating live show back on the road this fall, headlining across Canada along with select USA dates! Kicking off their first show on November 9th in Hamilton, ON at FirstOntario Concert Hall and ending on December 22nd in Toronto, ON at History. Full list of dates are below.
Michael Budman and Don Green, Tantoo Cardinal, Avril Lavigne and Gary Slaight Join the List of Canada’s Walk of Fame Inductees
The final Inductees for 2023 will be announced in the coming months, along with the Allan Slaight Music Impact, Community and National Hero Honourees
Canada’s Walk of Fame 25th Anniversary Celebration will take place on December 2nd in Toronto; Broadcast to air on CTV at a later date
Standing Room Only for McGraw Sunday at Boots and Hearts
Sunday was the final day of Boots and Hearts 2023 and while some were nursing hangovers others were ready for a full day of music.
Keith Urban Shines on Stormy Saturday at Boots and Hearts
Saturday’s lineup kicked off in the early afternoon with Graham Scott Fleming and Raquel Cole performing on the SiriusXM Front Porch stage and those were the only 2 artists to get there sets completed before some weather rolled in.
Nickelback Burns it to the Ground at Boots & Hearts!
Friday brought the first full day of Boots and Hearts with both stages going all day.
Tim Hicks Blows Roof Off 2023 Boots and Hearts Kickoff Party
On Thursday night Boots and Hearts kicked off it’s 2023 edition of the festival with the emerging artist contest, Owen Reigling, Josh Ross and Tim Hicks.
54•40 takes the stage at Neat Café
There’s something really special about experiencing live music in an intimate setting. It might be the vibe you feel when you gather shoulder to shoulder with other music lovers, or find yourself eye to eye with the artists on stage; the night is just richer. Add to that the opportunity to get up close and personal with the kings of Canadian rock, 54•40, who bring to the stage every ounce of passion from their 43-year history, and it becomes an even more unique moment to treasure.
That was the scene on Friday night, when renowned performers 54•40 played the second of a two-night gig at Neat Café, an unassuming structure in the tiny village of Burnstown, about 80 km west of Ottawa. Originally built as a schoolhouse in 1889, the venue now hosts a veritable list of Who’s Who in the Canadian music scene. In 2023 alone, Neat Café has booked Big Sugar, Stephen Fearing, Matthew Good, Whitehorse and Wide Mouth Mason, among others.
54-40 performs at Neat Cafe. Photo by Rob Clairmont.
But I digress from the main event: 54•40 which, coincidentally, survived a power outage, a humidex warning and a series of tornado alerts in order to rock the socks off a ready crowd in back-to-back sold-out shows. Frontman Neil Osborne and bass player Brad Merrit, who met during high school in Tsawwassen, B.C., are the two original members of the band. Drummer Matt Johnson joined the band in 1986, and Dave Genn took over lead guitar in 2003
54-40 performs at Neat Cafe. Photo by Rob Clairmont.
Despite an impressive legacy of gold and platinum albums, including three new ones this year, Osborne aroused applause when he announced that the band would play some of their favourites from back in the day. These ranged from the 1986 hit “Baby Ran,” to “Casual Viewin,” released in 2000, along with such other hits as “Ocean Pearl,” “Since When,” “Walk in Line,” “I Go Blind,” and “Lies to Me.”
As if the musical walk down memory lane wasn’t worth every cent of the ticket price, Osborne and his bandmates kept everyone engaged throughout the almost 2-hour show with humorous anecdotes and endearing stories, and by pandering to the singing crowd by flipping the stage mics outward as if it were a kitchen party.
54-40 performs at Neat Cafe. Photo by Rob Clairmont.
The crowd found its groove with “One Day,” the lyrics of which Osborne credits to his mother’s advice. When he would call her, weighted down with life’s stress, her response would always be to just wait a day and see what tomorrow would bring.
54•40 leapt into its more recent history with the 2018 track “How’s Your Day Going” which, according to Osborne, is founded on the fact that “yesterday is past and tomorrow is unknown, so ask how’s your day going because it’s the only one you got, baby.”
54-40 performs at Neat Cafe. Photo by Rob Clairmont.
Much of Osborne’s commentary reinforced his assertion that love is the underlying theme of the band’s discography. The frontman certainly revealed a passion deep from his core as the other band members cleared the way for him to take the solo lead on “One Gun,” to which the crowd responded enthusiastically during the catchy refrain.
Osborne told the crowd: “Love is the intersection of anything and everything.” He went on to say that attention–when you really see, hear, and feel someone–is his favourite definition of love. He thanked the audience for giving the band that feeling last night, before ending a 3-song encore with “Love You All.”
54-40 performs at Neat Cafe. Photo by Rob Clairmont.
With another new album being released this October, “West Coast Band,” 54•40 is nowhere near ready to hang up their dancing shoes, and that’s definitely good news for followers and fans. Visit the band on their official website www.5440.com.
Photos from the evening at Neat Cafe with 54-40.
HOT AIR BALLOON FESTIVALS JOIN FORCES TO WELCOME INTERNATIONAL ARTIST NE-YO!
With over 20 million albums sold worldwide and prestigious collaborations with Beyoncé, Rihanna, Céline Dion, Pitbull, David Guetta, Akon, Bebe Recha and Rick Ross!
TICKETS ON SALE NOW:
Sunday, September 3rd | Gatineau Hot Air Balloon Festival (FMG)
Saturday August 19th | International Balloon Festival of Saint-Jean-sur-Richelieu
Pitbull and Ludacris crank up the heat on and already hot Saturday night at RBC Bluesfest
And then there was one…hard to believe 8 nights of RBC Bluesfest are already in the history books. Night 8 was definitely one of the warmer nights of the festival, even though there was definitely more heat for Shania last night felt much more humid. If it wasn’t hot enough already Ludacris and Pitbull took the thermostat and cranked it up even higher making for a steamy night at Lebreton Flats.
