Kathleen Edwards & Altameda Live in Edmonton April 2nd 2026

  My buddy Buzzard and I attended the Kathleen Edwards and Altameda show at the Winspear Centre last week. The main reason we went to this show was because of Altameda, a band we have both seen many times, but will always support as they are an awesome band and great guys as well.

 We got to the venue early as we didn't want to miss Altameda and we wanted to get a few beers and sometimes the line ups for drinks at this venue is a nightmare. But because we were their fairly early there was no line ups for drinks and as we entered, the staff asked us where our seats were. We had tickets in the upper deck of the venue. They offered us upgraded seats on the floor, and hard copy tickets at that, which is rare these days, so of course we accepted. So obviously the show was far from sold out. We grabbed a couple of beers and went to our new seats. They were good seats but we were in the middle of the aisle and as per usual the guy in front of me had a big head blocking my view. Thanks for the upgraded seats but we decided to go to our original seats. By the time the show started I would say the venue was half full, so about 900 people would be my guess.

 Altameda hit the stage precisely at 8pm. This would be my 16th time seeing them in concert and my third time seeing them perform as a duo. That being lead singer-songwriter and guitarist Troy Snaterse and Erik Grice on vocals and guitar as well. When they play as a full band, Erik is on drums and vocals. Originally from Edmonton Troy and Erik are now based in Toronto, so they perform as dup quite often out east. To see these two perform as a duo in a venue like the Winspear Centre was a treat with the awesome acoustics in the venue. Both are vert talented on guitar and their harmonies are so damn good. 

 The duo opened their 40 minute set with a brand new song that had just been released that day, a song called "Tracing" which was a song recorded during their Crazy Blue album recording. Troy and Erik's set on this night consisted of songs only from their last two albums 2025's Crazy Blue and 2022's Born Losers. Which was fine by me as I love both albums. Some of the songs played were, the title song "Crazy Blue", "Stuck In Your Ways", "Faint Of Heart" and "Sweet Laredo" all from said album. One surprise was they didn't play "Body Spray" from that album. And from Born Losers they played "Neon (And That's Why)", "Everybody's Gotta Bleed", "Dead Man's Suit" and there were others but I can't exactly recall all that was played. Their set was awesome, I just wish they had played longer. Hopefully one day they will headline the Winspear Centre.

Altameda.

 Headlining the evening was Canadian artist Kathleen Edwards. This would be my 5th time seeing her in concert. I've never been a huge fan, but have to say every time I see her perform I enjoy her music that much more. She's got a great voice and is also a great songwriter. Her latest release Billionaire was actually produced by Jason Isbell. She has made some inroads across the border with her Americana sound. 

 Some of the songs I recognized in her hour and half long set were "Little Red Ranger", "Say Goodbye, Tell No One" and "When The Truth Comes Out" from her Billionaire album. I've listened to that album a few times before the show. It's quite good. A couple other titles I knew were "Six O'clock News" and "Hockey Skates" from her Voyageur album. I found Kathleen to be very engaging with her audience, telling some great stories. Her band is kick ass too!

 To close out the night, for her encore, she brought out Troy and Erik of Altameda to do an awesome version of Neil Young's "Powderfinger", that was super cool. A great night of music. Good times!!!

Kathleen Edwards.

T-shirt.

Yukon Blonde & Altameda Live in Edmonton October 10th 2025

  A few weeks ago my buddies A-Bomb, Buzzard and I went to see the Yukon Blonde and Altameda show at the Double Dragon here in Edmonton. Our main reason for going was to see Altameda again, Yukon Blonde was an added bonus. With both bands having just released new albums in the previous few weeks, we were going to hear some of their new music live for the first time. And with the show being at the Double Dragon a new live music venue that I hadn't been to yet, I was interested in seeing the set up. Having said that, the Double Dragon is actually the same venue that was previously the Needle Vinyl Tavern and the Station On Jasper. The set up from them previous venues really hasn't changed a whole lot other than you enter the venue from the back alley.

 The first band of the evening was the local band Sam The Living (Dylan Greenhough). Their music was a mix of 70's rock and folk. I had never heard them before but thought they were alright. Playing a 45 minute set, started strong but after about a half hour found myself getting bored, overall though not too bad.

Sam The Living.

 Next up was Altameda who are on the road in support of their fourth album and latest release Crazy Blue. Their new album which came out just weeks before their show here. An album I was really looking forward to hearing, and was not disappointed. Like their 2022 album Born Losers, it is an album that grows on you with every listen, I absolutely love it! What I do find very odd about the last two albums is that nowhere on the album does it mention the band members names or who wrote the songs, makes no sense to me. Anyways, a little about the show.

 This would be my 15th time seeing Altameda live. What was different about this show was that they performed as a duo, just lead singer/guitarist Troy Snaterse and Erik Grice who is usually on drums both playing acoustic guitars for this show. When Troy and Erik moved to Toronto in 2020 the rest of the band stayed in Edmonton. So quite often they only perform as a duo, but every show in Edmonton is always full band. The bass player had broke his foot prior to the Edmonton show so they only performed as a duo, which was cool to see. I had seen the as a duo once before back in 2019 when they did a free in-store performance at Blackbyrd Myoozik.

 Their set on this night was about an hour long with all the songs performed on this evening being from their last two albums only. Which was cool by me as I love both albums. They played a half dozen songs from Crazy Blue including the album title song as well as "Body Spray", "Alexander", "Life Is A Desert" and "Stuck In Your Ways", at least I believe those are the ones they did, I could be wrong, after all the show was a few weeks ago now. There was also songs from Born Losers, again, I believe they played "Neon (And That's Why)", "Everybodys Got To Bleed", "Nightmare Town". They even through in a cover of the Big Star song "Thirteen". I loved the harmonies between Troy and Erik, don't always get that as strong when Erik is on drums and with the full band, but this show it really stood out. Just an awesome set by Altameda. Canada's Simon and Garfunkel. 

Altameda.

 Headlining the evening was Vancouver's Yukon Blonde who are on the road touring for their latest release Friendship & Rock 'N' Roll which came out in late September, not only are the promoting the new album but also celebrating their 20th anniversary as a band. This would be my second time seeing Yukon Blonde live, the last time being in December 2012 when they played a free in-store show at Permanent Records here in Edmonton.

 While I don't know their tunes all that well, the band played a solid show with the crowd dancing and singing along. I did listen to their latest release prior to the show and think it is a damn good record. I'll be honest and admit I did spend a good portion of their set at the back of the venue chatting it up with Troy and Erik of Altameda.

 What I did see and hear of Yukon Blonde's set it was rocking with the band looking to have a lot of fun up on stage. The band took turns sharing lead vocals on some songs, all were strong on vocals and their instruments. I wish I could tell you more of what songs they played and such, but I can't. For the encore Troy and Erik of Altameda joined Yukon Blonde for a great version of the T Rex song "Get It On (Bang A Gong)" a great ending to a very fun night. Good times!!!

Yukon Blonde.

January 31st

  On this day January 31st, 2019 I saw The Trews with opening act Altameda play the Starlite Room in Edmonton. I have no ticket stub for this show as I got guest list for the show. No poster either. Anyone have a poster for this show they might want to part with? I did buy a t-shirt at the show though.

January 19th

  On January 19th, 2019 I saw Erik Grice and Troy Snaterse of Altameda play an acoustic in store show at Blackbyrd Myoozik in Edmonton. The free show was an album release show for their album Time Hasn't Changed You.

January 18th

  On January 18th, 2019 I saw the Joey Landreth Trio with opening act Altameda play the Arden Theatre in St. Albert. Always a treat seeing Altameda in concert.

Altameda Live in Edmonton October 8th 2023

 

 Another chance to see Altameda in concert, count me in, love this band. This would be my 15th time seeing the band in concert. This show was at The Temple/Starlite Room. I went to this show with Buzzard, A-Bomb, Cuz and Nazz.

 Opening the show was Evan James Redsky who also plays bass in Altameda. Evan is based in Toronto. Hailing from the First Nations Reserve of Mississaughi First nation. Evan's opening set  was just himself on guitar playing a roots folk style of music about his indigenous upbringing. He only played about 20-30 minutes playing songs from his latest release Oblivion. His set was alright.

Evan Redsky.

 Next up was a band out of Seattle called Small Paul, a four piece band that play indie Americana style rock n' roll. I thought they were a pretty damn good band. I liked how the drummer and lead singer switched between instruments. They played about a 40 minute set consisting of songs from their debut album Come Alive & Live Again. A great set and a band to watch for.

Small Paul.

 Headlining the evening was Toronto band formerly from Edmonton Altameda. Always a treat to see this band and as always they put on a great show. It was nice to hear some new songs with the band opening the set with a new song called  "Wild One" and two other new songs "Stuck In Your Ways" and "Leave Your Light On" spread out through the set. I'm looking forward to a new album hopefully in 2024. Altameda closed their set with the Bob Dylan song "The Man In Me" which saw openers Small Paul join Altameda for the final song of the night. Even if buddy from Small Paul couldn't play the harmonica  worth a damn in that song. But it sure looked like everyone on stage was having a blast. Good times!!!

Altameda.