Category Archives: Music

Rain and wet weather go hand in hand with Festival Country Lotbinière…it’s almost expected. But until this year it was just something you dealt with and the show would go on. Saturday dealt a new twist when the rain changed to heavy rain and the temperature turned cold as well.

For the very first concert in its history, the Slush Puppie Centre welcomed renowned international artist Flo Rida to Gatineau. Fans knew they were in for a treat, but what unfolded was one of the most entertaining show we’ve seen in the National Capital Region in a very long time!

En ce deuxième jour du Festival Country Lotbinière, la scène Kia a accueilli beaucoup plus de spectateurs, ce qui a évidemment ravi les artistes en prestation.

The midway point of Festival Country Lotbinière has arrived and, for once, not a rain cloud to be seen and even our old friend the sun made an appearance in the afternoon to welcome thousands of country fans to the grounds behind the Saint-Agapit arena. But not before another full afternoon of performances on the KIA stage which featured up and coming country acts from across Quebec.

We’re back for our annual pilgrimage to Saint-Agapit, Quebec for the 2023 edition of Festival Country Lotbinière. Once again, this year, weather is the talk of the town as cold wet weather has dominated. Thankfully for organizers country fans in Quebec have proven that they will show up in rain, hail, sleet and snow and a bit of cold and wet weather didn’t dampen the spirits much.

On Wednesday night, Vancouver was lucky enough to be the third Canadian stop on the annual Decibel Magazine Tour.

Hailed as the longest-running Metal tour in North America, this prolific showcase has brought bands like Obituary, Morbid Angel and Enslaved to cities across the continent for over ten years.

Cattle Decapitation- Vancouver – Vogue Theatre June 2023 – Paradox VisualsCattle Decapitation- Vancouver – Vogue Theatre June 2023 – Paradox Visuals

The 2023 tour perfectly blended black and death metal with its lineup consisting of Dark Funeral, Cattle Decapitation, along with up-and-coming heavy-hitters 200 Stab Wounds and Black Braid.

Between the crushing atmospherics, gruesome vocals, and downright nasty riffs, there was little room for any disappointment.

Highlights included: Black Braid’s culturally rich performance that was both beautiful and educational. As they wove traditional indigenous instruments, songs, and storytelling throughout raw and atmospheric black metal soundscapes.

200 Stab Wounds never fail to put on a brutal set with tight instrumentation and neck-breaking riffs, this band is a real testament to the new wave of Death Metal and just how tough it is.

Black Braid- Vancouver – Vogue Theatre June 2023 – Paradox VisualsCattle Decapitation- Vancouver – Vogue Theatre June 2023 – Paradox Visuals

Obviously, Cattle Decapitation was just insane. Travis Ryan is otherworldly live, foaming at the mouth and creating noises no human should be able to. It’s not just Ryan that makes this band hard to believe, but every member is a tenacious beast with their instrument – all coming together to form one wretched conglomerate of sound that is honestly mind-boggling to bear witness to.

Sadly, I had to depart before Dark Funeral hit the stage. But, I was lucky enough to catch them back in November wit Cattle Decapitation, and I know for a fact they are a band everyone must see at least once.

Last week fans at the Commodore Ballroom closed out the month of May with a night of metal mayhem, thanks to Sepultura, Kreator, Death Angel and Spirit World.

It’s been several years since both Kreator and Sepultura visited Vancouver, and they did not disappoint. Both bands were equipped with stacked setlists, riddled with hits and new material, along with fierce energy and tenacious instrumentation.

From coaxing circle pits to promoting walls of death and egging on crowd-surfers, the fans were feral and did whatever the band told them to, it was amazing to see!

Last week Dierks Bentley kicked off his Gravel and Gold Tour 2023 in Toronto at the Budweiser Stage. The show opened with the Bluegrass sound of Molly Tuttle and her band. The California native got the crowd going with music from her Grammy winning album. The sounds of the banjo, fiddle and mandolin along with the amazing harmonies got the crowd on their feet.

Roll On 2 North America Tour

with special guest The Bellamy Brothers

Thursday, Aug. 24, at 7 p.m. – Canadian Tire Centre

Tickets are available Friday, June 2, at 10 a.m.

Blink-182 @ Scotiabank Arena / Photo Elliott Deseure

If you missed your chance to see the world acclaimed band Blink-182 this past Thursday night then don’t fear because they’re coming back to Scotiabank Arena Toronto in a few days on Monday May the 15th. The trio of Travis Barker, Mark Hoppus and Tom DeLonge stopped in on May 11th for the first of 2 shows to a sold out crowd as you can clearly see above on their “Crappy Punk Rock since 1992” World Tour!

Blink-182 / Travis Barker @ Scotiabank Arena / Photo Elliott Deseure

It has been a few years since the boys have stopped in Toronto, on official business that is and let me tell you it was a night of hits and new music that recently surfaced. This reunion tour has brought a lot of hope for the fans pre tour and now they’re here in full force, talking to many of the fans hearing nothing but love towards their favourite band.

Blink-182 / Tom DeLonge @ Scotiabank Arena / Photo Elliott Deseure

Having 20+ years in the business it’s not hard to see the professionalism on stage but at the same time each personality stays out, often youthfulness within each individual members, especially Tom. This time around a simple diamond shaped stage with lots of theatrics with moving lights and elevating drums, leading to an eye catchy and ear catchy show!

Blink-182 / Mark Hoppus @ Scotiabank Arena / Photo Elliott Deseure

Starting off the nights with “The Anthem Part Two”, “The Rock Show” and “Family Reunion”, then to be followed by another 23 songs in the setlist. Both Mark and Tom sounding amazing with their vocals a playing performances. And of course Barker on the skins sounding 10/10 as always!

Blink-182 @ Scotiabank Arena / Photo Elliott Deseure

Blink-182 @ Scotiabank Arena / Photo Elliott Deseure

Overall if you can manage to grab a ticket still for one of their upcoming shows I highly recommend doing so if you are a fan. The guys sounds amazing, give you your moneys worth for a long setlist of tunes, make a date night out of it, go grab some dinner before the show, maybe a beverage at the show and enjoy yourself. This tour is a must recommend from myself! Check it out at Live Nation if they aren’t sold out yet!

Turnstile’s @ Scotiabank Arena / Photo Elliott Deseure

The Turnstile’s were the second supporting act for the night. Putting on an energy packed performance they the crowd really enjoyed, great light show for an opener which is always great to see. If you’re wanting to see them check out their website as they have a busy year ahead filled full of shows. The band from Baltimore Maryland felt right at home in Toronto having a majority of the fans sing back their songs with them, which is the ultimate compliment.

Turnstile’s @ Scotiabank Arena / Photo Elliott Deseure

Beauty School Dropouts @ Scotiabank Arena / Photo Elliott Deseure

Kicking off the night was the crew of Beauty School Dropouts. They were an interesting band to add to the mix but it worked out fitting into the night, you could see them being a great support for Rage Against The Machine. The band and singer sounded amazing together, Toronto was into it. I can see big things coming from this band in the future, even Mark Hoppus from Blink-182 is featured in some of their music, definitely should check that out.

Beauty School Dropouts @ Scotiabank Arena / Photo Elliott Deseure