To say I’m excited with tour season approaching, (and restrictions lifted for the time being) would be a HUGE understatement. Aside from photography and reviewing, I’m also a local stagehand for touring acts, and to say the least; the last two years has been tough. I had the opportunity to work with the Dragonforce crew all day setting up the show and it was a great time. Super dudes to work with. Watching a production come together is an amazing thing to see.
Blue October Serenades Fans with Acoustic Performance
Blue October performed at Express LIVE on October 3, 2021 in Columbus, Ohio. The show was scheduled to be outdoors, rain or shine. Many were surprised to discover it was moved indoors and that the performance was going to be acoustic.
The mood was definitely bright and the audience knew they were in for a treat. It felt like a lucky break to avoid the rainy weather and watch an intimate show on Sunday night.
Judas Priest’s “50 Heavy Metal Years” Celebration
Last Friday night at the Covelli Centre in Youngstown, Ohio was THE place to be for all heavy metal fans, old and young, looking for loud, top notch entertainment.
As Judas Priest’s symbol, glowing in red lights, was lowered from the ceiling, with Black Sabbath’s War Pigs blasting away, the audience could feel a big show was commencing.
Rob Halford positioned his back to the crowd – facing drummer Scott Travis – showing the same symbol on his studded, fringed, leather jacket. So badass and cool.
COVID-19 Turns Off The Music
As the news continues to breaks with Covid 19, so many things are coming to an immediate stop, including our music industry.
Exclusive: Matt Andersen Blows the roof off of the Shell Theatre in Fort Saskatchewan
The 2020 Maple Blues Male Vocalist of the year recipient, Matt Andersen made a stop at the Shell Theatre in Fort Saskatchewan recently as a part of his Halfway Home By Morning tour and left people wanting more.
Dean Brody and Dallas Smith brought their Friends to Kingston
Last Wednesday, Dean Brody and Dallas Smith brought their Friends Don’t Let Friends Tour Alone Tour to Leon’s Centre in Kingston and it was another huge success!
Dear Rouge Fire Up the Ice Dragon Boat Festival
This past weekend was the 3rd edition of the Ottawa Ice Dragon Boat Festival, a winter spin on their extremely popular summer event. Similar to the summer occurrence, this festival raises money for various local charities while providing a fun experience for all. In tandem with the competitions and charitable endeavour, both seasonal iterations of this festival have become widely popular for the free concert series the public can attend. Through the years, the stage has been headlined by some of the hottest acts in Canadian music. This year’s featured artists were electro-rock energized Dear Rouge and the reggae and ska sensation Bedouin Soundclash. Both are Juno Award winners for Breakthrough Group of the Year in 2016 and 2006, respectively.
Logan Staats story tells from the soul
The Islands Folk Festival in Duncan, BC was set on a picturesque farm outside of town.
Logan Staats Islands Folk Festival Duncan BC Photo: Jeremy Mac Knott
Small popups danced across the grounds with festival goers shopping items and clothing that matched the easygoing, flowing vibe of the festival.
As sound check started with Logan Staats, most recently featured on the Launch, the audience settled into the their politely tiered seating while young ones ran and danced in front of the open air stage.
Logan Staats Islands Folk Festival Duncan BC Photo: Jeremy Mac Knott
Despite his recent mainstream presence, Logan has been a part of folk scene for the past decade and it showed with his comfort and crowd interaction from the stage. As Logan’s set progressed his story telling ability became very apparent as he shared a new untitled song written while recently in Nashville that highlighted his reflective nature as he was inspired by a series of interactions in his youth that put meaning to what the lasting quality of love is for those left behind. The simple narrative followed by the moving performance left the audience in tears.
With each passing song Logan shared his story with the crowd, one that he described to feature all but two sad songs. One of the happy ones he shared written in mear minutes on the side of a hotel bed, inspired by his current partner. As the sunset, the open air stage became more and more reflective of Logan’s soulful writing and powerful voice. It truly was a an emotional experience respected and enjoyed by festival goers.
Photos by Jeremy Mac Knott
Review by Haley Campbell
Bathtub Weekend Kick off Party
July 20th marks the 52nd annual Great International World Championship Bathtub Race in Nanaimo BC.
Starting off the kick off party: The Black Franks. They are a 4 piece local Nanaimo cover band playing songs like Roadhouse Blues by The Doors and Takin’ care of Business by Bachman Turner Overdrive. The former Mayor, Frank Nay, who started the bathtub races would turn 100 this year and his son, Brad Nay plays guitar. What an honour to be able to celebrate this long standing tradition!
Next up is local Nanaimo rock band, Wise Youngblood. This power 4 piece absolutely killed it with Kyle Stephan’s gritty melodic voice and whiskey soaked lyrics, Andrew Harper dropping wicked guitar riffs, David Buchanon slaying the bass and Myles Nowik pulling it all together on drums. Wise Youngblood entertained us with originals such as Pyromaniac, Noon at Night and The new single Robot. Also sweet covers of Where is my Mind by The Pixies and Psychokiller by the Talking Heads. This band has an inviting stage presence that makes you want more!
Headliner Gord Bamford and band were welcomed to the stage by a diverse crowd covered in plaid, boots and a sea of cowboy hats. With songs like Farm Girl Strong, Stayed ’til Two, Drinking Buddy and Livin’ on Summertime had everyone up singing, dancing and just having a down right good time. The party continues with Folsom Prison Blues – Johnny Cash and a few other originals. The band had thier own spotlights through out the concert to showcase their talants. During The Devil went down to Georgia by Charlie Daniels they took turns creating a mashup of songs from newer artists like Adele and Bruno Mars while making sure to rock out on the instrument of thier choice. The fiddle was an awesome display of entertaining and fast finger working talant. The bass player rocked out to Adele sitting at the back of the stage with a broken leg from a previous show.
Fans had been chanting Breakfast Beer for most of the night so Gord Bamford made it worth the wait closing off the show while everyone was having a foot stomping, head bobbing, hip gyrating, beer drinking amazing time!
Photos by Jeremy Mac Knott
Review by Jessica Brady
Meghan Patrick simultaneously electrified & exhausted the Stampede crowd.
Meghan took over and completely owned the Nashville North at the 2018 Calgary Stampede!
