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Bruce Springsteen and the E Street Band bring rock’s greatest show to Toronto

The Boss brought his E Street Band to Scotiabank Arena after postponing last year because of illness. By Nick Krewen Special to the Star **AUTHOR NOTE: Sometimes articles and reviews are edited for brevity. Usually I don’t have a problem with it, but in this case, quite a lot of important info was omitted. In this case, I’m re-inserting text that was extracted in order to give a more complete…


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…


In his stunning four-star Toronto debut, Jelly Roll proves he’s the rock star the world needs now

The message of his hybrid rock, country and hip-hop sound is all about life and its struggles and imperfections. By Nick Krewen Special to the Star Jelly Roll 4 stars (out of 4) History, Toronto, Wednesday, July 10 Jelly Roll finally made History Wednesday night. Not actual history, although in retrospect some may eventually see it that way, but specifically, he performed at the popular Toronto music venue. Up until…


Remembering the Toronto music exec who helped shape the careers of Bob Dylan and Leonard Cohen

Artists as diverse as Van Morrison, Thin Lizzy and the Marshall Tucker Band were touched by Mary Martin’s expertise. By Nick Krewen Special to the Star If the only thing Toronto’s Mary Martin had achieved during her extraordinary career was introducing Bob Dylan to the Hawks, it would have been enough to enshrine her place in music history. But Martin, who died July 4 in Nashville at the age of…


As he gets inducted into the Mariposa Hall of Fame, Bruce Cockburn looks back on the highs and lows of summer festivals

The 79-year-old musician will play the Lightfoot Stage at the Mariposa Folk Festival in Orillia on July 7.  By Nick Krewen Special to the Star The second time he played the Mariposa Folk Festival, in 1969, Bruce Cockburn wasn’t supposed to headline. That honour belonged to Neil Young, fresh from his split with Buffalo Springfield, until a last-minute health issue forced the Ottawa-born folksinger and songwriter — who, until that point, had…