Events

Concert reviews, Country, Events, Hip-Hop, Outlaw Country, United States, Voice September 14, 2024

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…

Beatles, Bob Dylan, Concert reviews, Events, Pop, Rock, Tom Petty, United Kingdom September 10, 2024

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…

Bass, Blackie & The Rodeo Kings, Canada, Canadian Music Hall Of Fame, Cinema, Composer, Drums, Festivals, Garage Rock, Guitar, Indie, Producer, Rock, Rock 'N Roll, Songwriter, The Tragically Hip, Toronto, Voice September 5, 2024

Revisiting his brother’s death for a Tragically Hip docuseries was the hardest but also most fulfilling thing Mike Downie has ever done

“It wasn’t uncommon for me to have a good cry,” says Mike Downie about making a documentary about brother Gord Downie and his band. The Tragically Hip: No Dress Rehearsal debuts at TIFF on Sept. 5. by Nick Krewen Special to the Star Mike Downie’s labour of love was also his toughest assignment. As the director and producer of the superb four-hour-plus documentary The Tragically Hip: No Dress Rehearsal that…

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…