Pop

Ariana Grande takes flight at the ACC: concert review

The young “Problem” singer proves she’s got longevity, with a surprisingly under-utilized voice and a large, smartly G-rated production. Nick Krewen Music, Published on Mon Mar 09 2015   Ariana Grande 3 stars At the Air Canada Centre, March 8 Merchandisers did brisk business on plastic glow-in-the-dark cat ears Sunday night at the Air Canada Centre. The significance? At least a couple thousand girls — the audience was probably 90…


Dan Mangan forges new frontiers with Blacksmith

The Juno-winning musician and songwriter rides a layered new album into Saturday’s Massey Hall show. Nick Krewen Music, Published on Wed Feb 25 2015 Dan Mangan is going deep. The 31-year-old eloquent, observant singer and songwriter has returned with a newly named band Blacksmith to introduce what’s arguably his finest album to date in Club Meds. The Smithers, B.C., native views the CD, his first since 2011’s Juno-winning Oh Fortune,…


Radio Ga Ga

Artists across multiple genres have carved out a new niche for their careers on the other side of the radio dial GRAMMY.com Nick Krewen “Debbie Gibson Is Pregnant With My Two-Headed Love Child,” he musically boasted in 1989. But even during the most infamous stages of his recording career, Mojo Nixon knew his days as an outrageously outspoken cult roots rocker were numbered. “I knew, and I knew early on…


Siblings Jill and Matthew Barber play Massey Hall Nov. 15

Jill will showcase material from Fool’s Gold, while Matthew has new album Big Romance Nick Krewen Music, Published on Fri Nov 14 2014   Jill Barber has been waiting for this. When the 34-year-old singer and songwriter takes to the Massey Hall stage on Saturday night as headliner, it will be the crowning achievement thus far of a career that has taken the Port Credit native through numerous styles, seven…


Sinéad O’Connor gives audience what they want

Controversial Irish singer delivers a mostly solid set of old and new favourites to adoring Toronto fans.   Nick Krewen Music, Published on Sat Oct 25 2014 Sinéad O’ Connor at Massey Hall 3 stars Boy, have they missed her. The moment the diminutive Sinéad O’Connor stepped on the Massey Hall stage on Friday night, she was greeted with a standing ovation so thunderous, she literally couldn’t start the show…