BKonthescene

Where the arts come together

Category: Music Reviews

  • Butcher Babies,Hatebreed+B.L.S.-Jan.,8th,2014@Kool Haus

    It was a “Swan Song” for the legendary “Kool Haus” in Toronto as this was indeed the very last Rock N’ Roll concert before the historical Kool Haus and Guvernment will be torn down for condominiums. This event went out with a “Big Bang.” It wasn’t easy to take pictures or concentrate on the show…

  • Cat Stevens/Yusuf”Peace Train,Late Again Tour”-Mon.,Dec.1st,2014@Massey Hall

    It was dubbed “Peace Train……Late Again Tour”! as Cat Stevens/Yusuf played to a sold out crowd at Massey Hall.  The backdrop on stage was a train station and the billboard sign read”Toronto.” It’s been 38 years since he last played in Toronto and by the reaction of the crowd it seemed like an eternity for…

  • Liv, Love and Lyrics In Memory Of Olivia Wise+Livwise Foundation-Sun.,Nov.30th,2014@The Toronto Centre for the Arts in North York

    Photography by Dino Funez The Concert in memory of Olivia Wise http://www.livwisefund.com/(LivWise Foundation) helping support children’s grief program called Liv, Love and Lyrics was held at The Toronto Centre for the Arts in North York Kari Winemaker’s daughter Olivia Wise died of brain cancer in November 2013. Her family’s LivWise Foundation hosted a concert entitled,…

  • Slipknot with Korn – Sun.,Nov.30th,2014 @ACC

      It was the “Prepare For Hell Tour” as headliner Slipknot welcomed fellow brother Korn to this world tour for 2014. 1st opening act “King” could not come over the border which meant a small wait til Korn came on stage at the ACC. Inconsistent sound, proved to be an issue for  Korn, but they…

  • Canadian Opera Company – Ensemble Studio Competition Gala, Nov. 25, 2014 @Four Seasons Centre

    The Canadian Opera Company (COC) hosted the 2nd Annual Centre Stage Ensemble Studio Competition Gala at the Four Seasons Centre to showcase 7 of Canada’s next opera stars.  Their journey began November 24, 2014 in a competition judged by a jury and the audience’s choice as well.  The prizes for the competition was $5,000 for…

  • JOHN FOGERTY — 1969: LIVE ACROSS CANADA at Casino Rama (Nov 12, 2014)

    by Bill Kwan When you arrive at the Casino Rama concert venue, you are quickly transformed back into “1969”, a vibrant but turbulent period in American history.  The stage backdrop was filled with images of 1969 — hippies dancing, old 45 vinyl records and pictures of John Fogerty’s legendary old band Creedence Clearwater Revival (not…

  • JACK BRUCE RIP 1943 – 2014

    “Jack Bruce, probably the most musically gifted bass player who’s ever been” – Roger Waters “He was a great musician and composer, and a tremendous inspiration to me” – Eric Clapton “I am very sad to learn of the loss of a fine man, Jack Bruce… My thoughts & wishes are with his family at…

  • Fleetwood Mac-Sat.,Oct.18th,2014@A.C.C.

    As a young teen it was a tradition to see a”Summer Rock Concert Festival”and one of my first ones that I saw as a teen was headliners Fleetwood Mac with The Steve Miller Band at the old Rich Stadium in Buffalo in 1978. At the height of their commercial success with the multi-platiumn “Rumours” Lindsey…

  • JUDAS PRIEST @ Casino Rama with Steel Panther (October 7, 2014)

    A stellar double bill of metal legends Judas Priest with opener Steel Panther invaded Casino Rama in Orillia. Well, if you were expecting a comedic “Spinal Tap” type of show for opener Steel Panther Tuesday night –you would be sorely wrong. I was pleasantly surprised to see that the band was pretty accomplished in playing their instruments. True, it…

  • 2014 JUNO Nominee Alysha Brilla “Womyn” Album Release Party @ The Painted Lady (Wednesday, Oct 1)

    Alysha Brilla, (2014 Juno Nominee) “Womyn” Album Release showcase performance took place on Wed Oct 1, 2014 at The Painted Lady (218 Ossignton Avenue).  Walking from my office located in the business district of downtown Toronto, to an intimate bar, The Painted Lady, I found myself feeling a little overdressed…but actually relaxed. As I made my way past the…

  • The Ochestra (E.L.O.) @ the C.N.E Bandshell, Sun Aug 24 2014

    by Bill Kwan The original leaders: Jeff Lynne and Bev Bevan are no longer with the new version of E.L.O. But in no way did that take away from the enjoyment of listen to all the hits of the multi-talented former members and new members of “The Orchestra”. And what a beautiful night it was…

  • Linkin Park Carnivores Tour @ the A.C.C., Sun Aug 24 2014

    by Bill Kwan Linkin Park played at the Air Canada Centre on Sunday, Aug 24th, 2014. Feeling somewhat felt like one of those D.J. showcases that are so popular but with an edge and some “real musicians”, it was a unique concert experience. Don’t get me wrong, I’m a fan of Linkin Park and love…

  • Alice in Chains @ Casino Rama, Sat Aug 23 2014

    by Bill Kwan Alice In Chains played to a capacity crowd in Orillia @ Casino Rama on Sat., Aug 23rd, 2014. This writer had a chance to meet the members before the show. The band members I heard are fan friendly and it showed when I introduced myself to each of the band members. I…

  • Deep Purple @ Casino Rama, Fri Aug 22 2014

    by Bill Kwan When Deep Purple played at the Casino Rama Entertainment Centre, it was a testament to greatness. The English rock band was founded in 1968 and are spoken in the same breath of Rock Royalty in the company of other venerable bands such as Led Zepplin and Black Sabbath. It’s inconceivable that this…

  • The Mavericks @ The CNE Bandshell, Sat August 15 2014

    by Bill Kwan During The Mavericks concert at the CNE, lead singer Raul Malo remarked how even as cold as Toronto is, it’s still a great city. Not that the fans seemed to mind the climate commentary, as the crowd stormed the front area dancing the night away for two hours to the band’s catalogue…

  • Alice Cooper & Motley Crue-Sun., Aug. 10th, 2014 @Molson Amphitheatre

    by Bill Kwan Alice Cooper opened for Motley Crue with Hello Hooray and kept the show rolling with his roster of hits including; Million Dollar Babies, Welcome to My Nightmare and Eighteen. With his usual flair for theatrics, Cooper delivered with his signature python routine, the guillotine and transforming into Frankenstein! It was a stellar…

  • Big Sugar @ Speakeasy 21, Thu July 31 2014

    by Bill Kwan It was a warm night in Toronto’s Financial District where Gordie Johnson (guitar and vocals) and Kelly Hoppe (harmonica and vocals) of the Big Sugar band brought their music to Speakeasy 21. The crowd enjoyed a spirited acoustic set with Big Sugar’s hits and a lot of Blue’s cover tunes. And with…

  • Guess Who’s Coming To Dinner, Eh? Dine Alone Records, That’s Who …

    Dinner is Served! Got a little package in the mail from a Canadian music label called Dine Alone Records. Unbeknownst to me (after a quick Wiki search), I discovered that this was a little (?) homegrown independent Canadian record label. Started in 2005, Dine Alone Records debuted with a little band called City and Colour and since…

  • Soundgarden & NIN @ the Molson Amphitheatre, Sun, July 27th, 2014

    by Bill Kwan It may have been a rainy day at the Molson Amphitheater on Sunday, but in no way did that dampen the spirits of the audience who was treated to two superstar bands of the 80’s and 90’s; Soundgarden and Nine Inch Nails. Current membersline up are: Chris Cornell – lead vocals Kim Thayil –…

  • Megadeth – Sat July 19 2014 @ Casino Rama

    by Bill Kwan Megadeth played to a capacity crowd in the usually conservative srtage of Casino Rama. Once in a while this venue needs it’s foundation shaken up with a powerful dose of “Heavy Metal”. And all four members of the band were up to the task, giving the audience a rousing performance that put…