Montreal Oi! Fest returns at the end of April with an impressive lineup full of energy and punk rock spirit. Kicking things off on Friday, April 26th, get ready to groove to the infectious beats of Bishops Green, bringing their West Coast charm all the way from Vancouver to kick off the festivities in style. Joining them are the legendary Partisans, who’ll be delivering their punk rock prowess straight from the UK and Sweden. And that’s just the beginning – brace yourselves for the sonic assault of MESS from Mexico, the raw energy of Fuerza Bruta from the USA, and the unstoppable force of Emp ..read more

At a nicely packed Beanfield Theatre on Wednesday evening, the lights dimmed, and the crowd warmly welcomed the opening act: Noah Gundersen. Armed with nothing but his acoustic guitar and a heart full of soul, Gundersen took the audience on a heartfelt journey through his repertoire. From introspective tunes to fan favourites like “Robin Williams” and “Lose You,” he held the crowd in rapt attention. It was clear there were many fans in the audience but it was the raw emotion of tracks like “First Defeat” and “Sleepless In Seattle” that truly struck a chord, showcasing Gundersen’s ability to ..read more

Noah Kahan and Jensen McRae brought the house down at the Bell Centre with a concert that was nothing short of electrifying! The energy was palpable From start to finish, and the music was infectious. Kahan has such a strong fan base that from the moment I walked into the photo pit, I was greeted with nothing but the warmest welcome and deeply infectious energy and excitement. Jensen McRae kicked off the night with a performance that set the bar high for the evening. Her soulful voice and heartfelt lyrics resonated with the audience, drawing them in and setting the stage for an unforgettable ..read more

The Struts rolled into Place Bell with excellent response and ride quality. Smelling of leather, textiles, aluminium and carbon fibre. Once acceleration hit 126 bpm they never looked back.  Like a slightly more serious “The Darkness”. This band makes you remember a classic rock sound that was gone 30 years ago but will have its glorious days in the spotlight again, reminding you to feel joy and pump your fists and shake your hips. Luke Spiller “Roth’ed” and “Mercury’ed” and “Jagger’ed” and “Rose’ed” and “Joe Elliott’ed” and even “Brian Johnson’ed” all over the stage. His vocals are opera ..read more

In a poignant portrayal of resilience and devotion, acclaimed director Irene Taylor brings forth “I AM: CELINE DION,” a documentary that delves deep into the life of Québécois powerhouse Celine Dion. Set to premiere globally on June 25th, exclusively on Prime Video, the film offers an intimate narrative of the singer’s battle with stiff person’s syndrome, a condition that has shadowed her since late 2022. Far from a glossy showcase of fame and fortune, “I AM: CELINE DION” unfolds as a candid exploration of adversity and triumph. Taylor’s lens captures Dion’s journey with unflinching honesty ..read more

The Emerald Isle is experiencing a vibrant new wave of music, adding to its already rich tapestry of sound. Ireland has always punched above its weight when it comes to musical exports, but there’s no denying something special is happening right now. Look no further than the recent string of phenomenal records from Fontaines D.C., the electrifying indie-punk of Sprints, the dark urgency of The Murder Capital, and the innovative soundscapes of Just Mustard. This is a movement that’s hard to pin down to one genre, but it undeniably pulsates with a raw energy and a distinctly Irish spirit. Back ..read more

Beane Beane is very vulnerable onstage. Speaking about going through the TV music competition system and his family, he really used a lot of his time talking. He could have let his songs do the talking a little more, but relationship-building with the audience is important too, and it seemed like it did him good. Some of us are sharers. Honesty was nice. “My June” is dedicated to his grandmother and the women in his life; it was more upbeat than I expected. I’ll look to stream it on Friday when it comes out. He wants us to dance to “Bitter.” He ditches his guitar, and if that was planned, we ..read more

Bktherula The very moment that Bktherula stepped on stage, the energy throughout the venue flipped to one so incredibly electric. Her stage presence was exactly what an opener’s should be; she completely took over and encouraged the audience to go as hard as they could. She did not stay still for a second; she danced and spit out her lyrics with immaculate flow. The bass was heavy even during her slower songs and brought the audience to dance and jump along while two people with bubble blowers completely encased the first few rows with bubbles. Beanfields’ attendance undoubtedly adored Bkther ..read more

I’d like to begin this review with a caveat. I’ve been a huge Pearl Jam fan since I first saw the “Alive” video on MTV back in 1991. I was at their first-ever European show in a tiny room in Southend-on-Sea and have seen them live 19 more times since. Having said that, though, like a lot of fans, their more recent releases have failed to ignite that same intense passion for the music in quite the same way they used to. I enjoy all of their albums, and there are always incredible songs on each release, but records like “Lightning Bolt” and “Gigaton” always left me hoping for something more. So ..read more

Texas metal outfit Oceans of Slumber have defied genre classification for over a decade. Now, after signing with Season of Mist, the band is pushing boundaries once again with their upcoming fifth album. Their latest single, “Where Gods Fear to Speak,” is a prime example. The track throws together elements of melodic death metal, doom, and black metal, laced with subtle electronic flourishes and a healthy dose of Southern Gothic grit. “We’ve taken the raw and heavier direction of our last two albums and elevated it to the scale of a blockbuster IMAX movie,” says drummer Dobber Beverly, a clas ..read more