Category Archives: Rock, Alternative & Punk

ALEXISONFIRE

One of the few reunion shows, makes me feel
pretty lucky, although I may have heard a rumour there could be some more shows
added.

Motörhead

Oh Lemmy, what can I say! Their mix of
rock, punk and heavy metal intensity is just what I’m looking for.

Weezer x2

I’m just going to say it, I’ve never seen Weezer live. Thank you RiotFest for letting me get in a two for one. Day 1 – Pinkerton, Day 2 – Blue. I can hardly wait!

The Airborne Toxic Event

One of my all time favourites, super happy they’re on the bill and any time I can see these fantasic musicians play, I’m in.

Wu Tang Clan

What??? Yes, I can’t believe I’m going to get to shoot these guys. They’ve got a new album, “A Better Tomorrow” dropping December 2nd and I’m pretty sure we’ll get to hear some of it on Sunday.

Rancid

They’re playing Out Come The Wolves, only my favourite album. When did this become a thing? I’m glad it is.

Andrew W.K.

This is another “I can’t believe I get to shoot this” moment. Not only does he party hard, he’s so smart!

Thrice

A reunion I’m thrilled about.

Die Mannequin

Love, love, love. So glad they’re on the bill.

Against Me

Insert emotional attachment here. Lots of history with this band. Looking forward to new material.

Gwar

CAN NOT WAIT TO SEE THIS BAND! Masters of the stage show this should be fantastic.

The Dirty Nil

I first saw these guys at Canadian Music Week and they blew me away. Great energy, they’re localish, from Hamilton and they deserve to be there.

Stuck on Planet Earth

They were on the same bill as The Dirty Nil at CMW and well worth your time at Riot Fest.

Tasha the Amazon

And I’ve been told I absolutely have to check out Tasha the Amazon doing zero research and going into it open.

I’m going to stop but there are so many more go check out the schedule and if you haven’t bought a ticket yet, what are you waiting for?

To be honest, this lineup is problematic in that, it’s impossible as one human being to see everyone you’d like to see. A pretty awesome problem to have.

Did I miss your favourite? Let us know who you think we should add to our list!

Well, it’s just as the headline says it was.  Last night was one hell of Kickoff Party for Boots & Hearts at their new home in Oro-Medonte.

After an incredible start to this year’s Ottawa Bluesfest the second week was the week that had more of the music I was interested loaded so it was no doubt one I would be looking forward to covering.  Initial plans were that I would be finished my shifts with the Green Team by this point as well but health issues in the first week forced me to pick up some shifts in the second week.

Thousand Foot Krutch, Bear Mountain, For Esmé, Hozier and Neil Young + Promise of the Real

A fantastic music filled, gorgeous Ontario day at the brand new Burl’s Creek Facility. If you were wondering if they could pull it off, they absolutely did.

It’s hard to believe that the event that I’ve been anticipating all year is already halfway through.  It feels like just yesterday that the Full Flex Express rolled into town kicking off what would be an incredible 11 days of live entertainment along the Ottawa River.  New to our coverage this year is the addition of Sean Sisk, our new resident event photographer extraordinaire in the Ottawa region.  Sean’s incredible pictures will appear throughout my reviews and allow me to focus on the music and our social media coverage instead of trying to get the perfect shot. 

Twas the night before Bluesfest and all through the house not a creature was stirring not even a mouse.  The grounds are all ready, the stages are set in hopes that the music will soon be here.  The fans are nestled all snug in their beds; While visions of music and lights danced in their heads.  It all kicks off tomorrow afternoon and here are my picks for week #1!

Last night The Tragically Hip made a pit stop at the Kitchener Aud on their way back from 2 sold out nights in Kirkland Lake over the weekend.  They are set to play a big Canada Day Extravaganza at Molson Amphitheatre on July 1st with a more carnival type setting before the concert.  Might be kinda cool to check out.   BUT.. On this night there were no rides, no cotton candy it was all about the music.

Day 1 of Amnesia Rockfest 2015 kicked off with a bang. Actually a lot of really loud bangs between the thunder early in the day to the early sets this little sleepy was awoken from its slumber in a hurry. 

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.