Vancouver’s Commodore Ballroom hosted a night of immense musical prowess on Wednesday, October 26th, welcoming American acts; Animals As Leaders, Car Bomb and Alluvial.

While these acts may sound like an odd pairing to some, they could not be better suited to share the stage together, as they all share one important ingredient – incredible instrumentation.

From the intricate terrain of Animals As Leaders’ progressive and stunning landscapes to the mind-boggling heaviness of Car Bomb’s musical mathematics, all supported by the cavernous complexities of Alluvial – this bill was one for fans of metal mastery.

Country music fans filled the house at Ottawa’s Bronson Centre Tuesday night to see internationally acclaimed artist Jess Moskaluke perform live in the first headlining tour of her career. The November 1 show was the first stop on her 23-city tour with fellow artist Tyler Joe Miller.

100.3 The Bear’s Annual Halloween Howler is one of the area’s must-attend parties of the year!

What do you get when The Northern Pikes and The Pursuit Of Happiness get together? You get the Northern Happiness Tour and they rolled through Kingston last night at The Grand Theatre.

34 years ago, The Northern Pikes started their journey together. Over the years there have been a couple of personnel changes, but they have remained pretty much intact since the mid eighties with the exception of adding Kevin Kane to the lineup on guitar and vocals.

Northern Pikes. Kingston Grand Theatre. October 27, 2022.

The Pikes are one of those bands who I think you have to see live to appreciate. With hits like She Ain’t Pretty or Girl With A Problem, we’ve heard them before but until you hear them play live I don’t think you get the idea of just how hard these guys rock. This is no light weight band, they rock with the best of them!

The band resurrected their recording career in 2019 after 16 years with the release of Forest of Love after Kevin Kane joined and it seemed to breathe new life into the Pikes. Another new album was in the works but had to be sidelined with travel and COVID restrictions during the pandemic, I’m sure this project will be available soon for fans.

Northern Pikes. Kingston Grand Theatre. October 27, 2022.

After a short intermission, we were treated to a performance by The Pursuit of Happiness, another great Canadian Band from about the same era. Moe Berg and company are always a good time and their anthem I’m An Adult Now is remembered by all rock’n’roll fans who also remember the mid eighties. The band has obviously gone through changes but have had a stable lineup since 1997 when singer Renee Suchy joined.

When you see a band like The Pursuit Of Happiness, it is partially nostalgic, you hear those old songs and it brings unlocks memories of different times in your life. It was the glory days of MuchMusic and that video we all remember of a young Moe Berg proclaiming to be an adult now.

The Pursuit Of Happiness, Kingston Grand Theatre. October 27, 2022

The current lineup of the band are amazing in their own right. Moe and drummer Dave Gilby are the only remaining original members but Kingston’s own Kris Abbott was a popular attraction at last night’s performance for sure. Her guitar and singing talents did not go unnoticed. The other singer in the show was Renee Suchy, with a voice of an angel. Rounding out the lineup was bassist Brad Barker doing a tremendous job as well.

This tour was a great idea. Two bands from a similar era in Canadian rock music on one bill like this works very well. It was a night for people to reminisce over some songs they may not have heard in a long time, hear some new stuff and just have a good time again. We needed that.

Check out more info about these great Canadian Bands here:

The Pursuit Of Happiness

The Northern Pikes

The Pursuit Of Happiness, Kingston Grand Theatre. October 27, 2022

The Pursuit Of Happiness, Kingston Grand Theatre. October 27, 2022

The Pursuit Of Happiness, Kingston Grand Theatre. October 27, 2022

The Pursuit Of Happiness, Kingston Grand Theatre. October 27, 2022

The Pursuit Of Happiness, Kingston Grand Theatre. October 27, 2022

The Pursuit Of Happiness, Kingston Grand Theatre. October 27, 2022

The Pursuit Of Happiness, Kingston Grand Theatre. October 27, 2022

The Pursuit Of Happiness, Kingston Grand Theatre. October 27, 2022

The Pursuit Of Happiness, Kingston Grand Theatre. October 27, 2022

The Pursuit Of Happiness, Kingston Grand Theatre. October 27, 2022

The Pursuit Of Happiness, Kingston Grand Theatre. October 27, 2022

The Pursuit Of Happiness, Kingston Grand Theatre. October 27, 2022

The Pursuit Of Happiness, Kingston Grand Theatre. October 27, 2022

The Pursuit Of Happiness, Kingston Grand Theatre. October 27, 2022

Northern Pikes. Kingston Grand Theatre. October 27, 2022.

Northern Pikes. Kingston Grand Theatre. October 27, 2022.

Northern Pikes. Kingston Grand Theatre. October 27, 2022.

Northern Pikes. Kingston Grand Theatre. October 27, 2022.

Northern Pikes. Kingston Grand Theatre. October 27, 2022.

Northern Pikes. Kingston Grand Theatre. October 27, 2022.

Northern Pikes. Kingston Grand Theatre. October 27, 2022.

Northern Pikes. Kingston Grand Theatre. October 27, 2022.

Northern Pikes. Kingston Grand Theatre. October 27, 2022.

Northern Pikes. Kingston Grand Theatre. October 27, 2022.

Northern Pikes. Kingston Grand Theatre. October 27, 2022.

Northern Pikes. Kingston Grand Theatre. October 27, 2022.

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The Pursuit of Happiness, Shenkman Arts Center, Orleans. Photo by Robert Clairmont

Two of Canada’s legendary bands hit the stage at the Shenkman Arts Centre in Orleans on the sixth night of a seven-night Northern Happiness tour across Ontario.

Album Available Everywhere February 3, 2023
Tickets To Queen Of Me Tour On Sale Starting Friday, November 4th at 10am Local at LiveNation.com

Rock band Highly Suspect performed at Kemba Live! in Columbus, Ohio last night on their headlining Fall US tour in support of their 4^th full-length album The Midnight Demon Club, which was released last month.

Avery Anna / The Dakota Tavern // Photographer: Elliott Deseure

An intimate evening at The Dakota Tavern put on by Warner Music Canada Downton Toronto last night, October 25th 2022. Starting off the night with the extremely talented young woman Avery Anna. Bringing that southern charm all the way from Flagstaff Arizona, USA. With a collection of songs and story telling, it wasn’t long before had grasped everyones attention in the room.

Avery Anna / The Dakota Tavern // Photographer: Elliott Deseure

Heartfelt and warm, she captivated the room with her soft playing on the keys to her jaw dropping voice. Playing songs from her big hit Narcissist to “Ring Of Fire” by Johnny Cash who we find out was one of her grandfathers favourites as she used to sing with him a lot. Watch out Nashville, I think Avery is going to be making some big waves here in the future!

Avery Anna / The Dakota Tavern // Photographer: Elliott Deseure

Tyler Braden / The Dakota Tavern // Photographer: Elliott Deseure

Second off to keep the evening going was a gentleman and a comedian when it comes to entertaining the crowd with his one liners, Tyler Braden. Starting his musical journey off later in life, it sure doesn’t appear that way. Feeling as comfortable as a veteran on that stage while singing his heart out. Bold and brass, Brayden has that cool voice with that kicker of power and thrust.

Tyler Braden / The Dakota Tavern // Photographer: Elliott Deseure

Playing new music to even covering one of his favourite bands the Goo Goo Dolls with their mega hit “Iris” and killing it at that! Learning that Tyler does a lot of writing not only for himself but for others I think we can expect an interesting collaboration here in the future. Tyler has that arena feel but also a sit around the campfire vibe, his journey is just beginning.

Breland / The Dakota Tavern // Photographer: Elliott Deseure

For those who did’t know Ireland before, they do now! Fun and energetic was the scope of the evening. As you can tell from the smile on his face, this is what he was meant to do and be, right on stage. Having fun both onstage and off, having worked and done collaborations with various artists from Keith Urban, Sam Hunt, Dierks Bentley, Hardy, Lady A, to Thomas Rhett.

Breland + Tyler Brayden / The Dakota Tavern // Photographer: Elliott Deseure

Breland + Avery Anna/ The Dakota Tavern // Photographer: Elliott Deseure

Learning that he will be opening for Shania Twain soon he thought it was appropriate to rock the Queen of country musics songs, doing them with justice I might add. Also adding a big hit to his night with Strawberry Wine by Deana Carter and bringing up Avery Anna to help him sing it! It seems wherever Daniel goes he makes friends.

Breland / The Dakota Tavern // Photographer: Elliott Deseure

At such a young age and the accomplishments under his belt, what’s next is what we all want to know. I guess only time will reveal that but I sure that he will be back Toronto!

Breland / The Dakota Tavern // Photographer: Elliott Deseure

After a number of cancellations and postponements Johnny Reid finally made it home to Nepean for a nearly sold out show at Meridian Theatres at Centrepointe on Monday evening, the 111th show on the Love Someone Tour. For those who don’t know Johnny lived in Nepean with his wife about 20 years ago making this the almost like a hometown show for Johnny.

Current CMA Award Vocal Group of the Year and Album of the Year nominees Old Dominion announced their upcoming No Bad Vibes Tour set to kick off in spring 2023. The surprise announcement was made to a capacity crowd at Loser’s Bar and Grill in Nashville during Monday night’s Whiskey Jam performance. Old Dominion, who got their start as regulars on the Whiskey Jam stage, was joined by rising country stars and Whiskey Jam favourites Shawn Austin, Greylan James, Kassi Ashton and Frank Ray. All these acts will be joining Old Dominion in a first of its kind opportunity with Whiskey Jam to be the opening act support partner. Fans will get to see Ray, Ashton & James on all U.S. dates, and Ray, Austin along with Steven Lee Olson on all Canadian dates.