Events

Africa, Arranger, Canada, Country, Elton John, Events, Festivals, Guitar, LGBTQ, Pop, Songwriter, Toronto, Voice August 3, 2024

‘I was at a breaking point’: Why masked country-pop star Orville Peck dropped everything last year and returned with a terrific duets album

The musician’s new record, ‘Stampede,’ features Willie Nelson, Beck, Elton John and Kylie Minogue. By Nick Krewen Special to the Star Who is that masked man? It’s a question that proudly gay South African country singer and songwriter Orville Peck had been asking himself lately. In fact, when Peck, known for concealing his face in public, headlined the Budweiser Stage on July 3, he revealed to the audience that his…

Alt. Rock, Art Rock, Canada, Concert reviews, Events, Grammy, Harp, Indie pop, JUNO, Pop, Rock, Rock 'N Roll Hall Of Fame, Toronto, Uncategorized, Voice July 14, 2024

Iconic singers Alanis Morissette and Joan Jett rock Budweiser Stage with nostalgia-filled sets

Although there’s no doubt that Morissette gave it her all, there was a problem that dampened proceedings: a bad sound mix, writes Nick Krewen By Nick Krewen Special to the Star Alanis Morissette and Joan Jett Three stars (out of four)  Budweiser Stage on Saturday, July 13, 2024  Isn’t she iconic? True that the term “iconic” has been employed to the point of nausea by every well-meaning publicist grasping for…

CMA, Concert reviews, Country, Events, Hip-Hop, Nashville, United States July 11, 2024

In his stunning four-star Toronto debut, Jelly Roll proves he’s the rock star the world needs now

The message of his hybrid rock, country and hip-hop sound is all about life and its struggles and imperfections. By Nick Krewen Special to the Star Jelly Roll 4 stars (out of 4) History, Toronto, Wednesday, July 10 Jelly Roll finally made History Wednesday night. Not actual history, although in retrospect some may eventually see it that way, but specifically, he performed at the popular Toronto music venue. Up until…

Adult Contemporary, Alt. Rock, Americana, Arranger, Blues, Bruce Cockburn, Canada, Canadian Music Hall Of Fame, Festivals, Folk, Gordon Lightfoot, Guitar, JUNO, Neil Young, Rock, San Francisco, Songwriter, Toronto, Voice July 3, 2024

As he gets inducted into the Mariposa Hall of Fame, Bruce Cockburn looks back on the highs and lows of summer festivals

The 79-year-old musician will play the Lightfoot Stage at the Mariposa Folk Festival in Orillia on July 7.  By Nick Krewen Special to the Star The second time he played the Mariposa Folk Festival, in 1969, Bruce Cockburn wasn’t supposed to headline. That honour belonged to Neil Young, fresh from his split with Buffalo Springfield, until a last-minute health issue forced the Ottawa-born folksinger and songwriter — who, until that point, had…

Alberta, British Columbia, Canada, Events, Folk, Halifax, Hamilton, Manitoba, Montréal, Newfoundland, Nova Scotia, Prince Edward Island, Québec, Saskatchewan, Stratford, The Tragically Hip, Therapeutic, Toronto, Tourism, Travel, Vancouver June 24, 2024

From ‘Bobcaygeon’ to ‘Sudbury Saturday Night’ — this musician is cycling across Canada to learn about the places made famous in song

Aengus Finnan’s musical journey will end in mid-September on Vancouver Island.  By Nick Krewen Special to the Star As our country celebrates its 157th birthday, July 1 will find Aengus Finnan in the midst of a nation-hugging project of his own, one he calls “The Great Canadian Song Cycle.” It’s both a literal and figurative adventure: the folk musician and administrator is currently wheeling across our land on his trusty…