Warped whips up crowd

Entertainment / Music Warped whips up crowd | Toronto Star The annual Vans Warped Tour rocked the GTA, with lesser-known bands stealing the spotlight   Nick Krewen Published on Sat Jul 16 2011 If there was a moment that truly encapsulated the essence of the Vans Warped Tour, whose 17th edition entertained tens of thousands at Mississauga’s Arrow Flats (a fancy name for “parking lot”) on Friday night, it was provided not…


Local talent adds to sharp day at Edgiest

Local talent adds to sharp day at Edgefest | Toronto Star Rise Against makes for aggressive, engaged headliner to cap Canuck-filled bill. Nick Krewen Special to the Star Published on Sun Jul 10 2011 The sun wasn’t the only thing blazing at Downsview Park this past Saturday. The 17 acts that comprised Edgefest 2011 all packed their own heat, offering a solid 10-and-a-half hour marathon of sweltering rock ’n’ roll…


Music’s Selling Power

Music’s Selling Power MUSIC PROVIDES AN INTEGRAL BACKGROUND IN THE SENSORY BRANDING INDUSTRY July 07, 2011 — 4:41 pm PDT Nick Krewen / GRAMMY.com It was once known — and snidely regarded — as “elevator music.” But 77 years after it was first introduced, Muzak, and other forms of business-applicable music, is considered to be an integral part of the rising sensory branding industry, which engages consumers to improve their…


Brian Wilson: Talking about ‘Plenty O’ Nuttin’

Entertainment / Music Pop visionary chats, just a bit, about Gershwin before Toronto show.     Pop legend Brian Wilson got a chance to complete two unfinished George Gershwin songs for his recent album. Nick Krewen Special to the Star Published on Fri Jun 17 2011 Has pop music ever had a more tortured soul than visionary Brian Wilson? From the physical and psychological abuse inflicted by an intimidating father, to his…


Robyn opens venue in style

Robyn opens venue in style | Toronto Star Swedish electro-pop star Robyn christened Toronto’s newest general admission concert venue — the 4,000-person-capacity Echo Beach — Friday night with a core set that surprisingly lasted less than an hour. Nick Krewen Published on Sat Jun 04 2011 Swedish electro-pop star Robyn christened Toronto’s newest general admission concert venue — the 4,000-person-capacity Echo Beach — Friday night with a core set that…