Concert tours are a lot like poker. You never know what hand you’re dealt until game day. Some nights you’ll have nothing in your hand and other nights you’ll get lucky and end up with a full house. Last night in Ottawa Tebey got just that, a full house.
Half Moon Run is Stellar at TD Place
Friday, January 31st saw Montreal indie-rockers Half Moon Run bring their ‘A Blemish in the Great Light’ World tour to TD Place in Ottawa. Their 19-song set was a melange of music from their previous 2 albums along with their November 2019 release. Early in the eve, Devon Protielje exclaimed “This is a good place to be Ottawa” and indeed he was right. The night ebbed and flowed as they wove through the songs that shaped their set. From the opening crescendo builds that bind “21 Gun Salute”, to the softer silken harmonies of “Need It”, to the formidably heavier moments in “She Wants To Know”, there was a particularly pleasing oscillation in intensity. This was amplified by the talents of a string quartet accompanying them, at times ethereally emerging from the shadows of the stage.
Notably, there were some non-music moments that had uplifting qualities that made the night even more memorable. Gratitude was expressed by the band to their fans, for this was their first headline arena show, and sold out no less. Also, the band recognized their tour manager, Doug, for he happily found out that day he was going to be a Dad. Also, the sheer glee in the face of a little tyke as he rose from the stands and giggled to the audience’s applause, after being acknowledged by the band for contributing his “cooing” to the intro of “Razorblade”.
After a standing ovation for the original 3-song encore, the band returned with an acoustic gather ‘round one mic performance of “Sun Leads Me On”. A well chosen end to an indelible evening. Last Fall, Half Moon Run was nominated for a Juno award for Adult Alternative Album of the Year, an accolade last night’s performance underscored is so well deserved.
Opening the evening was Winnipeg-native Taylor Janzen. This young artist, guitar in hand, came to the stage with a story to tell and beautifully balanced voice to express it. At 20 years old, this accomplished singer-songwriter has 2 critically acclaimed EPs under her belt, and her recent release “What I Do..” was recognized as a critical cut by SiriusXM. Though the Ottawa show represented her last stop on this tour, after a brief sojourn Half Moon Run continues with European dates the end of February through March, before being back in Montreal for 2 sold out shows for a home-town crowd.
more photos from the show
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- Taylor Janzen performs in Ottawa supporting Half Moon Run
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- Half Moon Run perform a sold out show in Ottawa.
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- Half Moon Run perform a sold out show in Ottawa.
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- Half Moon Run perform a sold out show in Ottawa.
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- Half Moon Run perform a sold out show in Ottawa.
THE BLACK KEYS LET’S ROCK CANADA
Today, The Black Keys confirmed their Let’s Rock Canada 10-date tour throughout May 2020. The band, joined by very special guests The Sheepdogs and Early James, will perform in cities including Montreal, Ottawa, Calgary and Edmonton (full dates below). Tickets for all dates will go on sale on January 31 at 12pm local time (with the exception of their Montreal show which will go on sale February 7 at 12pm) here.
Yeah buddy! Pauly D is in da house!
Ottawa’s Algonquin Commons Theatre momentarily turned into a Las Vegas night club on Friday when Pauly D, of Jersey Shore fame, brought the beats and the bass to our capital city.
Dorothy lands in the Capital
L. Frank Baum’s cherished tale The Wizard of Oz, is vividly brought to life by choreographer Septime Webre in this new story ballet. Audiences can expect the classic plotline they know and love, from an on-stage twister in Kansas to the explosion of colour and fantastical costumes in Oz. Dorothy, the Scarecrow, Tin Man and the Cowardly Lion journey down the Yellow Brick Road to the Emerald City with new music composed specially for the ballet by Matthew Pierce. With visual projections creating a cinematic feel, brilliant dancing and flying monkeys, this is where Ballet meets Broadway glitz. Canada’s Royal Winnipeg Ballet shines in this impressive production—a joint commission with Kansas City Ballet and Colorado Ballet—that is sure to please ballet aficionados and newcomers alike. (more…)
CREEPING DEATH CONFIRMS NORTH AMERICAN TOUR WITH THE ACACIA STRAIN AND WEEK-LONG HEADLINING RUN TO COMMENCE THIS WEEK
SHOWS IN TORONTO, OTTAWA AND MONTREAL
NEW ALBUM WRETCHED ILLUSIONS
OUT NOW VIA EONE
PEARL JAM – 2020 TOUR DATES
New Pearl Jam Album, Gigaton, Available Friday, March 27
Pre-order now at pearljam.com
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Pearl Jam North American Spring Tour Dates
Ten Club ticket presale and Ticketmaster Verified Fan® entry start today,
Public tickets on sale Friday, January 24
COUNTRY FUZZ PRESENTS: THE CADILLAC THREE TOUR
It may be a ballsy move for The Cadillac Three to name their new album LEGACY, but if any country band has the shared history to lay claim to such a weighty title, it’s the long haired trio of Nashville natives.
Singer-guitarist Jaren Johnston, drummer Neil Mason and lap-steel player Kelby Ray have known one another since they were teens and have been sharing stages together for nearly 15 years. This summer, they’ll headline their hometown’s most famous venue, the Ryman Auditorium, just a few blocks from where Johnston and Ray sat in high-school math class daydreaming about one day playing the legendary hall. Johnston’s connection to the Ryman goes back even further: his father has been a drummer at the Grand Ole Opry since Jaren was a child. And now he has a son of his own, who, like his old man, will be well-versed in all the sounds that make up both Music City and The Cadillac Three, from country and blues to rock & roll.
ZZ TOP ANNOUNCE MORE DATES FOR THEIR 2020 CANADIAN TOUR
Rock and Roll Hall of Famers ZZ Top are bringing their ‘Celebration with ZZ Top’ tour to Canada in late April/May 2020. Kicking off the tour April 29th in Victoria, BC, the real Tres Hombres will play dates across BC, Alberta and Saskatchewan, with new dates added across Ontario. Cheap Trick will join on the dates as special guest.
