Still kooler than Van Halen

Entertainment / Music Life has its enduring mysteries.  SILVIA MAUTNER / KTG PRESS PHOTO Kool and the Gang opens for Van Halen on Saturday, March 17. Nick Krewen Special to the Star Published on Fri Mar 16 2012   Life has its enduring mysteries. There are the Seven Wonders of the World; the secret of getting caramel into the Caramilk bar and . . . Kool & The Gang opening for Van…


Grimes dances out of Montréal

Entertainment / Music Musician’s tour of acclaimed album, including March 19 stop in Toronto, an opportunity to be homeless.     Claire Boucher is on the road as Grimes. Nick Krewen Special to the Star,  Published on Fri Mar 16 2012 After living in Montréal for five years, Claire Boucher is living the life of a gypsy. “I’m homeless,” says the Vancouver-born Boucher, 23, known professionally as Grimes, from a tour stop in…


Emeli Sandé plays The Drake

Emeli Sande plays The Drake | Toronto Star Singer Emeli Sandé topped U.K. charts with her debut, Version of Our Events, and received the Critics’ Choice Brit Award.  HANDOUT PHOTO Emeli Sandé, who plays The Drake on Wednesday, is the next big thing from the U.K. Nick Krewen  Special to the Star Published on Tue Mar 06 2012 Looking for the Next Big Thing? You can find her Wednesday night onstage at…


Gleeful? Young The Giant just grateful

Entertainment / Music Alt-rock band that’s sold out Sound Academy got behind song’s use against bullying.     Young the Giant’s road schedule sees them return to Toronto in July for Edgefest. Nick Krewen Special to the Star Published on Wed Feb 29 2012 A week ago, Young the Giant had its Glee moment. In one of the better-written episodes of this uneven season, the show’s sensitive theme dealt with the consequences of homophobic…


Pavlo strings the world along

Toronto guitar master’s expanded global sound gets special showcase at Roy Thomson Hall Self-made guitar star Pavlo Simtikidis relaxes in Toronto on the Danforth. Nick Krewen  Special to the Star Published on Wed Feb 22 2012 Pavlo Simtikidis is not a man who operates by convention. For example, the 42-year-old master guitarist, who specializes in Mediterranean-style instrumentals and will be performing selections from his ninth album Six String Blvd, at Roy…