Regions

Bob Dylan, Canada, Country, Country Rock, Emmylou Harris, Guitar, Producer, Songwriter, Toronto, Voice, Willie Nelson January 14, 2023

Why Whitehorse’s new album turns up the twang: the pandemic was so apocalyptic, ‘only country music seemed appropriate’

New release I’m Not Crying, You’re Crying sees Toronto duo exploring a part of their musical tastes that Luke Doucet and Melissa McClelland say has always been a part of what they do. By Nick Krewen Special to the Star Well, this is an interesting turn. For the newest Whitehorse effort, the Toronto-based husband-wife duo of Luke Doucet and Melissa McClelland has switched gears from the hip volcanic mélange of…

Arranger, Concert reviews, Elton John, Events, Grammy, JUNO, LGBTQ, Oscar, Piano, Pop, Rock, Songwriter, United Kingdom, Voice September 9, 2022

Elton John pays tribute to Queen Elizabeth II, confesses love for Toronto in memorable farewell

If this was Elton John’s Toronto swan song in terms of concert appearances — he plans to retire from touring live next year — then it was a doozy. By Nick Krewen Special to the Star If this was Sir Elton John‘s Toronto swansong in terms of concert appearances, then it was a doozy. Performing in front of a crowd of 45,000 fans for the second night in a row…

Abel "The Weeknd" Tesfaye, Arranger, Canada, Composer, Dance, Electronic, Grammy, JUNO, Producer, Songwriter, Toronto, Voice July 8, 2022

WORLD PRINT EXCLUSIVE – ‘So humbling and incredible’: The Weeknd talks about his journey from Scarborough to world stages

The Toronto-born superstar, who was supposed to kick off his “After Hours til Dawn” tour Friday, talks about sharing his creative visions and his good fortune. By Nick Krewen Special to the Star Does Abel Tesfaye ever sleep? Judging by the hectic pace of his life these past few months for the 32-year-old, Toronto-born superstar sensation known as The Weeknd, one would have their doubts. Aside from being knee deep…

Comedy, Television, United Kingdom April 14, 2022

John Cleese explains the inspiration behind a classic Monty Python “Holy Grail” skit ahead of Toronto show

Cleese appears at Roy Thomson Hall on April 26 for “An Evening of Exceptional Silliness: Unique Lives and Experience.” By Nick Krewen Special to the Star And now for something completely different: John Cleese, how silly is your upcoming An Evening of Exceptional Silliness  Unique Lives and Experience appearance at Roy Thomson Hall going to be? Very, very silly or just semi-silly?  “I think semi-silly, probably,” responds the legendary British comedian and…

Canada, Indie pop, JUNO, Pop, Songwriter, Toronto February 25, 2022

Singer-songwriter Basia Bulat is back with chamber folk new album The Garden

Nick Krewen Special to the Star February 25, 2022 Toronto-born, Montreal-based one-time Polaris Music Prize finalist used source material from her first five studio albums for album out Feb. 25. There are some strings attached to the new Basia Bulat album that’s dropped. The Toronto-born, Montreal-based, one-time Polaris Music Prize finalist has hired three arrangers — Owen Pallett, Paul Frith and cellist Zou Zou Robidoux — to wrap the 16…