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When Flanagan’s Pub in Blacklick, Ohio announced on their Facebook page they were going to hold a drive-in “Car-antined” Concert on their property, it generated a lot of excitement. A concert? Here in Ohio? How is this possible with all the concerts and festivals that have been cancelled this year? Well, they got creative, came up with a plan and executed it in the space of a couple days.

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.

A mid-week rock & roll show was just what the crowd at Budweiser Gardens in London needed. Fans of all ages came together for a nostalgic night with Stone Temple Pilots, Seether and Default on November 7th. 

Individually Luka Šulić and Stjepan Hauser are highly skilled and classcially trained cellists from Slovenia and Croatia. Together, and accompanied by an orchestra, a drummer, and an astounding lights show, they are a phenomenon.

Now I have to admit, while I like the Arkells, I never jumped on the buzz-worthy bandwagon that a lot of my peers seem to have. Arkells are solid. They bring energy to every show. They even get political sometimes, and their “Ode to the Whistleblower” is a pretty powerful tune. And much like Glorious Sons (who are coming to the K-Rock Centre in February 2018), the commercial radio/university campus buzz/Canadian indie support for them is not only noticeable but frankly hard to miss.

Weeks of video teasers and anticipation finally paid off on Saturday night at Mavericks at the Eagleson CD release party. The Ottawa heavy hitters pushed out a two song EP that is bound to rock your socks off.

I always love an excuse to go to the city, and rock shows are my favourite kind of excuse. The venue, Marquee Beer Market & Stage, is top notch. I mean, the place has four bars, serves food, has a fantastic stage and lighting set-up, and huge dance floor. Oh, and I can’t not mention the giant disco ball and microphones hanging from the ceiling. This place is a good times factory.  

When Finnish love metal giants HIM announced earlier this year they would be calling it quits after 26 years, it was not really a surprise to many, but yet sad news for their loyal fans all over the world. The band soon announced a worldwide farewell tour Bang & Whimper, and luckily included its only Canadian stop in Toronto on Monday, November 13th.

The Bovine Sex Club is a Toronto venue as unique as it’s name. The 26 year old venue has played host to members of countless different bands, of all different levels on fame. On this particular Friday, the sold out room was graced by a slew of Toronto native celebs, including Ian Thornley and Ron McLean. Anyone who was someone in the 90’s Toronto scene was there, and I was just happy to be part of the mix. It’s not every night that you get to see a reunion show in at a 150 person venue.

So I was sitting in the media lounge at Montebello’s Rockfest. The chalet was beautiful, the staff was welcoming, and the iced coffee had the perfect amount of pep and kick. I was charging my phone battery and preparing for a second day of incredible live music, when who should walk in to charge their phones but punk rock icons Good Riddance.