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Ed Sheeran’s folk-pop sheer brilliance shines at Echo Beach: Review

Perhaps there’s hope in the pop world after all. By: Special to The Star Nick Krewen Published on Mon Sep 17 2012 Perhaps there’s hope in the pop world after all. Inundated as we are by hormonal determination of the female tween populace regarding such lightweight romantics as the Justin Biebers, One Directions and numerous copycats whose musical, puppy-eyed declarations of love carry the emotional resonance of a Twix candy…


The Monks’ Bad Habits hard to break

An anomalous punk hit in Canada gets a loving tribute at the Horseshoe. By: Nick Krewen Special to the Star, Published on Wed Jul 25 2012 “Nice legs, shame about her face.” If you’re old enough to remember those lyrics, you’ll recall that circa 1979-1980 there was a band named The Monks that owned Canadian Top 40 radio for a spell with the novel ditty “Drugs In My Pocket.” The…


Gomez goes for variety

Easygoing Brit band plays Mod Club, after a break for health. Gomez called off last year’s tour when Ben Ottewell, centre, lost his singing voice. By: Nick Krewen Special to the Star Published on Fri Jul 20 2012   Gomez likes to mix it up. Part of the charm of the five-piece experimental rock band from Southport, England is that it’s hard to pinpoint their sound. When they first broke…


Maxi Priest’s take on Jamaican history

Concert June 28  to mark independence sparks frank talk from reggae star.   . Nick Krewen Special to the Star Published on Wed Jun 27 2012   A very important milestone in Jamaican history is just around the corner. August 6 marks the 50th anniversary of Jamaican independence from British rule, but Toronto’s Caribbean community is marking the occasion six weeks early with Jamaican Rhythms. To be held June 28…


Nellie McKay embraces music, keeps public at bay

Wide-ranging chanteuse ends boycott of Canada with Horseshoe gig. Nellie McKay plays the Horseshoe Tavern on June 30.     Nick Krewen Special to the Star Published on Wed Jun 27 2012   It’s hard to know where to start with Nellie McKay. Over eight years and five albums, the enormously talented British-born New Yorker has immersed herself in disciplines both visual and musical, ranging from acting in major motion…