I like new years because a new year is just that— a new year— a brand new beginning and I’d rather look ahead than behind.
There is a lot of fantastic music happening on New Year’s Eve including some “reunion concerts” with The Turncoats and Necessities who play the Slice and the Owl Acoustic Lounge respectively.
There are a lot of excellent gigs happening New Year’s Eve.
If you like alt country and roots music, then the Necessities are back together to play the Masquerade party at the Owl Acoustic Lounge.
The Necessities, featuring Steve Foord, Devin Gergel, Thomas Woodman, Dustin Gergel and Felipe Rodriguez released their debut CD “Forbidden Fruit” a few years back.
Along the same lines, The Turncoats, featuring Andrew Scott, Arlen Wutch and the crack rhythm section of bassist Paul Holden and Kyle Harmon played their first gig in a long time, Nov. 17 at the Slice with the Motorleague and Lustre Creame, but have their own gig, Dec. 31 at the Slice. They blend rock and roll, jazz and country music into a sound that is uniquely their own.
The show will begin at 9 p.m. Tickets are $15.
If you want to rock there are a couple of other options.
Lethbridge 90s style rock band Double Jack play Bo Diddly’s. VIP tickets including prime rib dinner, choice seating and champagne cost $25, while general admission tickets cost $20 including a perogie appetizer and champagne.
Calgary rock band 2 Cubic Feet play a free New Year’s Eve party at Scores South. Also in the rock vein, Soup of Flies play Casino Lethbridge.
Calgary party band The Groove Demons will be playing Top 40 rock and country at Pop’s Pup. Tickets cost $25.
For something more upscale, the Herb Hicks Quartet play the Mocha Cabana New Year’s Eve.
There is also the big annual New Year’s Eve party at the Coast Hotel with LA Chefs, and performers Cal Toth and the Chevelles. Tickets cost $75 at the door, $65 in advance.
Lethbridge blues band the Janni Lee Band are also playing the Trianon Wine Bar. Tickets are $55 for that show. If you just want to dance, Djs will be spinning tunes at Front Row Pub, Essies and Pulse.
There are a couple excellent shows in the days leading up to New Year’s Eve.
Gordon Leigh brings his unique take on jazz to the Mix Lounge in Ric’s Grill. Dec. 28. Also in the jazz vein, the Herb Hicks Jazz quartet plays the Mocha Cabana Dec. 27 and Dec. 28 in addition to New Year’s Eve. and if you like to rock the country, Diezel rocks the Casino again on the weekend as well. For something a little more low key, Matt Robinson, who spneds most of the year on the road with Leeroy Stagger, plays a solo show at the Owl Acoustic Lounge.