Canadian Music Week (CMW), presented by Amsterdam Brewery, now in its 37thyear, is Canada’s longest running, largest showcase and conference festival. Taking place May 6-12 across downtown Toronto, the venue centric festival will host both local and international acts over the week kicking off with 70’s rock band Television at The Phoenix. In addition festival event favourites return with the iHeartRadio Fan Fest featuring Marshmello and Neon Dreams (May 8), and The Indies presented by Indie 88 and Jim Beam featuring the Born Ruffians, LA FORCE and The Elwins (May 11). Previously announced acts include The Dandy Warhols, Tokyo Police Club, Azealia Banks, Black Mountain, The King Khan and BBQ Show, The Dirty Nil, Sunflower Bean and more. Stay tuned for info on the free concert at Yonge and Dundas Square.
USS had people jumping in Ottawa
On the first show of their new tour, USS got people jumping at the Algonquin Commons Theatre Monday, where their unique blend of alt-rock and electronic effects made for a memorable show.
Burlington Sound of Music 2018
This year we kicked off summer festival season in southern Ontario once again with none other than Burlington Sound of Music Festival in beautiful Spencer Smith Park on the shores of Lake Ontario. Thankfully we were by the lake because Mother Nature sure brought the heat. If you’ve never been before be sure to check it out next year as the festival celebrates its 40th Anniversary. Throughout the weekend we had the privilege to catch acts such as Tyler Shaw, Scott Helman, Texas King, The Elwins, Royal North, Kongos, See Spot Run, The Pursuit of Happiness and non other than Matthew Good who closed out the festival on Sunday afternoon.
Confession is Good for the Soul
We last caught up with Floridian indie rockers Dashboard Confessional at MacEwen Hall last month in Calgary where they were in town promoting their long anticipated album Crooked Shadows. Last night they visited the Bronson Centre in the nation’s capital city and were preceded by Montreal songstress Gabrielle Shonk and Keswick ON (north of Toronto – I had to look it up too) natives The Elwins.
Dashboard Confessional stop by MacEwen Hall
At 7:20 pm on Monday night 200 or so people waited patiently for opener Gabrielle Shonk to take the stage at MacEwen hall. Ten minutes later their patient was rewarded as the young band took the stage. Playing their own brand of eclectic indie folk. Like a jazz band forgot about diminished chords and got a distortion pedal. Gabrielle shows off her bilingualism as she performs her original number ‘Trop Tard’ in french as the band comes close to the end of it’s half hour set. Lucky to grab this spot opening for childhood idols Dashboard Confessional, and supporting her 2016 debut EP, Gabrielle plugs their first single called habit, about “dudes with bad habits”. While they’re not exactly the genre I usually listen to, this song has definitely earned it’s place on my Spotify playlist. Powerful vocals pulling a cheer from the growing crowd, as avid music fans listened attentively to the soothing melodies of their closing number.
The Calgary Stampede turns up the volume with an expanded festival-style lineup on the Coca-Cola Stage
This year’s Coca-Cola Stage contains the biggest lineup they’ve ever had performing at the Calgary Stampede. Featuring Alessia Cara, The Strumbellas, Nelly Furtado, Ben Harper & The Innocent Criminals & many more, the new & expanded lineup will have music fans rocking through the day & into the night.
The Sheepdogs, Dear Rouge and Half Moon Run to headline 2017 Ottawa Dragon Boat Festival
Annually marking the first weekend of summer, the Tim Hortons Ottawa Dragon Boat Festival brings together North America’s premier dragon boating regatta and an epic lineup of free concerts! This year is no different as the 2017 Ottawa Dragon Boat Festival has put together a top notch lineup.
Sound of Music ’16 Wrap Up
Last weekend Burlington, Ontario played host to its annual Sound of Music Festival that takes place in the heart of Burlington. This is Canada’s LARGEST Free music festival and boy does it rock. This year they had the likes of I Mother Earth, July Talk, Jess Moskaluke and Mother Mother to name a few of the artists that performed to the thousands that came to soak up the tunes and the sunshine.
Hey Rosetta! and Dear Rouge to headline 2016 HOPE Volleyball Summerfest
The HOPE Volleyball SummerFest Mainstage every year brings Canada’s most talented musicians to our stage, to entertain our over 20,000 players & spectators. In partnership with NewCap Radio’s Big Money Shot contesting, whose winners play as our opening acts – we will continue to bring the biggest & brightest to rock Mooney’s Bay Beach!
