For those of you who haven’t heard of her, Adele is an emerging UK soul/pop artist. When I listen to her i hear Jill Scott meets Amy Winehouse (minus the drama), with a bit of earthy warmness ala Corinne Bailey Ray.
She’s taken the UK by storm and is coming to take over the Americas. Given that her show at the Rivoli is already sold out, it appears she’s already got a hold of us.
And who wouldn’t, with such an earthy, soulful pop sound. Songs of heartbreak, unfulfiled relationships and not getting what you want round out a sad but gut-wretchingly honest debut album. You can’t help but get sucked into her world and pay undivided attention.
Check out her website, featuring a widescreen version of her title (and most palatable for mainstream) track, “Chasing Pavements”. Be sure to check out Daydreams and Best of Last, demonstrating her raw, honest, stripped down self.
If you have tickets, congratulations - enjoy her now before she grows to bigger and less intimate venues!
102.1 The Edge presents the return of Edgefest with headlining artists Linkin Park and Stone Temple Pilots
TORONTO (ONTARIO) FEBRUARY 26, 2008 – Edgefest will make it’s triumphant return to Toronto in 2008 – with fifteen acts confirmed to perform at Downsview Park on July 12th. Multi-platinum Grammy-winning act Linkin Park will be headlining along with newly reunited rock legends Stone Temple Pilots.
Rounding out the headlining bill of incredible talent are Sam Roberts Band, The Bravery, Ashes Divide, and Attack in Black. More artists to join in on the festivities will be Arkells, The Coast, Creature, The Flatliners, Hostage Life, Modernboys Moderngirls, The Stereohoax, Sweet Thing, and USS [Ubiquitous Synergy Seeker]. These fifteen artists bring the rock at Downsview Park all day on two stages.
“After two solid years of planning, we’re proud to present a new era for Edgefest—and to have it headlined by Linkin Park, the biggest-selling new rock artist of the 21st century, is amazing,” said Alan Cross, program director of 102.1 the Edge/Toronto. “And to be able to offer the first Canadian show by the reunited Stone Temple Pilots—well, it doesn’t get much better than that. We’re also extremely excited to have The Sam Roberts Band, CASBY winners Attack in Black, and so many other talented artists join us for the day.”
The roots of Edgefest go back to the summer of 1987 to what was supposed to be a one-off show to celebrate the Edge’s 10th birthday. But because the day was such a success, the decision was made to turn it into an annual affair. Over the next twenty years, the event was staged at Molson Park (later Park Place) in Barrie, the old Ontario Place Forum and the Molson Amphitheatre. There was also a period in the late 90’s that Edgefest went on the road, embarking on a summer roadtrip that touched down everywhere from Ottawa to Vancouver. During those two decades, Edgefest featured the biggest names in new rock: Tool, Radiohead, Hole, Nickelback, Green Day, Billy Talent, Blur, Our Lady Peace and hundreds of other major label and indie acts.
However, at the end of the 20th anniversary show in 2006, it was decided that Edgefest needed to take a break for a bit. It needed to be dreamed up all over again. And that’s exactly what’s happened.
Ticket Availability
Tickets for Edgefest are available beginning Saturday March 1st at 2:00 p.m. at all Ticketmaster outlets, ticketmaster.ca, and by calling (416) 870-8000. Ticket information is also available at: www.edge.ca. Tickets are $80.50 + $2.00 facility fee (including all sales taxes). Gates open at 12:00PM.
A limited amount of early bird tickets are available through 102.1 The Edge’s Inside Edge presale beginning Wednesday, February 27th at 10:00 a.m. and ending Friday February 29th at 5:00 p.m. The early bird price features a special discount exclusive to inside Edge members.
Early bird price is $75.50 + $2.00 facility fee (including all sales taxes).
The winter months in cold Canada can be long and arduous, especially in January when we face work and our daunting Christmas credit card bills. This season’s winter has been especially bad in Toronto; we’re having near record snow falls with more on the way.
That’s why I really love WINTERCITY. It’s the city’s way to try and get people out of hibernation. In addition to winterlicious, over the past few weekends at Nathan Phillips Square, bands like Tokyo Police Club and Weakerthans performed.
If the bands can play in the figid termperatures (WSIB violation?), I certainly have no excuse for not making the trek out to see them.
TOKYO POLICE CLUB
01.26.08
Nathan Phillips Square (Wintercity Festival)
Rating: 7.5/10
The boys from Newmarket played a quick 60 min set, which was just about enough time to run through almost all of their original material. It was a slow start, perhaps because they weren’t dressed for the weather. Sorry Dave, I don’t think a hoodie will cover you for the middle of January!
But after a few songs they started to heat up. I was impresssed by their stamina, given the cirrcumstances. The crowd started to get into it after “Cheer it on” and “Be Good”. The energy was decent; but what i was most impressed about was the sound quality. Who would have thought a free show in the city would sound so good? Given we were at a medium-sized outdoor show, the sound was amazingly crystal clear. You could hear every syth keyboard and guitar effect and vocal.
Their song, Your English Is Good (their best, in my opinion) blew me away. The timing of this party song couldn’t have been better, coming after a couple of melodic and reflective songs that subdued the crowd.
It was a good show for an open festival in the city.
CMW is back for another year, taking over clubs and concert halls throughout Toronto. More than 500 Canadian and International bands will be showcased at over 40 venues.
Artists and bands featured at The Festival reign from all corners of the earth, including Australia, Belgium, Canada, Finland, France, Germany, Iceland, Ireland, Japan, Lebanon, Malaysia, Spain, Sweden, Switzerland, United Kingdom and the United States. This year’s band highlights include:
All Festival shows are 19 and over, unless stated all-ages. The schedule will be updated frequently, so check the site often for up-to-the-minute information and announcements.
Festival wristbands are available now for $35 and can be purchased at all Ticketmaster & TicketBreak outlets - www.ticketmaster.ca, www.ticketbreak.com or 416.870.8000, 416.640.0966 to charge by phone. For more information please visit the Rogers MusicStore CANADIAN MUSIC WEEK website at www.cmw.net or call 905.858.4747.
ADELE
TORONTO (ONTARIO) FEBRUARY 26, 2008 – Edgefest will make it’s triumphant return to Toronto in 2008 – with fifteen acts confirmed to perform at Downsview Park on July 12th. Multi-platinum Grammy-winning act Linkin Park will be headlining along with newly reunited rock legends Stone Temple Pilots.
