Arctic Monkeys, Smith Westerns Rock The Burt

Sheffield England indie-rock foursome Arctic Monkeys make their heralded debut in Peg City (I think) on October 1st at the Burton Cumming Theatre, and indie darlings Smith Westerns open. Pre-sale is already underway via Arctic Monkeys official site if, you know, you're a member of their fan club.

I'm hearing public sales commence on Friday.

Read more...

Pains of Being Pure at Heart @ The Albert; Arctic Monkeys @ Burt Rumours Bandying About

Photo Credit: Pavla Kopecna

As per Exclaim, NY indie-pop exports The Pains of Being Pure at Heart (above) will be dropping by the Albert on September 28th w/ Big Troubles.

Speaking of the Albert, 2011 Polaris long listers PS I Love You rock the joint on September 24th.

Matthew Good returns to town for a show at the Burt on November 7th.

Yukon Blonde are at the West End Cultural Centre on October 2nd.

And finally, the rumour mill is a’churnin’ that Arctic Monkeys will play Winnipeg for the first time (I think) on October 1st with the show going down at the Burt. Let’s hope for corroboration very soon.

Read more...

Islendingadagurinn (aka The Icelandic Festival of Manitoba)

Royal Canoe appear at the Icelandic Festival on Saturday, July 30th

The music lineup for the122nd annual Islendingadagurinn in Gimli was recently revealed on the festival's new site and blog.

As in years previous, there's a full slate of intriguing independent acts worth checking out (for free!), with notable highlights including the still-kickin' and incomparable Nathan, 2011 WCMA nominees (and past winners) The Liptonians, and live act extraordinaires Royal Canoe.

One last thing to note: unlike years previous, the majority of the lineup features bands residing within New Iceland provincial borders (Saskatoon-based singer-songwriter Zachary Lucky being the exception). The likely reason is that Manitoba music runs strong and is intent on world conquest. Just like the Vikings.

But without horned helmets.

Friday July 29th
The Nobel Thiefs
Goldenboy
Attica Riots

Saturday July 30th
Childrens Entertainment - Alphabet Soup
Royal Canoe
The Liptonians
Yoyote
This Hisses

Sunday July 31st
Zachary Lucky
Ingrid Gatin
Romi Mayes
Andrew Neville and The Poor Choices
Nathan

Read more...

In Giveaways...Enter To Win A Pair Of Tickets To Library Voices @ The WECC

Courtesy of our ol' pals at the West End Cultural Centre, I've got a pair of tickets to giveaway for chief Regina indie-music exports Library Voices' show at the WECC on July 14th.

If you're interested in checking out the ebullient septet, fire me off an email (on the right hand side) by Thursday, July 7th @ noon CST with the subject line "Library Voices Ticket Giveaway" and your name in the email's body. Winning name will be drawn randomly sometime that afternoon and contacted shortly thereafter. As always, one entry per person please!

Read more...

In Winnipeg Music News....Greg MacPherson Weekend @ The WECC

Lots of exciting news to report from the Greg MacPherson camp these days.

The resident singer-songwriter recently founded his own label (with Cam Loeppky) called Disintegration Records; will be dropping a new recording, Disintegration Blues, sometime in late August; and has booked a pair of shows at the West End Cultural Center on September 9th (Loud) and 10th (Quiet).

Ticket packages are being offered for the event. The "Two-Show Option" includes admission to both shows for $33.50 (inc. fees) while the unquestionably unique "Two-Show + Contest" package includes a ticket to both concerts, a copy of the new record, an autographed screen printer poster, and, most intriguingly, entry into a contest that sees Greg MacPherson flex his culinary skills and cook brunch for one lucky winner. The latter option runs for $54.50 (inc. fees).

Read more...

In Winnipeg Music News...Ra Ra Riot and Imaginary Cities @ The Pyramid; and more!

Ra Ra Riot by Doron Gild

Another contender for best double-bill of the fall concert season has emerged: Syracuse-based indie-rockers Ra Ra Riot and Winnipeg darlings Imaginary Cities play the Pyramid Cabaret on October 1st. According to the Pyramid’s site, you can grab tix for $15 through ticketworkshop.com; however, they’re not for sale just yet.

Fact: you can grab ducats for Japandroids (Sept 27, Albert) and Handsome Furs (July 15, WECC) on the same site as well.

Couple of aging-but-still-virile acts are coming to town:

• The Moody Blues will be at the Pantages Theatre on September 30th.

• Jeff Beck plays the Pantages on October 22nd.

• Lyle Lovett performs at the Burton Cumming Theatre on August 9th.

And finally, local songstress / recent 11 Qs participant Jenny Berkel has a new video for “Stop and Go.” Check it out below.

Read more...

In Winnipeg Music News...Besnard Lakes/Malajube @ The WECC Is A Go

Malajube Photo: Joseph Yarmush

It's now official: Montreal-rooted acts Malajube and the Besnard Lakes are combining artistic forces for a must-see tour that sees both indie bands pop by the West End Cultural Centre on September 30th. Tickets are available today at the WECC, Ticketmaster, and Music Trader and will run ya $18 in advance or $22 at the door.

Read more...