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Metallica matches huge roar with big spectacle: review

Heavy-metal veterans show their opening acts and 40,000-plus fans how it’s done. Nick Krewen, Music, Mon. July 17, 2017 Metallica   Sunday, July 16 at Rogers Centre The members of Metallica may be greying around the temples, but their ferocity still packs the mightiest of roars. Thirty-two years after the brazen four-piece from San Rafael, Calif. made its Toronto debut at The Concert Hall (back at a time when the…


Avenged Sevenfold pleased to pause arena tour play even larger stage opening for Metallica

Guitarist Brian “Synyster Gates” Haner Jr. remains proud of their ambitious recent album The Stage — on one track, featuring Neil deGrasse Tyson. Nick Krewen Music, Sat. July 15, 2017 They may be perched atop the throne of the heavy-metal world, but Huntington Beach, Calif.’s Avenged Sevenfold aren’t afraid to take risks when it involves the bigger picture. Take, for example, this Sunday’s extravaganza that finds them sandwiched between superstar…


Christine McVie and Lindsey Buckingham: Going their own way for now

Duo plays Budweiser Stage July 5 to promote new album, but McVie can’t wait for the next Fleetwood Mac tour. Nick Krewen Music Wed., July 5, 2017 Time to dispel some rumours. First: Fleetwood Mac’s upcoming trek scheduled to celebrate the British/U.S. hybrid band’s 50th anniversary in 2018 will not be their final tour. Second: the new eponymously titled Lindsey Buckingham Christine McVie was never an aborted Fleetwood Mac project….


Tim McGraw and Faith Hill woo Toronto fans with romantic production: review

Country music’s royal couple brought white picket fence values to the Toronto leg of their Soul2Soul World Tour. Nick Krewen, Music, Sat. June 24, 2017 Tim McGraw and Faith Hill at the Air Canada Centre, June 23 In movies they call it “The Big Payoff.” You’ve all seen it: the two lead characters form a bond, build up romantic tension and then seal their attraction with a lengthy kiss. On…


10-time Grammy winner Bonnie Raitt learned her craft from country blues greats

The singer-songwriter, who will return to the Sony Centre for the Performing Arts on June 9, says she wasn’t aware of how much impact she’s made during her career. Nick Krewen, Music, Sat. June 3, 2017 A master of the Stratocaster, 10-time Grammy Award recipient Bonnie Raitt has always been perceived as a trail-blazing role model who inspires female musicians to pick up the guitar and express their individuality. But it…