Upcoming Sonic Shows // Incl. Matt Mays & July Talk, Big Wreck, Bahamas, Hedley & More….

While 2017 still has a couple of months left to go, Sonic Concerts has started to look ahead to 2018 and here are some of the shows they are bringing to town in the first half of 2018.

PRESENTS
MATT MAYS AND JULY TALK
IN FREDERICTON AND HALIFAX, JAN. 19 – 20
TICKETS GO ON SALE THIS FRIDAY AT 10 A.M.

(Halifax, NS) – JUNO Award-winning Canadian rock bands Matt Mays and July Talk are teaming up this winter for shows at the Currie Center in Fredericton on Friday, Jan. 19 and the Scotiabank Centre Concert Bowl in Halifax on Saturday, Jan. 20. Special guest for both shows is Toronto’s The Beaches. Tickets go on sale this Friday, Nov. 3 at 10 a.m.

Fredericton tickets are $51 in advance and $56 day of show (including tax and service fee) and will be available at the Aitken University Centre box office, by phone at (506) 453-5054 and online at sonicconcerts.com. Additional fees may apply. This is an all ages / licensed event. Doors open at 7 p.m.

Halifax tickets are $37.50 – $57.50 (including tax and service fee) and will be available at the Ticket Atlantic box office, all participating Atlantic Superstores, by phone at (902) 451-1221 (1-877-451-1221) and online at sonicconcerts.com. Additional fees may apply. Doors open at 7 p.m.

Matt Mays released his sixth studio album, Once Upon a Hell of a Time, on Oct. 20. Five years and a handful of locales in the making; starting with the LA studio once owned by Elliott Smith and with sessions at The Farm Studios in Vancouver, The Sonic Temple in Halifax, The Boiler Room in New York and Breakglass Studios in Montreal, the bulk of the album was recorded with co-producer Loel Campbell (Wintersleep) during a two-month period in Montreal during the summer of 2016. Among the albums 13 tracks are “Faint of Heart” and “NYC Girls”. Mays’ last album Coyote (2012) took home the 2014 JUNO Award for Rock Album of the Year.

Watch “Faint of Heart”: https://youtu.be/L7R0EmtnuhQ

Known for their explosive live performances, July Talk return to the east coast after selling out shows throughout Atlantic Canada, including Fredericton and Halifax, earlier this year. The band’s latest album, Touch, includes the gold certified first single “Push + Pull”, which held the number one spot at radio for 12 weeks, “Picturing Love”, “Beck + Call”, and the recently released single, “Lola + Joseph”. Touch is the highly anticipated follow up to the band’s 2012 self-titled debut and took home the 2017 JUNO Award for Alternative Album of the Year.

The Beaches recently released their latest album, Late Show. Filled with killer guitar riffs and poignant lyrics, the album includes the singles “Give It Up” and “Money”. Comprised of sisters Jordan and Kylie Miller (on lead vocals/bass and guitar, respectively), Eliza Enman-McDaniel on drums, and Leandra Earl on keys and guitar, the band has a natural kismet that shines through on each of their tracks and in their live performance. The band has performed at major festivals, including Osheaga and Wayhome, opened for Eagles of Death Metal and are currently on tour supporting Death From Above.

Watch “Money”: http://bit.ly/2iJAXnT


IN ASSOCIATION W/ THE TD HALIFAX JAZZ FESTIVAL
PRESENT:   
EMILIE-CLAIRE BARLOW LIVE IN HALIFAX, DEC. 2
ON SALE NOW

(Halifax, NS) – JUNO Award winning, Canadian jazz singer, Emilie-Claire Barlow, brings her upcoming release, Lumières d’hiver (available Nov. 3)to Halifax this fall for a performance at St. Matthew’s United Church on Saturday, Dec. 2 at 8 p.m. Tickets are on sale now.

Lumières d’hiver, Barlow’s second seasonal recording, follows up the acclaimed Winter Wonderland (2006) album and highlights her evolution as an arranger and now, songwriter.

The album features original takes on an eclectic mix of Christmas and wintry tunes. Classics, including “I’ll Be Home for Christmas” and “Noël Blanc,” as well as, Quebec favourites, “As-Tu Vu le Père Noël” and “Marie Noël.” Also included are surprises such as a French version of the Wilson Sisters pop tune “Hey Santa” and Tricot Machine’s “Combien de Noel.”

An engaging performer and imaginative arranger, Barlow and her incredible band bring fresh interpretations of your holiday favourites and classics from her popular repertoire – The Beat Goes On, Clear Day, Seule ce Soir and Winter Wonderland.

Tickets are $37.99 in advance and $42.99 day of show (including tax and service fee) and will be available at the etixnow kiosks in the Halifax Forum (2901 Windsor St) and Music Nova Scotia (2169 Gottingen St) and online at sonicconcerts.com. Additional fees may apply. Doors open at 7 p.m.


PRESENTS
BIG WRECK’S IN LOVING MEMORY OF… 20TH ANNIVERSARY TOUR IN MONCTON, FREDERICTON & HALIFAX, JAN. 22 – 25
TICKETS GO ON SALE FRIDAY, NOV. 10 AT 10 A.M.
New single “Digging In” available Nov. 3

(Halifax, NS) – Today, multi-platinum selling Canadian rockers Big Wreck announced they are hitting the road to celebrate the 20th Anniversary of their debut album In Loving Memory Of  (True North Records). Maritime dates include:

Jan. 22     Moncton       Tide & Boar Ballroom
Jan. 23     Fredericton  Boyce Farmer’s Market
Jan. 25     Halifax            Marquee Ballroom

In Loving Memory Of garnered the band’s first three Top 10 singles, “The Oaf,” “That Song,” and “Blown Wide Open” and earned a double platinum certification. Also announced, Friday, Nov. 3, will see the release of the band’s third single “Digging In” from their successful fifth studio album Grace Street (ole label group / Anthem Entertainment Group).

“It was obviously an important album for us because it was our first, and really put us on the map” says frontman Ian Thornley. “I think the record stands up today as well as it did then. The songs still resonate with us as much as the more recent albums. It will be fun to play a lot of these older songs that we wouldn’t get a chance to play in another setting, and a great opportunity for fans to hear them live. Can’t believe it’s been twenty years!”

In honour of the 20th Anniversary celebrations a limited number of VIP ticket packages will be available beginning Friday, Nov. 3.  The package includes access to a private “Soundcheck Experience” performance by Big Wreck, premium ticket, exclusive merchandise including a signed limited edition vinyl pressing of In Loving Memory Of, Big Wreck branded guitar picks housed in a commemorative tin, as well as a VIP laminate and lanyard. VIP ticket packages can be purchased here.

Formed in the early 90s all five original members met while attending the prestigious Berklee College of Music in Boston. After the release of their sophomore record The Pleasure and the Greed, they disbanded shortly after. In 2012, Big Wreck reunited after a decade long hiatus with the release of Albatross, which debuted at #5 on the Top 200 SoundScan chart in Canada (their highest debut to date) and hit #25 on the US Billboard Heatseekers chart.

The title-track from Albatross earned Big Wreck the title as the first Canadian band to hit #1 on the Canadian Rock Radio chart in over a year, a position they went on to maintain for six weeks. Albatross received a 2013 JUNO Award nomination for Rock Album of the Year and earned the band another three Top 10 Canadian Rock Radio singles. Their 2014 follow-up Ghosts debuted at #5 on the Canadian Albums Chart and #4 on the US Billboard Heatseekers chart. Ghosts would be the band’s second JUNO nominated album for Rock Album of the Year in 2015. In 2016, Big Wreck‘s first single “One Good Piece of Me” off their 5th studio album, Grace Street (ole label group / Anthem Entertainment Group) was the #1 added single for Rock Radio and Top Downloaded song the week of November 11, 2016.

Moncton tickets are $38 in advance and $43 day of show (including tax and service fee) and will be available exclusively online at sonicconcerts.com.

Fredericton tickets are $37.99 in advance and $42.99 day of show (including tax and service fee) and will be available at the etixnow kiosks in Gray Stone Brewing & Grimross Brewing and online at sonicconcerts.com.

Halifax tickets are $39.99 in advance and $44.99 day of show (including tax and service fee) and will be available at the etixnow kiosks in the Halifax Forum (2901 Windsor St) and Music Nova Scotia (2169 Gottingen St) and online at sonicconcerts.com.

Additional fees may apply. These shows are restricted to ages 19+ with valid ID. Doors open at 8 p.m.


PRESENTS
BAHAMAS LIVE AT THE REBECCA COHN IN HALIFAX, JAN. 12
TICKETS GO ON SALE FRIDAY, NOV. 3 AT 12 P.M.
New album, Earthtones, available Jan. 19

(Halifax, NS) – To share the release of his fourth full-length album, EarthtonesBahamas, aka Toronto’s Afie Jurvanen announced tour dates, including Friday, Jan. 12 at the Rebecca Cohn Auditorium in Halifax at 8 p.m. Tickets are available starting Friday, Nov. 3 at 12 p.m.

Tickets are $41.50 in advance and $46.50 day of show (including tax and CIF) and will be available at the Dalhousie Arts Centre box office, by phone at (902) 494-3820 and online at sonicconcerts.com. Additional fees may apply. Doors open at 7:30 p.m.

Listen to a new song, from Earthtones, called “No Wrong” here.

 In a message, Bahamas wrote:

“I wasn’t feeling too inspired in 2016. I’d been in a seemingly unbroken cycle of recording and touring for six years. I know, you’re saying to yourself “that’s so cliché, all musicians complain about being tired…” But wait, there’s more! Not knowing exactly what type of album to make, I was feeling pretty low. But at that very moment, my long-time manager and confidante Robbie Lackritz called and said “dude, you should make an album with D’angelo’s rhythm section.” And just like that, the juices were flowing and the songs started coming.

I wrote songs about having success, having kids, and having depression. I wrote songs about going on tour, going back in time and going in circles. I wrote songs about my otherworldly wife, my jerk dad and my garbage relationship with my brother. Crazy right?!

In Sept of 2016 I flew to Los Angeles and spent three days in the studio with the bass boss Pino Palladino and the titan of time keeping, Mr. James Gadson. No rehearsals, no charts, no rules. We worked fast and came away with 10 songs that sounded fresh and strange and warm and free of any genre. The results were so inspiring to me that I quickly pulled my road band (Felicity Williams, Christine Bougie, Darcy Yates, Jason Tait, Don Kerr) into a Prague studio to record a few more songs. And here’s the best part…the whole thing is produced by my long-time producer and confidante Robbie Lackritz, so you know the sound is correct, totally modern and completely familiar at the same time.

Whoa! I know! You’re saying to yourself “wait what? The same Robbie from earlier??”

Yes! It’s a story about friendship come full circle, and how great it is to have someone in your life that can lift you up when you’re feeling down. It’s a very positive album about having a joie de vivre for the joys of life.

Okay, full disclosure…there’s a few slow jams too…

Hope you enjoy the music as much as I enjoyed making it.”

– Afie


WITH LIVE NATION AND EVENKO PRESENT:
HEDLEY’S CAGELESS TOUR
IN HALIFAX AND SUMMERSIDE, FEB. 23-24
with very special guests Shawn Hook and Neon Dreams
TICKETS ON SALE NOW

(Halifax, NS) – Canada’s favourite high-energy, platinum-selling chart toppers are back! Today, Hedley announce their highly anticipated 2018 arena tour in support of their seventh studio album, Cageless. Joining Hedley on the 32 city Canadian tour will be very special guests Shawn Hook and Neon Dreams. Maritime dates include Scotiabank Centre in Halifax on Friday, Feb. 23 and Credit Union Place in Summerside on Saturday, Feb. 24. Tickets will go on sale on Friday, Sept. 29, with VIP packages on sale on Thursday. Sept. 21.

“Performing live is truly what Hedley are all about,” comments frontman Jacob Hoggard on the upcoming tour.  “Touring from coast to coast and being able to bring the music directly to our incredible fans is like a constant thirst for us. We are hitting more markets than ever before, the production is bigger and better, and as always, we have lots of tricks up our sleeves… We can’t wait to share this show with the world.”

VIP packages are available Thursday, Sept. 21 at 10am local, at hedleyvip.com. The packages include exclusive merchandise, a meet and greet with the band and an intimate acoustic performance at the meet and greet. VIP package holders will also be entered to win one of ten mysterious and very exclusive “Golden Tickets”. Check the band’s website for details.

In addition to being one of Canada’s most successful touring acts having sold more than 120,000 tickets on their 2016 tour, Hedley has accumulated over 1 million album sales, 4 million singles sales, has 18 #1 videos on Much Music,  and has been honoured with 11 MMVAs, 4 SOCAN and 2 JUNO awards. The band has amassed over 86 million Vevo views, 68 million streams on Spotify, and 17 Top 10 radio singles. The acclaimed Vancouver based four-piece includes Jacob Hoggard (lead vocals, acoustic guitar, piano, and keyboards), Dave Rosin (guitar), Tommy Mac (bass), and Jay Benison (Drums).

Back with their seventh full-length album and first since 2015’s Platinum selling, #1 charting album, Hello, the band is scheduled to release Cageless on September 29 via Universal Music Canada. Written and produced by Jacob Hoggard with longstanding Hedley collaborators Brian Howes and Jason “JVP” Van Poederooyen at the Warehouse Studio in BC, the new album features the hit single “Love Again”, which was the most added first single in the history of the band and quickly rose to top 10 at three formats.

Supporting Hedley on the upcoming tour is 2016 JUNO Fan Choice Award nominee, Shawn Hook and Halifax-trio, Neon Dreams. Hook’s 2015 hit single “Sound of Your Heart” reached Top 20 in America and made it to #1 on Billboard Dance Club chart. With recent performances on Jimmy Kimmel, The Today Show and Kelly and Michael, his latest Certified Platinum single “Reminding Me” featuring Vanessa Hudgens peaked at #3 on Hot AC in Canada and Hook will perform it on the “So You Think You Can Dance” finale.

Neon Dreams have rapidly emerged as one of the brightest new stars on the Canadian music horizon, first making an impact on radio in 2016 with their breakout single “Marching Bands,” featuring Kardinal Offishall. Their signature high-energy and dynamic live show makes them the perfect addition to the Cageless Tour.

Halifax tickets range from $44.50 – $84.50 (including tax and service fee) and will be available at the Ticket Atlantic box office, participating Atlantic Superstores, by phone at (902) 451-1221 and online at ticketatlantic.com. Additional fees may apply. 

Summerside tickets range from $45.70 – $86.90 (including tax and service fee) and will be available at the Credit Union Place box office, by phone at (902) 432-1234 and online at cupevents.ca. Additional fees may apply.

Doors open at 6 p.m.



AND RUBIN FOGEL PRODUCTIONS PRESENT
NANA MOUSKOURI’S FOREVER YOUNG
TOUR IN HALIFAX, MAY 22
TICKETS ON SALE NOW

(Halifax, NS) – Internationally-acclaimed Greek singer, Nana Mouskouri, brings her Forever Young Tour to Halifax for a special performance at the Rebecca Cohn Auditorium on Tuesday, May 22 at 8 p.m.

She has cut her hair a little, but still wears those famous glasses that make her recognizable the world over. In Athens, Tokyo, Paris, Beijing, Rome, New York and elsewhere, Nana Mouskouri, the Greek legend, attracts legions of admirers wherever she performs. With an estimated four hundred million copies sold, Nana Mouskouri is one among the top twenty-five recording artists of all time.

Nana has been touring successfully since the 60s. Forever Young, a tour that has earned its title, brings us many of her most beautiful songs… Song for Liberty, The White Rose of Athens, Soleil Soleil, etc., etc. The woman who once said that music was her first love, has no intention to end her career.

The Forever Young Tour is a new journey, going back to the beginnings through the waters of youth. Dreams do not wither — neither do songs. They are bubbles of eternity embracing our memories, the soundtrack of our lives.

Nana Mouskouri devotes her inspiration to the artists she’s met along the road, people from countless countries, who taught her to love words and notes. Just like Dorothy who, in The Wizard of Oz, the movie from Nana’s childhood, shares so many destinies, adventures and talents along the Yellow Brick Road. 60 years of music and fantastic friendships: Michel Legrand, Quincy Jones, Bob Dylan, Leonard Cohen, Joni Mitchell, Bobby Scott, Simon & Garfunkel, Serge Gainsbourg, Pierre Delanoë, Claude Lemesle, Mark Knopfler, Tony Visconti, Manos Hadjdakis, Nikos Gatsos, Serge Lama, Francis Cabrel… and so many others from here and there, from yesterday and today. “No matter what you want to achieve, all that counts is the way to get there. Why, how and with whom you travel!” she claims. A progress in love and music, a way to learn and understand, a course to be served and honoured…

P1 tickets are $101 in advance and $106 day of show and P2 tickets are $86 in advance and $91 day of show (including tax and CIF) and will be available at the Dalhousie Arts Centre box office, by phone at (902) 494-3820 and online at www.sonicconcerts.com. Additional fees may apply. Doors open at 7:30 p.m.

Nana Mouskouri’s interests span a broad spectrum, including her involvement in UNICEF and becoming a UNICEF Goodwill Ambassador, becoming Member of European Parliament, and a special interest in the French language. Nana has left a significant footprint on the French-Canadian culture because of her attachment to the language.

In 1993, Nana Mouskouri was named UNICEF “International Goodwill Ambassador”. One of Ms. Mouskouri’s missions was to bring attention to, and protect, children affected by war and violence around the world. At her concerts and media interviews, she often urges the public to support UNICEF. Elected to the Greek New Democracy party, she sat in the European Parliament from 1994 to 1999, accepting the position as a true honour. A philanthropist and a patron, in 1994 she created the foundation “Focus on Hope”, through which she has truly shown her generosity.

 

About the author

Trev

A proud and over-caffeinated husband, father, runner and writer. I've written for the local weekly The Coast for over a decade and have since taken to creating and writing for HAFILAX for even longer. I hope you enjoy the musings of a guy who has loved music for the better part of 4 decades, and has an album of concert tickets to show for it.

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