As a U of L student, I’m allowed to attend Freshfest ’19, though I’m usually there anyway to cover it for the paper. It is only open to students and guests of students.
The Freshfest Jamboree outside the Student’s Union building, Sept. 6 is pretty rap and hip hop heavy this year. But it is such a popular event that the cheap tickets even sold out before they even announced the lineup. I already feel out of touch, not recognizing most of the line-up.
Rapper Classified is the headliner. I’ve seen him perform a couple of times. He puts on an excellent show.
I’ve never heard of Grandson. Grandson aka Jordan Edward Benjamin’s website, not to mention several of the headliners’s websiters are less than useless as they don’t even have bios. Wikipedia says he was born in New Jersey and moved to Toronto. He won a SOCAN prize for his song Blood/Water in 2019.
He comes here after an extensive American tour and are playing the Gateway in Calgary the night before Lethbridge.
Also on the bill are New York rapper Bryce Vine, Halifax singer songwriter Ria Mae, 604 Records songwriter Ralph, Chedda Cheese and talented local rapper Trey Mark, local folk singers Max Hopkins and Bailey Kate and Ollie X.
The Jamboree is 4:30 -11 p.m., Sept. 6. Tickets range from $30-$45. The event is only open to students or guests of students.
Speaking of blasts from my past, back in the day, most students used to call the Duke of Ellington Pub on Columbia Blvd. their second home.
Over the years it changed to Pop’s Pub. But they are reopening as the Duke this week with a big parking lot party, Sept. 7 with local band 21st Avenue. Also on Sept. 7, the Geomatic Attic starts their new season with Texas/ Nashville songwriter Hayes Carll. Unfortunately that show is sold out.
But there is more happening.
If you are new to town and are looking for live music and comedy, there are lots of options.
If you want to laugh, Good Times features an amateur comedy open mic every Thursday night as well. Good Times features live touring comedians every Saturday night for shows at 7 p.m. and 9:30 p.m.
Mojos Pub on University Drive features local country/rock band the Plaid Ramblers, Sept. 6 at 8 p.m to celebrate their second anniversary. There is no cover for the show.
For live original music, The Slice and Owl Acoustic Lounge are your best bets as they have something happening most days of the week.
Saskatoon bluesman B.C Read plays the Slice, Wednesday, Sept. 4 at 9 p.m. The Slice features Steve Hillis’s tribute to Garth Brooks on Sept. 6.
The Slice goes rock on Sept 7 with Calgary garage rock duo Scratch Buffalo and local psychedelic rock band the Decadent Phase. There is a $10 cover for that show.
The Owl Acoustic Lounge features Kootenays Folk duo The Doggone Brothers, Sept. 6. They are a side project of the Good Ol’ Goats Clayton parsons and Michelle Hepher of Red Girl and As the Crow Flies.
The Owl goes experimental with Guelph , Ontario Psyche rock, post metal grunge band WHOOP- Szo who span a variety of genres. They play the Owl Acoustic Lounge, Sept. 7. Admission is by donation to these shows as it usually is. Though they have ticketed events every now and then.
Casino Lethbridge also features live music, though they mostly feature Top 40 and classic rock and country bands. This week, country band Driven perform Friday and Saturday at 8 p.m. There is no cover for Casino Lethbridge shows.
Lethbridge College has a Welcome Back bash at the Cave, Thursday, Sept. 5. However their big opening soiree Couleefest is coming up quick. Leeroy Stagger headlines Couleefest at 6 p.m., Sept. 14.
