Interstellar Rodeo Day Two July 22nd 2017

After a good night of rest and feeling revived it was off to day two of Interstellar. This time Janis and Erin came with me like they have the past four years, always the Saturday show for them.

We got there early as we wanted to see all that we could. The day started with a band from Winnipeg called Begonia, another band I had never heard of before. Begonia is lead by Alexa Dirks on vocals, their music is a mix of synth, gospel and folk. I have to say, I wasn't all that big on it.

Begonia.

Next up was Parker Millsap an artist from Oklahoma. I had heard a few of his songs on CKUA and recently had seen an episode of Austin City Limits that had Parker on it. I was looking forward to his set as I was really starting to dig his music.

Well, I wasn't disappointed at all with his hour long set. His mix of Americana music, rock n' roll with soulful lyrics and singing and watching him and his awesome band look like they were having fun up on stage made it a great performance. What impressed me most was the range in Parker's voice, at times a whisper and then all out rock n' roll. The man can sing, very very impressed. I'll be picking up his music and following this artist. Great stuff.

Parker Millsap.

The next band up was The Suffers out of Houston, Texas. Their music I would describe as a mix of soul, some funk and Cajun. They were entertaining and had the crowd up and dancing along. Lead singer Kam Franklin had an awesome voice and really knew how to work the crowd. I also really enjoyed the guitar playing of Kevin Bernier and hell he had a cool looking green jean jacket too. All and all I thought they were pretty damn good.

The Suffers.

Up next was Canadian folk singer/songwriter Basia Bulat out of Toronto, Ontario. While I have heard some of her music on CKUA I have never really been a fan of her tunes. Now after seeing her perform live, I have a lot more respect for her music. She was definitely better live then on record in my opinion. She has a great voice and band. Again I was impressed with an artist I didn't think I was going to like.

Basia Bulat.

I missed some of the in between acts like Christine Fellows and Ken Stead as guy needs to eat and step out for a smoke once in a while.

The next main stage act was Winnipeg's John K. Samson and the Winter Wheat. John is a former member of hardcore band Propagandhi and indie rockers The Weakerthans. I wish I knew more about both his former bands but I didn't really follow either. Nonetheless, his new band The Winter Wheat were quite good. The crowd was certainly into them. I enjoyed his set but like I say I wish I was more familiar with his music.

John K. Samson and the Winter Wheat.

The next act up was Leeroy Stagger doing an in between act set. Why he wasn't booked for the main stage I don't understand, but at least he got to play Interstellar. I've been a big fan of Leeroy for years now and this would be my thirteenth time seeing him play. Leeroy's half hour set was excellent with a lot of people checking it out and getting a great response from the audience. Really enjoyed his set.

Leeroy Stagger.

The last act of day two was Toronto musician Serena Ryder. Her music is kind of all over the place with roots, country, folk and rock influences. She knows how to command the stage and crowd. She was very entertaining and had the audience in the palm of her hands through out her performance. I'm not the biggest fan of her but do have to say she put on a pretty good show.

Serena Ryder.

All and all it was a great day of music, eats, drinks and hanging with good people. Good times!!!

Interstellar Rodeo Day One July 21st 2017

It's been a week already since the Interstellar Rodeo Fest took over the amphitheatre at Hawrelak Park again here in Edmonton. This is the sixth year of the Six Shooter Records curated music festival has happened, and my sixth year of going. I love this festival even when I have no idea who the majority of the bands or artists are. Nonetheless it's always a good vibe and time. Take your chances, and see some and hear some music you may not be familiar with.

This years festival started with Six Shooter Records artist Whitney Rose out of PEI now based in Texas. Well, I can say she was alright, not really my jam, but she was good at what she did, which to me was some honky tonk country. Nothing especially original.

Whitney Rose.

Next up was Dan Mangan from Vancouver. This was an artist I was very interested in finally seeing. I have a few of his albums but always heard he was amazing live, and he certainly was. Dan had a full band backing him up at this show and what a great band they were. Very impressed, at times they reminded me of Wilco a bit. Highlight of Friday night for me.

Dan Mangan.

In between bands they would have an artist play on one side of the stage while they set up for the next act. This time it was Toronto artist Chloe Doucet who has just signed on with Six Shooter Records. Chloe is the daughter of Melissa McLelland and Luke Doucet of Whitehorse fame. I didn't see a lot of her set as it was time to step out for a smoke.

Chloe Doucet.

Headlining the opening night was Aloe Blacc from California. Aloe's music is a mix of 60's pop and 70's soul music that had the crowd up and dancing. A strong voice with some great lyrics. I didn't stick around for the whole set as I was beat after being up since 4am and working all day, it was time to go home and get some rest as there were still two days of music in front of me. Good times!!!

Aloe Blacc.

Bob Dylan Live in Edmonton July 19th 2017

On Wednesday it was another trip to Rogers Place with Buzzard, Char and Janis this time to catch Bob Dylan in concert. This was my eleventh time seeing him live. A man I will see in concert any chance I get.

This time like the last few times I have seen him, his stage was bare, not much lighting and at his warbly best. IN recent years I am finding Bob isn't so much a folk artist anymore as he is jazz. He never plays a song the same way twice and it really seems his back up band which still includes Charlie Sexton on guitar, just follow Bob's lead. Bob didn't touch the guitar or harmonica during this show. He pretty much stood and played the piano and sang, I did see him crack a smile at one point. I had been watching Bob's setlist leading up to the show, and he hasn't changed it at all on this leg of the tour, so I knew what to expect for song selection, yet it's never boring. Now if you are a fan of Bob and expecting to hear songs the way they sound on record, you would be disappointed I am sure. I myself love the way he messes with his own songs.

The night opened with Bob playing "Things Have Changed" and then into "Don't Think Twice, It's Alright", for some I am sure it took a bit to realize what songs he was playing. His version of "Highway 61 Revisited" again was different but still good. I really enjoyed "Duquesne Whistle" from his last original material album Tempest, I actually enjoyed this version more so then the album version. Bob actually did quite a few songs from the Tempest album. He also did some of his versions of old 50's songs from his Triplicate album that came out earlier this year. Old crooner songs as I like to call them.

Tangled Up In Blue which is one of Bob's most popular songs was again very different but great, as was "Desolation Row". As per usual Bob said absolutely nothing to the audience through out the show, not even introducing his back up band, which is not unusual. To close out the night Dylan did "Blowin' In The Wind" followed up with "Ballad Of A Thin Man" and before you knew it the show was done. I really enjoyed the show once again. I wasn't able to get any pictures at the show as there was a no camera policy and security were super tight about it too. My guess for attendance would be about 7,000, they had the upper bowl curtained off. Good times!!!

Bob Dylan setlist for Edmonton show.

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Bob's dimly lit stage.

Counting Crows Live in Edmonton July 14th 2017

Last Friday night my buddy Buzzard, Chat and Janis and I took advantage of another Ticketmaster Summer Seat Sale and went to Rogers Place for the "A Brief History Of Everything Tour" which was 90's nostalgia tour that included the Counting Crows and Matchbox Twenty. Now I had no interest at all in seeing Matchbox, but have always wanted to see the Counting Crows, you could call that band a guilty pleasure. Have always been a fan and never seen them before, so for 20 dollars I was in. This was a co-headlining tour, so each band took turns headlining. I was really hoping the Counting Crows would be the opener on this night and as luck would have it, I got lucky and they were, so there was no having to sit through a set by Matchbox.

The Counting Crows played a 75 minute set that was a good mix of old stuff and a few newer songs, and a cover of Joni Mitchells' "Big Yellow Taxi" that was featured on the Two Weeks Notice soundtrack. Of course the band wouldn't get away without playing their biggest hit "Mr. Jones" from their 1993 debut album August and Everything After. When they played this song I couldn't help but remember my buddy Geddy (RIP buddy), he used to sing this song with his own words to it, with him being a huge fan of The Flintstones, his version went like this, instead of Mr. Jones and Me, he always sang "Fred Flintstone and Barney", he ruined the song for me, but with how much that song was played back in the day you couldn't help but make fun of it, it sure makes me laugh like hell now. They ended the show with a great version of "Rain King" for the encore.

I've always found lead singer Adam Duritz's voice soulful and unique and one of a kind, and from what I heard, he still packs a punch with his voice. From where we were sitting which was the second last row of Rogers Place all the guys on stage just looked like little dots as there were no screens showing the band. And holy fuck is the upper bowl ever steep, felt like if I fell there was no stopping me until I hit bottom. So it wasn't til I got home and looked at the pictures I took did I notice that Adam Durtiz is one strange looking dude. There seemed to be a lot of empty seats during the Crows set, my guess would be a crowd of about 10,000 people. All and all I thought this was a great performance by the Counting Crows and well worth the 20 dollars. Good times!!!

Setlist.

The Counting Crows at Rogers Place.