Not often a band of Elliott Brood's stature (i.e. not *huge*, as evidenced by playing Times Change(d)) play Toronto and Winnipeg on back-to-back nights. I guess they flew, as opposed to what I'd imagine them doing -- riding the bus.
Triniman, they opened for Wilco on their Canada Day show a couple of years ago.
I'm listening to their new album "Mountain Meadows" right now--also fantastic. For those of you that haven't heard of them, they call the music they play "Death Country." If that appeals to you, you must hear this album.
I am hoping to catch Elliott Brood at Sled Island this year. The festival has a great lineup this year.
EDIT: Just noticed that they a playing in the venue in the Calgary Downtown Legion #1 of all places. Perhaps some of the old vets will check them out too.
Does anyone know if the 2nd Elton show sold out yet? I managed to get tickets....I wasn't planning on going but my best friend is a huge fan and she really wanted me to go. My Mom was a huge Elton John fan so I am going in memory of her.....:-)
Well, if I said there were still seats avail and you checked back a few minutes later, they might be sold out.
I did notice lots of seats available, but I would caution sitting behind the stage. Mind you, the stage might be set up to give a great view but I really don't know.
One bit of advice, if you don't find the seats you like the first time, keep on trying. Better seats turn up as people release them hoping to get even better ones. That was the case around 10 am, though.
I found that as well....at first all I could get was level 300...I kept trying and did get level 200. I've never sat in anything but level 100 so I'm not sure how the seats will be. I was surprised there was no internet presale.
For Van Morrison, I sat in the 200 level because my buddies didn't want to spend the extra $20 or so to sit in the 100 section. Turns out our seats were just as good.
Brood were great last night, and it was said that they'd be coming back to town in September.
Sled Island looks like a great lineup, but as a "festival" model it - and things like the new Pemberton event - is a far cry form the Folk Festivals you find across Canada. The daytime stages, where lots of different bands get together and play, is for me what makes it a festival. And it's not all beards and banjos - I've seen some fantastic stuff at Folk festivals...lots of good things here at Winnipeg as well as at others. I've seen Elvis Costello, Jimmy Cliff, Kris Kristofferson, Alejandro Escovedo, Oliver Mtukudzi, Graham Parker, David Byrne, and so on and so on and so on...
Still, I'd love to see Okkervil River again, and I've never seen Jonathan Richman.
Sled Island is only in its second year. It will take a while. However to have a couple dozen bands playing on the mainstages and 100+ other bands and performers playing in 20 small venues within the downtown core I think its pretty impressive.
It is certainly a pretty substantial cultural event here that came almost completely out of nowhere. It is also a completely different music scene that it is catering too.
The Calgary Folk Fest is happening later in July (also in downtown Calgary) and has another 60+ artists performing.
<blockquote><cite>Posted By: Vote_for_Pedro</cite>Still, I'd love to see Okkervil River again, and I've never seen Jonathan Richman.</blockquote><p>
My one experience seeing Jonathan Richman (at the WECC in 1993 or 1994) was a great show. It was just him and his guitar, and after he ran through his set he took requests from the audience.<p>
<blockquote><cite>Posted By: Sputnik</cite>It is certainly a pretty substantial cultural event here that came almost completely out of nowhere. It is also a completely different music scene that it is catering too.</blockquote><p>
Looking at the lineup, I wouldn't say it's a completely different scene. As Pedro said, the Winnipeg Folk Fest is really diverse and there are a number of bands at Sled Island who could fit in just fine at Birds Hill Park. It's a nice lineup though and I hope they do well. Be nice to see some of those bands heading east after they're done. :)<p>
<blockquote>The Calgary Folk Fest</a>is happening later in July (also in downtown Calgary) and has another 60+ artists performing.</blockquote><p>
My memory of Calgary's Folk Fest was that it was nice, but nowhere on the scale of Edmonton or Winnipeg. But this year's event looks good, especially with Spearhead, Andrew Bird, Calexico and Great Lake Swimmers.
Has anyone ever successfully petitioned to have a band included in the Folk Fest? I'd love to see Th' Legendary Shack Shakers brought back here for the fest, but I don't know how they feel about big outdoor venues like that.