Top Five "Must-Attend" Shows This February

Skip dinner-and-movie: take your valentine to see Lindi Ortega (above) at the Park Theatre on February 14th. 

Welcome to a new regular feature on Painting over Silence that previews the month ahead on the Winnipeg concert front: each month we'll be spotlighting five local shows deemed as "must-attend." This month's "must-attenders" were selected by contributor Stefani-Raine Allan, and, without further adieu, here are the five she selected, in chronological order:

New Music Festival: Pop Nuit presents Royal Canoe 

Pantages Playhouse 

Saturday, February 2nd

11 p.m.

Royal Canoe takes the stage for the NMF wrap-up party at the Pantages Playhouse, performing music from Beck’s Song Reader. Song Reader is the iconic artist’s latest work, available only as sheet music, that allows musicians to put their own spin on the album without offering any preconceived ideas about how it should sound. Add in Montreal video artist Tasman Richardson, who took part in WNDX last September, and it’s an evening of unique artistry not to be missed. Get a glimpse of Tasman’s work at www.tasmanrichardson.com - or for those of you who are more ambitious, Song Reader music can be found at songreader.net.

Tickets are $16.50. Available at Music Trader / Into The Music / WSO Box Office / Ticketmaster              

Manitoba Music Showcase 

Feat. Flying Fox and The Hunter Gathers, Salinas, french press, and Mise En Scene

Windsor Hotel

Saturday, February 2nd

9 p.m.

If Beck doesn’t wet your proverbial whistle, quadruple your fun at the Windsor instead! As part of their Hook, Line, and Singer: Song Listening Session held earlier in the day (Manitoba Music Resource Centre, 1 p.m.), Manitoba Music presents an evening of four local acts: Flying Fox and the Hunter Gatherers, Salinas, french press, and Mise En Scene. The bands will be performing for a panel of esteemed professionals to gain feedback on their production and songwriting;they’ll round out the day with a performance at one of Winnipeg’s well-loved venues, the Windsor Hotel. If you’re able to attend both events, the behind the scenes peek into the workings of the music industry is sure to add a measure of depth to the sounds you already know and love. Not too shabby for 7 bucks, eh?

Register for Hook, Line, and Singer at www.manitobamusic.com/workshops. $40
Showcase tickets $7, door.

Whitehorse
w/ Del Barber

Burton Cummings Theatre

Friday, February 8

8 p.m.

With Valentine’s Day only a week later, this show might be the perfect catalyst to your romantic celebrations, since these Canadian folk darlings are a match made in heaven - on and off the stage, really. Tying the knot back in 2006, singers-songwriters Luke Doucet and Melissa McClelland both enjoyed successful solo careers before teaming up in 2011 to make music under the moniker Whitehorse. The group has been generating buzz and garnering accolades ever since and are in town to promote their sophomore album, The Fate of the World Depends on This Kiss.

Tickets are $27.50 (plus fees). Available at Ticketmaster, WECC, Winnipeg Folk Festival Music Store

Lindi Ortega
w/ Dustin Bentall & The Smokes

Park Theatre

Thursday, February 14

8 p.m

If romance ain't yer thing, ditch the patented Valentine’s Day dinner-and-a-movie and check out this genre-bending musician instead. Armed with her guitar and signature red boots, Lindi Ortega draws upon her love of old-time country music in her melodies while her all-powerful voice is reminiscent of country-folk luminaries Dolly Parton and Nancy Sinatra. Alt-country has been an up and coming for years and if you’re not firmly on the bandwagon yet, the Juno-nominated Ortega might be the artist to get your on board.

Tickets $17 (plus fees). Available at the Winnipeg Folk Festival Music Store and Ticketmaster

Festival du Voyageur

Multiple Venues

Friday, February 15 - Sunday, February 24

Festival du Voyageur has been kicking winter’s derrière in Winnipeg since 1969, and this year will be no different. Stand in awe at the snow sculptures. Try your hand foot at snowshoeing. Take a sleigh ride. Be amazed and simultaneously repulsed at the beard-growing contest. And when the sun finally goes down, take refuge in a tent, shed your winter gear and get ready to dance the night away to some of our fair city’s hottest acts: Imaginary Cities, The Noble Thiefs, Red Moon Road, The F-Holes, The Lytics, Trio Bembe, JD Edwards, Enjoy Your Pumas, Flying Fox, The Crooked Brothers, and as always, The Dust Rhinos. You should probably go buy a ticket now. CARIBOU!

Day Pass $15
10 Day Pass $25
Visit www.heho.ca for a complete music schedule.

Now it's your turn, Dear Readers: What Winnipeg shows in February are getting *you* out of the house? 

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Morning Headline: Chantal Kreviazuk to play the WECC

Winnipeg's Chantal Kreviazuk comes home for an inimitate gig at the WECC on Friday, April 12th. Tickets are $60. Yes, you read that price correctly.

From the presser, the $60 ticket goes toward a good cause:

"Two-time Juno Award winner Chantal Kreviazuk is returning to her hometown for this special performance to celebrate the 25th Anniversaries of the West End Cultural Centre and Manitoba Film & Music. All proceeds from the event will be directed to the West End Cultural Centre’s charitable programming and the Unison Benevolent Fund."

Oh, and JP Hoe opens.

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Morning Headline: Portage and Main to play the WECC

Vancouver's Portage and Main will play the West End Cultural Centre on Friday, March 15th. The Wilderness of Manitoba open. White Ash Falls and From Giants open.

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Noon Headlines: Martha Wainwright, Skydiggers, Father John Misty

First off, Martha Wainwright comes to town on Saturday, March 2nd for a show at the WECC. Advance tickets will run your around $25. Add a fin more for door tickets.

Canadian rock vets The Skydiggers has cobbled together a national tour in celebration of its quarter-century anniversary. Check them out at the WECC on Saturday, May 11th.

Add The Elwins to the Born Ruffians bill at the Park Theatre on Wednesday, March 27th.

And Madison Violet to the Ron Sexsmith Burton Cummings Theatre show on Saturday, March 23rd.

Father John Misty (formerly of Fleet Foxes) is slated to be at the Pyramid on Friday, May 31st. I predict this will sell out. (Thanks to those who emailed about this show.)

For a good time, try Red Moon Road's show at the WECC on Thursday, March 28th.

And The Arrogant Worms on Saturday, March 9th.

Electric Six is at the Pyramid on Tuesday, March 19th w/  The Matinee.

Finally, some good fun: Via Buzzfeed, a surprisingly tough quiz: "Indie Rock Frontman or Random Guy In Brooklyn?" I scored 9 out of 14.

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Afternoon Headlines: The Men to play the WECC; Two Hours Traffic @ The Park Theatre

Oooo. This should be a raucous party. As per Pitchfork today, Brooklyn-based indie-rockers The Men has booked an extensive world tour that includes a stop at the West End Cultural Centre on Sunday, April 14th. Ticket info TBA.

Hmmm. Couldn't sworn I listed this one, but I don't see it on the right: Justin Rutledge will be at the Park Theatre on Wednesday, February 20th.

Speaking of the Park...Charlottetown's own Two Hours Traffic pop by on Tuesday, April 2nd. Rah Rah kick off the evening.

And finally, Snowblink is there on Saturday, May 25th.

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Contest: Enter to win tickets to This Hisses' album release party @ The WECC

Compliments of our good pals and interminable supporters over at the West End Cultural Centre, I've got a pair of tickets to giveaway for This Hisses' album release for their new record, Anhedonia, going down at the joint on Saturday, February 9th. Pop Crimes and Slow Dancers round out the bill.

If you're interested in checking out this buzzed-about local post-punk act, fire me off an email (on the right hand side, below the concert listings) by Monday, February 4th @ noon with the subject line "This Hisses Ticket Giveaway" and your name in the email's body. Winning name will be drawn randomly sometime that afternoon and contacted shortly thereafter, with the first name and last initial published on my Twitter account.

As always, one entry per person please!

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Afternoon Headlines: Born Ruffians @ The Park Theatre; Ivan & Alyosha as well

Photo by Vanessa Heins

Quirk-pop purveyors Born Ruffians is gearing up for the release of its third record, Birthmarks, scheduled to hit the streets on April 16th. And, natch, a new LP is best paired with a trek across Canada, a 14-date jaunt that brings the foursome to the Park Theatre on Wednesday, March 27th. Ticket info TBA.

Meanwhile...folk-pop twosome Ivan & Alyosha will make the trip to Winnipeg for a date at the Pyramid on Tuesday, April 30th.

And finally, add Said The Whale to the Stars' gig going down at the Garrick on March 27th.

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Afternoon Headlines: Yukon Blonde/Zeus double bill

Photo by Vanessa Heins

Should be a rockin' good time at the Pyramid on Wednesday, April 3rd: Yukon Blonde and Zeus will be there. 

Toronto's New Country Rehab drops by Times Change(d) on Thursday, March 7th.

Clutch is at the Garrick on Tuesday, April 9th alongside Orange Goblin, Lionize, and Kyng.

And finally, roots-country artist Sarah Cripps is at the Folk Exchange on Thursday, February 7th.

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Noon Hour Headlines: Contributors Wanted!; Ron Sexsmith @ The Burt

Afternoon, Folks. I've got some new show announcements to send your way, so let's dive right on in...

The incomparable Ron Sexsmith returns to Peg City for a gig at the Burt on Saturday, March 23rd. Madison Violet get the party started.

Billy Bragg will materialize at the Garrick on Wednesday, April 10th.

Speaking of the Garrick. why not check out Classified there on Wednesday, April 3rd?

Bob Seger & The Silver Bullet Band will be at the MTS Centre on Wednesday, March 13th.

And finally, if anyone out there is interested in contributing to Painting over Silence, please send me an email: mykaelsopher at gmail dot com. I'm looking to increase content on the site in the form of cd reviews, interviews, concert reviews, concert photos. etc. and if that's something you're interested in, let's talk. I'm open to any pitches.

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Contest: Enter to win tickets to see Hannah Georgas @ The Park Theatre

Courtesy of our friends over at the West End Cultural Centre, I've got a pair of tickets to giveaway for the Hannah Georgas show going down at the Park Theatre on Saturday, January 26th! The Belle Game kicks off the evening.

Note: the WECC is presenting the show, but it takes place at the Park.

If you're interested in checking out the  show, fire me off an email (on the right hand side, below the concert listings) by Monday, January 21st @ noon with the subject line "Hannah Georgas Ticket Giveaway" and your name in the email's body. Winning name will be drawn randomly sometime that afternoon and contacted shortly thereafter, with the first name and last initial published on my Twitter account.

As always, one entry per person please!

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Late Morning Headlines: Hayden @ The WECC; Hannah Georgas @ The Park

First up, the mighty fine songstress Hannah Georgas is at the Park Theatre (but presented by the West End) on Saturday, January 26th. I'm there. As long as the Jets don't play that night.

Second, veteran Canadian musician Hayden returns to town for a date at the WECC on Saturday, March 30th. I'm there. As long as the Jets don't play that night. Yes, I'm brimming with excitement. Lou Canon opens.

The irrepressible and inimitable Leonard Cohen returns to the MTS Centre for a performance on Monday, March 11th.

Veteran Welsh troubadour Martyn Joseph is at the WECC on Tuesday, February 19th.

And finally hometown heroes Boats! is releasing its next record, A Fairway Full of Miners, at the WECC on Saturday, February 2nd.

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Year-End Lisztomania!

Showing up late to the year-end list-making party, but, better late than never I suppose!

Here goes...

Top Ten Records

1. Japandroids - Celebration Rock
2. Divine Fits - A Thing Called Divine Fits
3. Melody's Echo Chamber - Melody's Echo Chamber
4. Here We Go Magic - A Different Ship
5. Passion Pit - Gossamer
6. Beach House - Bloom
7. Tame Impala - Lonerism
8. Kendrick Lamar - good kid, m.A.A.d city
9. Mise En Scene - Desire's Despair
10. Hannah Georgas - Hannah Georgas

Top Five Shows

1. Gillian Welch @ The Garrick
2. M83 @ Sound Academy
3. Japandroids @ The Pyramid
4. The Smashing Pumpkins @ The MTS Centre
5. AC Newman @ The WECC


Favourite Songs (In playlist order)

1. Tame Impala – Be Above It
2. Hannah Georgas – Fantasize
3. Divine Fits – What Gets You Alone
4. Cadence Weapon – Conditioning
5. Purity Ring – Fineshrine
6. Passion Pit – Carried Away
7. Here We Go Magic – Hard To Be Alone
8. Melody’s Echo Chamber – Some Time Alone, Alone
9. Andrew Bird – Eyeoneye
10. Beach House – The Hours
11. Bahamas – Caught Me Thinking
12. The xx – Angels
13. Mise En Scene – Endless Summer
14. Japandroids – Adrenaline Nightshift
15. Rococode – Empire

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