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.

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Jason Isbell & The 400 Unit Live in Edmonton March 2nd 2023

When this show was first announced I was very excited about seeing Jason Isbell in concert again, that was until I saw the price of tickets. A whopping 150 dollars a ticket, a bit expensive in my opinion, but being a big Isbell fan, I sucked it up and bought tickets for my buddy Buzzard and I. This would be my fourth time seeing Jason Isbell & the 400 Unit in concert. Every other time I had seen him in concert was in a festival setting, so this was going to be nice to see him headline this show at the Jubilee Auditorium playing to his audience. This was also my first show of 2023, three months into the new year and I was finally getting out to a show. Jason and his band opened the show with the song 24 Frames which was a great way to start the show. The band was in great form with Jason sounding great on vocals. Most of the songs played in his almost two hour set were mostly from his last four albums, with one new song called "Death Wish" from his forth coming album Weathervanes, which at the time had not been yet released. Other songs played that I recall were "Dreamsicle", "Hope The High Road", "Alabama Pines" among many others, and even a couple cover songs too. One of them being a Drivin' N' Cryin' song "Honeysuckle Blue" a song and band I am a big fan of. I didn't realize that Sadler Vaden the guitar player in the 400 Unit once played in Drivin' N' Cryin'. So that was cool to see him sing that song with Isbell. The last song of the set was the Fleetwood Mac song "Oh Well". A great show by Jason Isbell & The 400 Unit.

Opening the show was Ottawa native Kathleen Edwards. This would be my fourth time seeing her perform live. Kathleen just recently came out of hiatus after being away from the music scene for five years. It was good to see and hear her back on stage playing live again. Joining her on stage with her band was ex-husband Blue Rodeo member Colin Cripps on guitar. Kathleen's seven song set was strong as were her vocals and band. I really enjoyed her set. All and all a great double bill. Good times!!! Kathleen Edwards.

Interstellar Rodeo: Day Three July 24th 2016

Day three of Interstellar saw Janis and I get a little later start as I was still recovering from the previous night. So we missed the first band of the day Adia Victoria, I heard she put on a great show.

Noon Gates open
1:00 pm Adia Victoria
2:15 pm Reuben and the Dark
3:30 pm Kathleen Edwards
4:35 pm Donovan Woods
5:15 pm Jose Gonzalez
6:20 pm Henry Wagons
7:00 pm Margo Price
8:05 pm Joe Nolan
8:45 pm Sam Roberts Band

We got there about half way through Calgary band Reuben and the Dark's set. The band is led by singer songwriter Reuben Bullock, they play an indie style of folk music. I had never seen them before but was surprised by their set, they were quite good. Lead singer Reuben seemed like an intense guy. Overall a good set.

Reuben and the Dark.

Next up was Kathleen Edwards a singer-songwriter out of Ottawa, a lady that doesn't do a whole lot of live shows these days, so this was going to be a treat. This was my third time seeing her play live so I had a pretty good idea what I was in for, and as per usual she put on a great show. She had Luke Doucet from Whitehorse join her for a few songs, you could tell from the banter between them that they are close friends and enjoyed performing together. A great set.

Kathleen Edwards.

Missed Donovan Woods set as out having a bite to eat but made it back to the stage for José González a folk classical guitar player from Sweden which really surprise me with a name like González, anyways his set was alright. The man can play a wicked guitar all finger picking style, but after about a half hour I started to get bored, very flamenco kind of playing. People were digging it, but me after a bit not so much.

José González.

After José and before Margo was a short set by Henry Wagons. Henry Wagons is a singer/songwriter from Australia who has played the Interstellar fest three times now. The two previous times were with his band the Wagons, so this show was with his solo band. I only saw a little bit of his set as I wanted to have a smoke and get a few beers before the next act. Henry always seems to go over very well at this festival hence him playing it as many times as he has. His music is outlaw country stuff with a mix of humour.

Henry Wagons.

Next up was Nashville based singer-songwriter Margo Price who released her debut album "Midwest Farmer's Daughter" in March on Jack White's label Third Man Records. When the line up for this years festival was released Margo Price was one of the highlights for me. I had read about her and then saw her perform on Saturday Night Live and really liked what I heard. I bought her album when it came out and think it is a great old school sounding country music along the lines of Dolly Parton, Loretta Lynn and Emmylou Harris.

I made sure to up front for Margo's set as did many others she had the front of the stage packed. Margo's hour long performance was awesome playing pretty much all the songs from her debut album. She sounded and looked good, her back up band was damn good too. If you like old school honky-tonk outlaw country you will love Margo, her songs are very personal, songs such as "Hands Of Time" which is a song about her life thus far, "Since You Put Me Down" a drinking song "How The Mighty Have Fallen" about an ex-lover, the kind of songs you would expect from a country artist but they are done so well. I just love her voice and attitude. A great show by Margo Price and I see big things coming for her in the future in the music business. This show was her very first Canadian date she had done.

Margo Price.

After her set she also signed some autographs at the merchandise tent, so I got the chance to meet her, which meant I had to buy another copy of her album so that I could get it signed. She took the time to talk to all those in line and take pictures. She is a very cool down to earth lady. I was already a fan of her, even more so now.

Me and Margo.

Next up was another Six Shooter Records artist local musician Joe Nolan. Joe's set was a short set before the headliner of the night. This was my second time seeing him in concert. His raw roots sounds and his song writing is exciting, he sings with passion and has an edge to him. An artist that should make a break through in the near future.

Joe Nolan.

The last act of the weekend were Montreal rockers the Sam Roberts Band. This was my third time seeing them live, the last time being nine years ago. I forgot how damn good this band is live. They sounded great and played a lot of material from their 2003 albums "We Were Born In A Flame" my favorite of there's. Songs such as "Where Have All The Good People Gone?", "Brother Down", "Don't Walk Away Eileen" and "Hard Road". A great way to close out this years edition of Interstellar Rodeo. Good times!!!

Sam Roberts Band.

A big shout out goes to Shauna de Cartier the founder behind record label Six Shooter Records and Interstellar Rodeo. I bought tickets to this years festival before I knew a single artist that was going to be on the bill. When the line-up was finally announced I was a bit disappointed at first thinking it was a weak line-up. Well, I was totally wrong, sure there were bands I had never heard before but that is what makes this festival fun is being introduced to new bands, and this year was no different. I walked away from this years festival a fan of a few new and old artists. Now that I have been to this five years in a row, I'm not going to question the line-up again. I still think 2014 was the best line-up. This years festival definitely had a more country tinge to it, but I still had a great time. This festival is so laid back with a great relaxed vibe, it's relaxed, not over crowded, great music, great venue and awesome volunteers and staff. Keep up the great work everyone, can't wait for next years edition of Interstellar Rodeo, I'll be there.

Favorite performances of this years Interstellar would be Fantastic Negrito my favorite overall, also enjoyed Margo Price very much, Marty Stuart was a pleasant surprise, as was Lord Huron, Kathleen Edwards was great, Sam Outlaw was another surprise and Sam Roberts Band was also really good. Another fun three days of music.

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