Canada

Drake offers worthwhile escapism for his peeps in “the 6”

Drake’s Jungle Tour is a solo love letter to the city, free of celebrity distraction Nick Krewen Music, Wed. June 3, 2015 Drake At the Air Canada Centre, Tuesday, June 2 Welcome to Drake’s jungle, baby. It’s a complex place, one where hanging vines, dry ice waterfalls and the occasional campfire serve as the visual backdrop for the Toronto-born rap superstar’s complex feelings, the inner sanctum of emotions that range…


Tobias Jesso Jr. captivates crowd in solo show: review

The young performer has plenty of room to grow, but the charisma he exudes is certainly half the battle in advancing his career. Nick Krewen Music, Published on Mon Mar 23 2015 Tobias Jesso Jr. 3 stars At the Drake Hotel Underground, Sunday, March 22. Tobias Jesso Jr. knows how to charm his audience. About a half-hour prior to Sunday’s show at the Drake Underground, the 29-year-old Vancouver-born piano balladeer…


The Mau5 That Roars…And Rules

Story by Nick Krewen | March 12, 2015 For SOCAN Words and Music.   He’s the mau5 that continues to roar. And rule. If the maxim “he who has the most toys wins” needs a living example as proof, then EDM superstar deadmau5 – a.k.a. Niagara Falls, ON, native son Joel Zimmerman – is it. Zimmerman’s recent relocation from a pricey downtown Toronto condo to a gargantuan, custom-sized mansion on…


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,…


Nickelback powers down the pyrotechnics: concert review

The band’s return to the ACC finds the usual frenetic energy somewhat lacking, owing to less anthem-y new songs and a very chatty Chad Kroeger, though the execution of the set was technically flawless. Nick Krewen Music, Published on Mon Feb 23 2015 Nickelback 2.5 stars At the Air Canada Centre, Feb. 22. Nickelback has changed its performance tactic. Once a combo that used all the bells and whistles available…