BKonthescene

Where the arts come together

Category: Music Reviews

  • TD TORONTO JAZZ FESTIVAL 2015: Gary Clar Jr. @ Nathan Phillips Square | Toronto Star Stage (June 27, 2015)

    Austin, Texas guitarist Gary Clark Jr. a guitarist since the age of 12, played to a capacity crowd at The Toronto Jazz Festival on a rainy and windy Saturday night. Probably one of the biggest crowd during the 2015 version of this festival. A naturally humble and shy man, Clark was situated on the left…

  • Heart-Thurs.,June 25th,2015@Fallsview Avalon Ballroom

    Heart is the famous rock band that was formed in the early 1970s and went through multiple incarnation of the group. Ann and Nancy Wilson are the only two members of the band who has been consistently in the group. The sisters are the only two longest lasting members of the band who continue to…

  • 26th Annual Socan Awards+Gala-Mon.,June 22nd,2015@Westin Harbour Castle

    SOCAN honored the legendary Randy Bachman, Bernie Finkelstein, and Mars Bonfire with a lifetime achievement award and the Canadian music industry honoured some of Canada’s most talented songwriters, composers, lyricists and music publishers at the 26th Annual SOCAN Awards Gala. The event acknowledges SOCAN members’ outstanding national and international achievements from the previous year. Past…

  • TD TORONTO JAZZ FESTIVAL 2015: Tower Of Power @ Nathan Phillips Square | Toronto Star Stage (June 20, 2015)

    Tower of Power has been blending their own kind of soul,funk and R+B music For over 40 years, Since 1968, Tower of Power has delivered their unique brand of music to their fans, as they tour the world each year. Their high-energy funk, soul and R&B recordings are legendary and so was the concert for…

  • Upcoming: NEXT MUSIC FROM TOKYO VOL 7 (June 12/13 2015)

    NEXT MUSIC FROM TOKYO VOL 7 happens June 12+13 in Toronto, along with shows in Montreal and Vancouver. Read our coverage from last year, HERE… If you went last year, you will know that it always sells out ($10 Advance, $15 at Door) — plus the bands Steve (organizer) picks are always “kick-ass”! Keep in mind:…

  • Shine:An Evening Celebrating ESA(Etobicoke School Of The Arts-Thurs.,May 28th,2015@Winter Garden Theatre

    It was the first of what we hope to be an annual gala event to celebrate alumni and current students while raising funds for the ESA. Shine: An Evening Celebrating ESA(Etobicoke School Of Arts), an evening of Singers, Dancers, Filmmakers, Actors, Artists and Musicians. The Co-Hosts for the night(and parents of ESA grads), Robin Duke…

  • Jason Bonham’s Led Zeppelin Experience-Thurs.,May 21st,2015@Casino Rama

    The Jason Bonham Experience and his band mates arrived at the Casino Rama stage to a standing ovation. Immediately upon arrival the band opened the set with “The Song Remains The Same” which got the crowd off their seats and pumped up. The set was impressive, with the band doing a respectful tribute to one of the greatest…

  • Sixx A.M.-Thurs.,April 23rd,2015@The Phoenix Theatre

    Photography by Scott Hughes Sixx A.M. played the intimate Phoenix Theatre on Thursday. Los Angeles-based hard rock band Sixx:AM, features: James Michael (acclaimed producer and vocalist), Nikki Sixx (Mötley Crüe, bass) and DJ Ashba (Guns n’ Roses/Beautiful Creatures, guitar)They have embarked on their first-ever headline tour with a packed house at their sold out first…

  • Lynyrd Skynyrd-Fri.,March 27th,2015@Casino Rama

    Photography by Scott Hughes In 1969, Ronnie Van Zant sought a name.for his Rock Band and  The group settled on Leonard Skinnerd, and eventually spelled “Lynyrd Skynyrd”  a mocking tribute to a physical-education teacher at Robert E. Lee High School in Jacksonville, Florida who was notorious for strictly enforcing the school’s policy against boys having…

  • Kodo One Earth Tour+Nagata Shachy-Thurs.,March 12th,2015@Sony Centre

    “Kodo One Earth Tour:- Mystery,”is the latest production from the Japanese Taiko Drummers, the profound world of “Mystery.”the second work directed by artistic director Tamasaburo Bando,  with a tour around the USA and Canada from January through March 2015 arrived at The Sony Centre on Thursday. No pictures were allowed during the performance until the…

  • Juno Awards Announcement-Wed.,Feb.18th,2015@Casbah-Hamilton

    By Newton Yee Each year, the JUNO Awards recognizes Canadian music artists. This year’s show has an exciting lineup of nominees, performers, and events throughout JUNO week. JUNO week starts March 9, and culminates with the awards ceremony in Hamilton Place on March 15. The press release was hosted at the Casbah. The JUNO announcements…

  • Friday Night Jazz-with Stacey Renee-Fri.,Jan.9th,2015@Ripley’s Aquarium

    We are setting the mood of dim lights, basement studio and fans waiting for amazing vocals from a Torch Song Singer. Well Ripley’s Aquarium hosts Friday Night Jazz the second Friday of every month, which offers live Jazz music, a cash bar, and appetizers…..almost forgot to mention the great view of the Fish and sea…

  • 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…