Joel and Bill Plaskett rolled into the NAC in Ottawa this past Saturday for their third stop on their tour for Solidarity, the latest release in Plaskett’s catalog. Even a broken-down van didn’t slow down this crew as they launched into their hour-and-forty-minute show after Mayhemingways from Peterborough, Ontario, opened the night with thirty minutes of 2-piece-band glory, displaying a full spectrum of grooves and moods.
Sheepdogs bring the Canadiana at the Stanley Cup 125th Anniversary Tribute Concert
Last Friday, two of my favourite things about Canada came together in one venue, rock ‘n roll and hockey. Whether you’re a sports fan or not, there’s just something about hockey that bring all Canadians together. A collective sense of pride, if you will.
Mother Mother Deliver Something Sweet at the National Arts Centre
The National Arts Centre is a really spectacular venue for a concert of any size and magnitude. Even more so when the musical artist on the stage is pouring their heart out and the audience is electric. That was just the case this past Friday night, as a capacity crowd of passionate Canadian music lovers arose from their seats and ignored the sitting room guidelines to celebrate the ever-evolving indie dream-rock sounds of Mother Mother.
Billy Talent heats up frozen TD Place
The always amazing Billy Talent brought the third last stop of the Canadian leg of their ‘Afraid of Heights’ –tour to the jam packed TD Place, and was set to play to an exceptionally enthusiastic crowd.
The Once Performs at Ottawa’s National Art Centre
Let’s start this off with a quick phone conference I had with The Once band members, Geraldine Hollett, Phil Churchill and Andrew Dale the night before their show.
Glorious Sons Remind Us That Rock and Roll Never Forgets
Canadian rock music has never been more relevant. The sights and sounds are full and crisp, and the talent pool is deep. Still, once in awhile a music snob like myself gets to head to a concert with a band that I am largely unfamiliar with, in hopes of being wowed. Seldom does this actually happen. Most times, the band (insert name here) brings a lot of energy and a few hook driven choruses to the table, and at about the halfway point I begin to count down to the end of the night.
Brothers Osborne Come To London For A Party!
Cowboy’s Ranch in London is know for its parties on Friday and Saturday nights. Sunday nights it normally sits quiet, except this past Sunday when Grammy Nominated Brothers Osborne stopped by looking for a party. I don’t think London disappointed them with the packed house ready to rock out until the wee hours of a Sunday night.
Raquel Cole opened up the show and she is no stranger to us here at Sound Check Entertainment. Recently Corey had the chance to record a Mason Jar Session with her which you can check out here.
Raquel Cole on stage at Cowboys Ranch in London ON – Photo: Bill Woodcock
Raquel had the crowds attention from the get go with her mandolin and her amazing voice. It was my first time seeing her live and I will tell you now, don’t miss her if you get the chance to catch her live on stage. This girl is going places!
Raquel Cole on stage at Cowboys Ranch in London ON – Photo: Bill Woodcock
Brothers Osborne hit the stage and from the start it was face melting guitar riffs, and just plain old good times. Hit after hit the rocked the stage at Cowboys for a good 90 minutes before it was time to pull out their big hit ” Stay a Little Longer” which the enormous crowd sang every word too so loudly it was clear the loved having the brothers in town to party.
Brothers Osborne on stage at Cowboys Ranch in London ON – Photo: Bill Woodcock
One of the coolest parts of the show was when they stripped it down to play around a single mic, it was tough to hear everything, but just watching the entire band crowd around a single mic really gave you an sense of where these guys started out. Hopefully someday we can get a Mason Jar Session with these boys and capture that scene.
Brothers Osborne on stage at Cowboys Ranch in London ON – Photo: Bill Woodcock
Brothers Osborne have some more Canadian dates later this year including a stop in Toronto, and a couple of dates out in Western Canada. Get all the details at www.brothersosborne.com
Brothers Osborne on stage at Cowboys Ranch in London ON – Photo: Bill Woodcock
Bill Woodcock / @BillWoodcock
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Raquel Cole on stage at Cowboys Ranch in London ON – Photo: Bill Woodcock
Brothers Osborne on stage at Cowboys Ranch in London ON – Photo: Bill Woodcock
Brothers Osborne on stage at Cowboys Ranch in London ON – Photo: Bill Woodcock
Brothers Osborne on stage at Cowboys Ranch in London ON – Photo: Bill Woodcock
Brothers Osborne on stage at Cowboys Ranch in London ON – Photo: Bill Woodcock
Brothers Osborne on stage at Cowboys Ranch in London ON – Photo: Bill Woodcock
Brothers Osborne on stage at Cowboys Ranch in London ON – Photo: Bill Woodcock
Four Chords And The Truth – 6th Confessions
Thursday night at The Dakota Tavern was by far the most diverse instalment of the Four Chords And The Truth series. Really getting to the “kernels of the popcorn”. The songwriters featured at each confession have the opportunity to get back to the roots of each of their songs and give us (the audience) some vulnerable insight into the origin of their art.
London Gets Fist Punched Hardcore
So here at Sound Check Entertainment we decided it was time to step out of our normal coverage again and cover something a little different for you, our loyal fans. And boy did we step out of the box!
Music Magic in London with The Cadillac Three
For concert goers (who, let’s face it, is essentially our entire readership so you’ll know exactly what I’m talking about) there are those rare and elusive nights that I like to call “Music Magic.” The fans know it; the band knows it; and as you’re leaving you can hear everyone in the audience saying a variation of the same thing: “That was unbelievable!” On August 31st at Cowboy’s Ranch in London, Ontario The Cadillac Three made music magic.
