Wow! What a show. Canadian Electro-Pop artist Lights finally made her return to Edmonton after 4 years… and man… what a treat.
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.
Sing Out for CHEO returns this February moves to Lone Star Loft!
Last year we joined forces with several local partners to help present Sing Out for CHEO. This amazing event has featured incredible performances by artists like the River Town Saints, Sandi Skye and, of course, event founder, Danny Sylvestre. We are now happy to announce that the next Sing Out for CHEO event will take place on February 22 at the Lone Star Loft in Ottawa.
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
Her Brothers rocks The Roxy + exclusive news
Her Brothers returned to The Roxy in Vancouver for another electrifyingly high energy show. Before they went on stage, the Vancouver area natives shared some updates fans haven’t heard, exclusively for Sound Check Entertainment.
Shinedown // In This Moment // One Bad Son // 10 Years
Seeing a bill like this take me back to 1998 when it was still possible to go to a show and like every band on the bill. Nowadays with so much diversity within genres it has become rarer and rarer than I am a legitimate fan of all the bands we see one night. This night was very much the exception to that rule.
I’ll have to admit that the name 10 Years didn’t ring any bells when I started listening to them the afternoon before the show. Then I realised that I’ve got at least half dozen of their songs on my current hard rock Spotify playlist. Catchy, energetic, really well written songs were consistent throughout their entire set. A high energy performance from front man Jesse Hasek kept the crowd engaged, while the band behind him played with the experience that can only come from almost two decades on the road. A nice surprise to have an opener of this caliber take the stage before 7pm.
One bad son took the stage next. I’ve seen these guys a few times back in Ontario, even opened for them once or twice. They’re pushing the new wave of Canadian revival rock, and I couldn’t be any happier to see bands like this seeing success. Playing music relatable to the current generation, while putting on a stage show that is relatable to mine, makes a formula that you just can’t go wrong with. So many newer groups make the performance second to their music, and while the reasoning behind this would make for a long article all on it own, I am very happy to report that One Bad Son is not one of these bands. I don’t think Shane Volk could stop rock posing if his life depended on it.
Lead guitarist Adam Hicks is no slouch himself. Spending the majority of the show running back and forth across the stage, with swagger not seen since the late 80’s. Have I mentioned I love their live show? One Bad Son are Canadian rockers at the forefront of Rock and Roll Revival that we so desperately need. Also their drummer looks like Thor. Do not miss these guys if you have a chance.
IN THIS MOMENT.
I honestly have no idea how to even begin to describe this bands live performance. Every act on this tour brings a stage show that could be used as example for any up and coming indie bands who want to take their game to the next level. In This Moment brings a stage production Rob Zombie should be jealous of. Choreographed, natural, and non stop, this is without question the touring act of the summer. Maria Brink knows exactly what she is doing, and she is doing it well. Would love to see more bands following this example.
Without any further adieu, I am going to let my photographs do the talking.
Shinedown, in my honest opinion, are one of the most under rated bands in accessible hard rock these days. They consistently put out album after album chock full of rocking, singable, catchy, high energy tunes, and I do not hear nearly enough of it on the radio.
Lasers, catwalks, and kick-ass rock and roll were consistently delivered throughout there entire set. Singer Brent Smith engages well with his band, the audience, and even us working in the pit, coming down during their second song to shake hands with photogs and security. Showing appreciation for the people that allow him to live the life he does speaks to his humbleness. A rare quality in this industry.
Highly recommend seeing any of these acts if you get the chance. You will not be disappointed.
Photos and review by Dave Di Ubaldo and Natalie Fay of Worn Leather Media. Check them out on facebook, instagram, or on the web.
Silverstein leave their mark on the Marquee
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.
