Concert reviews

Chantal Kreviazuk makes her Massey Hall concert a family affair. It just took some time for it to click

The legendary Canadian singer-songwriter had some help from husband Raine Maida’s band Our Lady Peace, plus a supporting act from her son.  By Nick Krewen Special to the Star Chantal Kreviazuk Three stars (out of 4)  Massey Hall, Toronto  Friday, Nov. 8, 2024  The family that plays together, stays together. As cliché as that might seem, that was the conceptual thread that ran through Chantal Kreviazuk’s two-and-a-half hour concert at Massey…

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Bruce Springsteen and the E Street Band bring rock’s greatest show to Toronto

The Boss brought his E Street Band to Scotiabank Arena after postponing last year because of illness. By Nick Krewen Special to the Star **AUTHOR NOTE: Sometimes articles and reviews are edited for brevity. Usually I don’t have a problem with it, but in this case, quite a lot of important info was omitted. In this case, I’m re-inserting text that was extracted in order to give a more complete…


‘Surprise is the essence of music’: Sting still has a few tricks up his sleeve in five-show Toronto stint

By Nick Krewen Special to the Star One amazing evening down … four to go. Rock superstar Sting returned to the familiar and intimate surroundings of Massey Hall Friday night for the first of five concerts in six nights at Toronto’s Grand Old Lady, which — if not unprecedented for the venue — certainly is rare. With his longtime guitarist Dominic Miller and recently recruited Mumford & Sons touring drummer…


Country-hip-hop star Shaboozey shines in Toronto debut — and it’s not just because he had the hit of the summer

Of course, the rising star brought out “A Bar Song (Tipsy),” but one came away with the notion that we were witnessing an artist demonstrating a rare finesse that offers unlimited potential, writes Nick Krewen. by Nick Krewen Special to the Star Shaboozey 4 stars (out of 4) Danforth Music Hall, Toronto, Friday, Sept. 13, 2024 Well, Shaboozey — that was a doozy! If there was any sort of debate…


Jeff Lynne’s ELO bring their rousing jukebox to Toronto for their final tour

he band played the hits from their 50-plus-year career at the Scotiabank Arena. by Nick Krewen Special to the Star Jeff Lynne’s ELO 3.5 stars (out of 4) Scotiabank Arena, Toronto, Monday, Sept. 9, 2024 As the co-founder and creative driving force of the Electric Light Orchestra, Jeff Lynne has regaled audiences with a musical evolution over 50-plus years that has been nothing short of astonishing, moving from symphonic and…