I’m running out of descriptive adjectives for how great Lethbridge’s music scene is. As per usual there is a mind boggling array of live acts coming to Lethbridge this week, from big name rap stars to Juno nominees and any combination of them all, internationally know world artists, a lot of local musicians, plus a lot more.
Actor and renown rapper Ice Cube, who is generally credited with starting gangsta rap, comes to Bully’s, April 16. The show includes special guests: WC of Westside Connection, Ice Cube’s son Doughboy, Struck and Deezuz. Doors open at 9 p.m. Admission is $45 in advance or $60 VIP tickets which included no line, a pass to the VIP Lounge with a private bar and a VIP laminate. Canadian rapper Classified performs April 15 at the Stone with Kidz In The Hall and The Scalebreakers (Subway and Guy Woods).
On the local front, the Canadian Country Music Week finals at Boss Hogs is worth checking out, April 14 with eight local performers competing for one Lethbridge slot at the Canadian Country Music Weekend, Aug. 12-13 in Fort Macleod. Performers include The Smokin’ Pistols, Jessica Halvorsen, Breanne Urban & Southern Flyer, Charles Shade, Alyssa McQuaid, Karen Romanchuk and Shalisa Leisch.
Scores South rocks the school year to a close with this year’s band wars winners blues rockers Smokestack Jacks and hip hoppers Penny Fortune, April 15.
Leigh Doerksen is also releasing his CD ‘Being Mysterious’ at the Owl, April 16 and Dave McCann and the Firehearts have a gig at the Tongue n Groove, April 16 as well.
If you like Celtic music, Cudos is bringing in George Ireland and the Boxcar Scocial on Friday, April 15.
Thursday, April 7, was a little crazy with the first installment of Average Joes “Open For The Bands Contest”— Nazareth edition.
As expected, a good portion of rock bands came out to compete, and best yet most of them were playing originals.
Some of the highlights included bluesman Curt Young, who, along with his drummer, played three uptempo original blues rockers beginning with a sweet one called ‘Don’t Text Me Baby,’ and couple others featuring a backup vocalist/ First Nations flute player who was drowned out by the other two. The flute was a great, unique touch though.
Modern rock trio Vercitile were also on the bill with a slice of Alice In Chains/ Sabbathy detuned rock music.
A new pop/ punk band called Bradford Whites took a long time to set up, but had a solid first gig at the competition which featured three upbeat originals.
Chief Mountain also returned for a short but very sweet set of psychedelic garage rock.
Gravity Crash was back as well with another solid set of dark, detuned yet uptempo rock who were the band I voted for this time round. Open For the Bands continues this Thursday, at Average Joes. The winners advance to a playoff in June to compete for a prize package including an opening slot on show with Nazareth on July 21.
While Juno nominated singer/ songwriter Royal Woods’ April 14 show At the Geomatic Attic is sold out, tickets for the next show at the Geomattic Attic with renown world musician Alpha Diallo are going slow.
Alpha Ya Ya Diallo and his band were a hit of the South Country Fair Last year and promise another fun and energetic show. The Attic is offering a special deal for members. Buy two tickets to Alpha Ya Ya Diallo and get one free ticket to either the upcoming J.T. Nero show on May 1 or Gurf Morlix on June 8.
Tonight, STD or Steve, Taylor and Daryll host the open mic at the Slice’s Tuesday open mic and Devin Gergel hosts an open mic at Cudos. Double Jack hosts the open mic at Bo Diddly’s as well.
