The Cult, one of the few bands this week not to play JunoFest
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Sunday, April 6 - Sunday, April 6 Friday, April 4 - Friday, April 4
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This weekend, it’ll be impossible to avoid the 2008 Juno Awards and its related festivities. Even just listing all of the bands and venues involved in JunoFest would take up the entirety of this column. Since there’s so much to choose from, though, a few potential highlights are certainly in order.
On Friday night, über-charismatic singer-songwriter Danny Michel will play at Broken City. It’s hard to pin down Michel’s exact appeal, but when he takes to the stage, it’s impossible to take your eyes off of him. Michel will follow Clinton St. John of Calgary’s The Cape May, whose minimal rock and folk-influenced songs have their own inexplicable beauty. The evening will be rounded out by Woodpigeon and the Saint Alvia Cartel — not a bad way to start off the weekend.
If you’re looking for a more rocking showcase, head to the Stetson instead. Saskatchewan’s Ultimate Power Duo are fresh off an attempted visit to South by Southwest. The border guards wouldn’t let them through — they were probably intimidated by the band’s obvious power. Still, Austin’s loss is Calgary’s gain, as the incident will likely add some fury to the band’s pop-culture-laden power pop. Also, for those with a bit of a nostalgic bent, don’t miss The New Odds, the latest incarnation of Canada’s most under-rated rock act. They’ll be playing at the Warehouse.
Saturday’s highlights include the ever-fantastic country songwriter Steve Pineo at Kits on 16th, soulful Calgarian Jay Crocker (along with his backing band, The Electric Apes) at the Shamrock Hotel in Ramsay, and Edmonton’s Whitsundays at the Warehouse. Hip hop and soul fans should swing by the Mile One Urban Tavern, as local R&B singer Lynn Olagundoye and Toronto rapper Shad are both sure to put on killer sets.
Of course, JunoFest isn’t the only thing going on this week. It’d be a shame to miss ’80s rockers The Cult for their two sets this weekend (Friday and Sunday at Flames Central). And Toronto dance-rockers Woodhands deserve all the attention they can get when they hit the Gateway on Wednesday — their hyper-passionate live show was a highlight at this year’s Paper Bag Records showcase at South by Southwest. After all, just because March Music Month is over, doesn’t mean it’s time to cut back on your concert-going.
