Festivals

Pink Martini tries substitute ingredients

Pink Martini tries substitute ingredients | Toronto Star Absent singer spurs eclectic Blackcreek performers to shake up lineup.   Pink Martini is still led by Thomas Lauderdale, centre blond, but singer China Forbes won’t be here. Nick Krewen Special To The Star,  Published on Tue Jul 19 2011 First of all, let’s get the disappointment out of the way, Pink Martini fans. When Portland, Oregon’s eclectic 13-piece “little orchestra” headlines…


Warped whips up crowd

Entertainment / Music Warped whips up crowd | Toronto Star The annual Vans Warped Tour rocked the GTA, with lesser-known bands stealing the spotlight   Nick Krewen Published on Sat Jul 16 2011 If there was a moment that truly encapsulated the essence of the Vans Warped Tour, whose 17th edition entertained tens of thousands at Mississauga’s Arrow Flats (a fancy name for “parking lot”) on Friday night, it was provided not…


Local talent adds to sharp day at Edgiest

Local talent adds to sharp day at Edgefest | Toronto Star Rise Against makes for aggressive, engaged headliner to cap Canuck-filled bill. Nick Krewen Special to the Star Published on Sun Jul 10 2011 The sun wasn’t the only thing blazing at Downsview Park this past Saturday. The 17 acts that comprised Edgefest 2011 all packed their own heat, offering a solid 10-and-a-half hour marathon of sweltering rock ’n’ roll…


Canadian musicians rise to challenge of Lilith’s return

Entertainment / Music Despite a disappointing lineup, Mary J. Blige, Sarah McLachlan and many smaller musicians played to an approving audience     Nick Krewen Special To The Star Published on Sun Jul 25 2010 When opportunity knocked, Canadian women answered. The departure of several headliners from the Lilith tour — Kelly Clarkson and Norah Jones among them — meant that space had opened up for several domestic acts to demonstrate their…


Broken/Pavement concert reveals hometown edge

Saturday’s concert at Olympic Island had an enviable conclusion, and some unfortunate openers. Nick Krewen Special to the Star, Published on Mon Jun 21 2010 Playing to the hometown crowd has its advantages. While Saturday’s Olympic Island Festival 2010 concert marathon headlined by Pavement may have marked the return of the influential New York lo-fi cult legends to Canada, there was no mistaking that this was Broken Social Scene’s party….