Dance

Bebe Rexha steps into the spotlight

Songwriter behind hits by Eminem, Rihanna and Selena Gomez goes on tour to promote her own sultry urban sound, playing Toronto’s Phoenix on Thursday. Nick Krewen Music, Wed. March 22, 2017 After a few years of hovering in the background and serving as collaborator, Bebe Rexha is finally grabbing the spotlight for herself. The 27-year-old Brooklyn native, appearing at the Phoenix on Thursday, is embarking on her first headlining tour after…


Jenson Vaughan: Just Getting Started

Story by Nick Krewen | March 16, 2017 Decades before Jenson Vaughan became known as a hit maker for Madonna, Britney Spears and currently, High Valley, the Dartmouth, NS, native was in the dark about the artistry it took to write a song. So he plucked one out of the air. “I formed a little a capella group,” says Vaughan, recalling his high-school years. “And because of my jazz background,…


Kid Koala draws upon the winter for new album

Icelandic vocalist completes wintry vibe on Montréal DJ’s ambient new album, which spurs creative Rivoli shows this week. Nick Krewen Music, Jan. 26, 2017 Eric San, a.k.a. Kid Koala, is a seasonal guy. For example, the Montréal-based DJ, musician, turntablist and graphic novelist says that he sees music to draw to: satellite, his new ambient Arts & Crafts album featuring Icelandic singer Emiliana Torrini, as a “winter” record. San, who is…


Madonna in Toronto for most ambitious tour yet: review

  Charismatic singer, 57, puts on physically intense, highly theatrical two-hour show at Air Canada Centre Monday night that shows age is just a number Nick Krewen Music, Published on Tue Oct 06 2015 Madonna AIr Canada Centre. Monday, Oct. 5, 2015. At 57, Madonna is still wears her Rebel Heart on her sleeve. The provocative Miss Ciccone, who has made a career out of pushing buttons and boundaries, continued…


Janet Jackson delivers sonic bombardment of hits at ACC

Air Canada Centre concert a well-oiled, highly choreographed machine meticulously planned down to each breath Nick Krewen Janet Jackson At the Air Canada Centre, Sept. 16, 2015 Sometimes you just have to laugh at the Spinal Tap-ish practices that often occur in the music industry. The latest: when the Star requested a review ticket for Janet Jackson’s Unbreakable tour, which launched in Vancouver on Aug. 31 and had performed eight…