Category: Music Reviews

  • TD Jazz Festival 2024 Part 3

    By Wayne Baggs/BKONTHESCENE Final overall take on TD Jazz 2024 – The TD Toronto Jazz Festival of 2024, was a magnificent display of jazz music and culture. With over 500 artists taking the stage, the festival provided an excellent platform for showcasing both local and international talent. The festival atmosphere was vibrant, with music lovers…

  • Son of James Capture The Soulful Sounds of Chinatown on Driving, Rolling, Careening “Come On”

    “Come On” Spotify Website Son of James’ new single “Come On” is oh so careening and funky that you’d have a hard time believing what’s making that gritty, swaggering sound is a delicate Chinese instrument. Especially with bandleader Shon Wong’s whiskey-soaked commands to “Come on!” harkening back to James Brown’s “Get on up!”  But when you listen…

  • TD Toronto Jazz Festival-Part 2-Sun.,June 23rd,2024

    By Wayne Baggs Day 2 – June 23rd – Today was a whirlwind of amazing performances at the TD Toronto Jazz Festival! The Village Stage was bustling with energy and excitement. The atmosphere was electric as people gathered under the summer sky, ready for a day filled with fantastic music. My first music experience of…

  • Symphony in the Gardens: Rock Symphony with Justin Di Donato and Cleopatra Williams @Casa Loma-Monday, June 24th,2024

    We had the pleasure to attend the performance of Justin Di Donato and Cleopatra Williams for an evening of Rock and Roll with the Maestro and the orchestra for that amazing symphony sound belting out the best from Elton John, The Beatles, Lady Gaga, Led Zeppelin and more. Monday evenings in the summer, Casa Loma…

  • Christone “Kingfish” Ingram at The Opera House – Canada Music Week-June 2024

    By Wayne Baggs If the blues had a heartbeat in Toronto last night, it was pounding through the walls of The Opera House. Christone “Kingfish” Ingram delivered a masterclass in soul-drenched guitar and raw emotion as part of Canada Music Week 2024. From the moment he stepped on stage, the energy was electric—like the spirit…

  • TD Jazz Festival 2024-Part One-Sat.,June 22nd,2024

    By Wayne Baggs/BKONTHESCENE The first day of The TD Toronto Jazz Festival was absolutely beautiful. The weather was exceptionally lovely. The stages were set up in a way that was perfect for walking and provided ample shade. The Main Stage showcased multiple Local High School Jazz bands, preserving the music’s vitality. Denielle Bassel, Brock Stonefish,…

  • COLIN JAMES ADDS HEAVY HITTERS TO THE LINE-UP ON FORTHCOMING NEW STUDIO ALBUM CHASING THE SUNSET FOR GLOBAL RELEASE AUGUST 23 VIA STONY PLAIN RECORDS

    Listen to First Single, “Devilment,” and Pre-Order Album Here: https://stonyplainrecords.com/colinjames/ To a recording artist, having a bunch of big-name guests on your album can be a double-edged sword: It’ll get you some attention, sure, but there’s always the danger you’ll find yourself pushed out of the limelight—a supporting player in your own production. Fortunately, no one…

  • WORLD ON A STRING: NUEVO FLAMENCO GUITAR STAR JESSE COOK RETURNS TO CANADA IN 2025 WITH 15-DATE ‘IN CONCERT’ TOUR

    Website    Spotify     Apple Music     YouTube     Facebook     Instagram     TikTok Tickets On Sale Now Here Feb. 27 – Empire Theatre, Belleville, ON Feb. 28 – Massey Hall, Toronto, ON March 1 – Centre in the Square, Kitchener, ON March 2 – National Arts Centre, Ottawa, ON April 12 – The Centre in Vancouver for Performing Arts, Vancouver, BC April 13 – Chilliwack Cultural Centre, Chilliwack, BC April 14 – Vernon…

  • TD-Toronto Jazz Festival-Fri.,June 21, -Sun.,June 30, 2024

    Get Your tickets for the amazing live music! Serving the Jazz Community Since 1987 What began in 1987 as an eight day showcase of jazz now attracts in excess of 500,000 loyal patrons annually over 10 days as more than 1,500 musicians entertain all across the city. The Festival has become a destination event, not just…

  • Mariposa 2024 Lineup Announcement: Old Crow Medicine Show, Bahamas, Band of Horses, Noah Cyrus, William Prince, Bruce Cockburn, Amigo The Devil, Donovan Woods, Dwayne Gretzky,Jesse Cook, Joseph, Maestro Fresh Wes,Modern Biology, The Secret Sisters, and More

    Tickets for Mariposa are on sale via the festival website. The Mariposa Folk Festival returns July 5 to 7 to Tudhope Park in Orillia with a lineup that includes Old Crow Medicine Show, Bahamas, Band of Horses, Noah Cyrus, William Prince, Amigo The Devil, Donovan Woods, Dwayne Gretzky, Jesse Cook, Joseph, Maestro Fresh Wes, Modern Biology,…

  • CMW(Canadian Music Week)PART 2

    By Wayne Baggs Anticipation of Christone “Kingfish” Ingram’s performance at The Opera House was high for my friends and me. This was a great start to my week of covering CMW. The four of us, two of whom were fellow photographers and one a longtime concert bud, have attended many shows together. We all agreed…

  • Midge Ure Of Ultravox Fame Adds Toronto &Vancouver Dates To North American Tour

    Midge Ure adds more dates to his late summer North American tour that will kick off at Daryl’s house in Pawling, NY on August 7. The gigs dubbed ‘Band In A Box’ will take Midge across North America and back, wrapping up in Ft. Lauderdale on September 12 including August 16at Toronto’s El Mocambo and August 23 at Vancouver’s Rickshaw Theatre. Midge talks about the tour:…

  • The Sunset Concerts Premieres-Tues.,June 11,2024 @CasaLoma Featuring-Jully Black

    By Wayne Baggs Jully Black’s performance at Casa Loma’s Sunset Concert series was nothing short of spectacular. Starting off this evening featured special performances by alumni of Canada’s Walk of Fame RBC Emerging Musician Program. Tonight it was J3M. Against the stunning backdrop of the historic castle, Black delivered an electrifying show that captivated the…

  • Wang Chung @El Mocombo- Tues.,June 11th,2024

    By Wayne Baggs Wang Chung’s performance at The El Mocambo on June 11th, 2024, was a nostalgic journey infused with vibrant energy and seasoned musicianship. Taking the stage with an infectious enthusiasm, the band transported the audience back to the vibrant era of the ’80s with their iconic hits and contemporary flair. From the moment…

  • Part One-Canadian Music Week Conference-Walk Off the Earth, Dallas Smith, Charlotte Day Wilson, Kingfish Killy &CMW Music Live Music Awards With-Deadmau5-Toronto-June 2024

    By Sally Warburton The 42nd edition of Canadian Music Week took place at the Westin Harbour Castle Hotel conference rooms in Toronto. The 3 day CMW conference took place alongside Radiodays 2024 North America.  Live music has become a major part of the music economy. This year’s 7 day CMW music festival included artists such…

  • Canada’s Walk of Fame @Casa Loma-THE SUNSET CONCERT-Tues.,June 11th,2024

    By Sally Warburton Canada’s Walk of Fame and Casa Loma, in partnership with Seeing Red Media, presented THE SUNSET CONCERTS, on Tuesdays each week this super summer music series featuring 12 nights of amazing performances and special guest appearances. Every Tuesday throughout the season in the beautiful setting of Toronto’s iconic Casa Loma. Starting the…

  • Indie Rockers The Petras Announce New Single ‘Sapphire’ And A Pregnancy

    “Sapphire” Spotify Website The Petras’ “Sapphire,” set the stage for what’s to come from this fresh all-women band out of Kingston, Ontario. “Sapphire” is a rousing indie rock banger that invites listeners to embrace their unique and wonderful selves that invokes the band’s inspirations: The Runaways and The Beaches.  Says The Petras vocalist Brielle LeBlanc, “We…

  • Winners Announced for Canadian Live Music Industry Awards

    Canadian Music Weekand Canadian Live Music Association Announce Winners for the 2024 Live Music Industry AwardsPresented by Showpass, Powered by Aloompa London, Ontario Named Music City of the Year Canadian Music Week (CMW), in partnership with the Canadian Live Music Association (CLMA), are pleased to announce the winners for the Canadian Live Music Industry Awards (CLMI Awards), presented by Showpass and powered by…

  • A Night of Musical Mastery: Paul Langlois, The Sadies, and The Skydiggers @The Concert Hall, May 10th, 2024

    By Wayne Baggs The Concert Hall was ablaze with musical brilliance on the unforgettable evening of May 10th, 2024, as Paul Langlois, The Sadies, and The Skydiggers graced the stage in a mesmerizing display of talent and camaraderie. The atmosphere crackled with anticipation as fans eagerly awaited the sonic journey that awaited them. Kicking off…

  • KANSAS-Another Fork in the Road – 50th Anniversary Tour@Massey Hall-Sat.,May 4th,2024

    By Wayne Baggs &YYZ Photography The concert at Massey Hall was titled-Another Fork In The Road-50th Anniversary Tour. Formed in Topeka, Kansas, United States in 1970. The band is best known for their international hit singles “Carry On Wayward Son” “Point Of No Return” and “Dust in the Wind”, All the hits and plenty more…