REFRAIN MUSIC

Nickelback – 08/27/19 – Avenir Centre – Moncton, NB – Canada

Rolling into the city for their only Maritime date on this tour, one of the most commercially successful bands in Canadian history with more than 50 Million albums sold world wide. Tonight the Avenir Centre plays host to “Nickelback” with their very special guests the Ontario rock duo ” The Standstills“.

The Standstills are a Canadian rock duo from Ontario Canada. Together since 2010 they formed in London Ontario and the band have been described as a meld of musical categorizations from Alternative Rock to Hard Rock. The group comprised of vocalist and guitarist Johnny Fox along with drummer Renee Couture have released three studio albums and a six song EP between 2011-2019, their current 2019 album is called “Badlands”

The Standstills – Avenir Centre – Moncton, NB

The band rocked out the crowd for a well rounded 45 minute set that put in place the tone for the evening…loud & rocking.

Nickelback – Avenir Centre – Moncton, NB

If you haven’t heard of the band Nickelback, well I’m not really sure what rock you’ve been hiding under the last couple of decades. Formed in Hanna, Alberta in 1995 the band has gone on to be one of, as stated above, the most commercially successful Canadian bands of all time. In 2009, they were ranked by Billboard as the most successful rock group of that decade; “How You Remind Me” was listed as the best-selling rock song and the fourth best-selling song of the decade. They were ranked in the top ten of all artists of the decade. There has been some angst directed at the band over the years which I for one never really understood, some said they were ‘formulaic’ in their approach to music, however I would argue look at any band on the charts for 20+ years and see what one doesn’t have some ‘formula for success’ creep in. Nickelback sold millions of records, so guess what there’s lots of fans out there and you know what, good on them, and who hasn’t sung at least a few times “How You Remind Me” in the car at the top of their lungs (I know you have).

Nickelback – Avenir Centre – Moncton, NB

Nickelback hit us tonight with their only Maritime date on the Feed The Machine tour and an hour and a half set of rocking music of about 16 songs including their two song encore. Front man Chad Kroeger was interactive with the crowd all night, saying “you know I am having fun when I talk this much”. He told a young lady in the front that was celebrating her 22nd birthday to “thank your parents for brainwashing you into liking our music”!

The band ran through many of there hits like “This Afternoon”, “Someday”, and “Hero” that the crowd was more than ready to sing along with. He pulled some ladies on stage with him to help the band sing Rockstar along with the crowd. As usual Nickelback put on a strong and entertaining rock show.

Nickelback – Avenir Centre – Moncton, NB

Thanks to The Standstills, Nickelback, the Avenir Centre, and PPRL for another entertaining night in the city, until next time! ~ JL

The first thing I have to say…is go see this show! You have five more opportunities between Saturday and Sunday to see this wonderful acrobatic extravaganza on ice, Cirque Du Soleil’s – Crystal! This was my first Cirque show and aside from seeing the odd video clip on YouTube I didn’t know what to expect. The one time I was in a location that I could have seen a show, the one I wanted to see (Ka – Las Vegas) was on a two week hiatus. I was very excited to take in the first of one of the ‘eight’ shows being presented this week in Moncton at the Avenir Centre.

Earlier in the day I had the amazing opportunity to take a tour backstage with Senior Publicist for the show Janie Mallet, who just happens to be a native Monctonian, and is working on her second Cirque Du Soleil show after touring 27 countries with Toruk – The First Flight. We started in the tunnels below the arena where the show had racks of their special skates and footwear for the show. Janie explained to us how with each show they sometimes have to design special clothing to make a certain thing ‘work’ as part of the show. Not all of the performers have skates but have to be able to ‘grip’ the ice for certain stunts without damaging the ice for the skaters.

Cirque Du Soleil – “Crystal” (Special Gear) – Avenir Centre ~ Moncton, NB – Canada

The wardrobe team was hard at work in the afternoon preparing costumes, touching up wigs, repainting shoes that had been scuffed and marked during the performance. The racks of costumes lined up for repair, cleaning, for the athletes and acrobats involved in the show. You can just imagine the amount of material that goes into costuming a production such as this, keeping it clean and prepped and ready to go. Speaking of keeping it clean, the show travels with six industrial washing machines as part of its gear to keep everything fresh and ready.

Cirque Du Soleil – “Crystal” (Wardrobe) – Avenir Centre ~ Moncton, NB – Canada

The artists take time throughout the day to rehearse parts of the act, especially the more tenuous ones, where the obvious talent and concentration of the performers are of utmost importance. In the shot below you can see this member of the crew balancing on several alternating chairs, on top of a table, on “ice” and then turning the whole thing with his feet (yikes). Many of the performers are not only high caliber athletes but amazing aerialists, contortionists, acrobats, musicians and entertainers. One of the main musicians, who incidentally is from Halifax, I was told plays something like 9 instruments at a highly skilled level, during the show we saw him play around 5 of them, one a clarinet…while skating! One of the ladies in the show I spoke with, was a trapeze artist and had to physically ‘learn how to skate’ in order to join the show…imagine being on skates, on a trapeze!?

Cirque Du Soleil – “Crystal” (Practice) – Avenir Centre ~ Moncton, NB – Canada

Everything in a show this size needs going over from the lighting design (see below) to the ‘ice ramps’, the wiring in some of the costumes and sensors in the skates (it allows the lights to track some of the skaters for some of the effects), microphones on the skates for certain scenes and much more. One highlight of the behind the scenes tour I got to speak to Shawn Sawyer, another native New Brunswicker from Edmunston, who after an accomplished career in the figure skating world became part of a new show called Crystal. Shawn heard about the show through fellow Olympian Kurt Browning and the champion skater, after months of work with acrobatics became part of the 42nd Cirque creation. Shawn now calls himself ‘not just an athlete, but an artist’.

Cirque Du Soleil – “Crystal” (Light Rehearsal) – Avenir Centre ~ Moncton, NB – Canada

Crystal is a story of a young girl who doesn’t feel she fits in her reality, she ventures out on the ice on a frozen pond, which eventually cracks and she falls through into another mirror reality, an upside down world where she sees a reflection of herself. Her reflection is the dark yet seemingly helpful side of herself that helps her focus her strength when she needs it most. In a journey of self discovery she manifests her creativity and is eventually able to finally find her way back to her family in her own reality, but not without having some fantastic adventures below the ice first!

Cirque Du Soleil – “Crystal” ~ Avenir Centre – Moncton, NB – Canada

Aerial feats abound in this show, as with any Cirque show, and they do not disappoint, everything from acrobats flying through the air, skaters twirling and twisting in mesmerizing loops around the ice. At times you almost don’t know where to look there is some much going on.

Cirque Du Soleil – “Crystal” ~ Avenir Centre – Moncton, NB – Canada

Make sure to watch out for The Clown, Crystal’s imaginary friend, as he will have you laughing and clapping the whole way through the show (see above), he was one of my favorite parts, his slapstick was brilliant and genuinely effective. Dancing, juggling, having snowball fights with the crowd, he was fantastic.

Cirque Du Soleil – “Crystal” ~ Avenir Centre – Moncton, NB – Canada

The jugglers were incredible, seriously how do your bounce a rubber ball on ice, while skating, while juggling four other balls and catch the first ball? Acrobats in the ‘Tempest’ combine figure skating, aerial acrobatics and music to energize the first half of the show during Crystal’s journey into herself and under the ice. My favourite scene was an aerial ballroom pas de deux with Crystal and her suitor that literally had me on the edge of my seat, mesmerized. The “pendular poles’ scene had many gasping in fear, and I know my girlfriend had a death-grip on me a time or two during it.

Cirque Du Soleil – “Crystal” ~ Avenir Centre – Moncton, NB – Canada

During the “pond hockey” scene Crystal manifests her old pond playground with an intense, high flying and acrobatic hockey game with flips, twists, and jumps all at full speed…there’s even a break dancing goaltender, it all resembles a real life giant pinball machine. Crystal takes part in the game, but she somehow appears with some ‘local colours’ as part of her costume.

Cirque Du Soleil – “Crystal” ~ Avenir Centre – Moncton, NB – Canada

There is literally too much to talk about when it comes to any Cirque show and this one is no different, from speed and sound, to mystery and whimsy. The awe inspiring acrobats, the dazzling skaters, the comedic romps make for a wonderful show that is amazing to enjoy. You have five more opportunities to see “Crystal” in Moncton on Saturday and Sunday and I highly recommend getting out to enjoy this magical fantasy of ice and whimsy.

Thank you to Cirque Du Soleil, the Avenir Centre, PPRL, all of the performers and Shawn, Janie and the other performers (for talking the time to hang out with us) for a truly amazing show…I’m hooked on Cirque and now want to see even more!

Moncton – Avenir Centre
Wednesday, August 14, Thursday August 15 & Friday, August 16 at 7 :30 pm
Saturday, August 17 at 12:30 pm, 4:00 pm and 7:30 pm
Sunday, August 18 at 1:30 pm and 5:00 pm

Saint John – Harbour Station
Wednesday, August 21, Thursday, August 22 & Friday, August 23 at 7:30 pm
Saturday, August 24 at 4:00 pm and 7:30 pm
Sunday, August 25 at 1:30 pm

Halifax – Scotiabank Centre
Wednesday, August 28, Thursday, August 29 and Friday, August 30 at 7:30 pm
Saturday, August 31 st at 12:30 pm, 4:00 pm and 7:30 pm
Sunday, September 1 st at 1:30 pm and 5:00 pm

“Do you want to get rocked…?” That’s the question of the evening at the Avenir Centre in Moncton tonight as British rock band Def Leppard rolls in for probably the most anticipated show of the year in the city to date. With special guest opening act Tesla, it was bound to be a rocking night of music. There were lines wrapping around the building on this warm summer evening even before the doors opened to let in ticket holders, the crowd was filled with old versions of Def Leppard t-shirts from years gone by in their 40+ years of making music. The last time I saw Def Leppard was just down the highway, outside at Parlee Beach, way back in 1993.

Tesla – Avenir Centre – Moncton, NB – 07/13/19

Tesla, the band formed in 1981 in Sacramento, California, kicked off the night with guitarist and founder Frank Hannon stepping onto stage and launching into a wicked guitar solo. Not to be outdone fellow guitarist Dave Rude joined him and they began riffing together. Tesla was very Tesla-like this night as lead singer Jeff Keith growled and screamed through lots of their best music including “Changes”, along with a song from their new album the Phil Collen (Def Leppard guitarist) produced 2019 album ‘Shock’. There were definite Tesla fans in the crowd as they sang along decked out in their Tesla merchandise. Of course we knew what song was coming when Keith “tucked his hair up under his cap” and the band finished off their hour long set with their famous song “Signs”.

Def Leppard – Avenir Centre – Moncton, NB – 07/13/19

After a 30 minutes break (counted down by a very cool video timer on the stage, wish more bands did this) it was time to flash back to what most of the 8000+ attendees came to see tonight, Def Leppard.

Def Leppard are an English rock band formed in 1977 in Sheffield, England. Since 1992, the band has consisted of Joe Elliott (lead vocals), Rick Savage (bass, backing vocals), Rick Allen (drums, backing vocals), Phil Collen(guitars, backing vocals), and Vivian Campbell (guitars, backing vocals).

In 1981 the album, High n Dry (which I listened to on Vinyl before the show) was produced by well known producer Robert “Mutt” Lange, and the album’s standout track ‘Bringin On The Heartbreak’ became one of the first rock videos played on MTV in 1982. The band’s album, Pyromania, was released in 1983, with ‘Photograph’ and ‘Rock of Ages’ as the big leads. In the U.S., Pyromania was certified diamond (10× platinum), this made Def Leppard among the most popular groups at the time. 

Def Leppard – Avenir Centre – Moncton, NB – 07/13/19

The band started the night with a complete blackout and the video screens (remember the counter) raising from the stage to the ceiling emblazoned with “Moncton” in a Def Leppard styled graphic on them as the band appeared behind them and launched into what would be a fantastic 90 minute set (with encore) of music. The crowd was immediately on their feet (for us short photographers at the sound board that makes things a very difficult challenge) and stayed there for pretty much the entire time the band was on stage.

Joe Elliott (& Rick Allen) – Def Leppard – Avenir Centre – Moncton, NB – 07/13/19

Simply put Def Leppard was on fire last night at the Centre on the second night of their cross Canada tour. They played both to and with the audience, as Joe Elliott encouraged the crowd to sing along to many songs including ‘Two Steps Behind’. Elliott was obviously appreciative of the crowds response, telling them it’s been “far too long since we’ve been here” and that Canada has always been one of their best markets as a band. An obvious fan favorite, after guitar solo’s by Phil Collen and Vivian Campbell, Rick Allen gave a little wink from behind the drums to bassist Rick Savage and launched into his own solo to a roar of the crowd. Allen, loving every second of it ,was grinning from ear to ear.

Phil Collin – Def Leppard – Avenir Centre – Moncton, NB – 07/13/19

The 2019 Rock and Roll Hall of Fame inductee’s definitely showed why for over forty years they have been one of music fans favourite bands. The answer to “do you want to get rocked” was a resounding ‘yes!’ from the crowd and we did in fact do just that. One thing that Joe Elliott said “we can’t wait for next time…and there WILL be a next time!” has me wondering…could there be a new album in the works? Let’s hope so!

Joe Elliott – Def Leppard – Avenir Centre – Moncton, NB – 07/13/19

After their encore they bid a fond farewell to the raucous crowd at the Avenir Centre and fans exited into the warm summer night still singing Rock of Ages.

If you can…don’t miss this tour, you will not be disappointed! Thanks to Tesla, Def Leppard, the Avenir Centre, PPRL for another rocking night of music and the best show of the year so far! Until next time! ~ J

 

Tour Dates  July 12            Scotiabank Centre                  Halifax July 13            Avenir Centre                          Moncton July 15            Centre Vidéotron                     Quebec City July 17            Bell Centre                              Montreal July 19            Canadian Tire Centre             Ottawa July 20            FirstOntario Centre                 Hamilton July 22            Budweiser Gardens                London July 25            Bell MTS Place                       Winnipeg July 27            SaskTel Centre                       Saskatoon July 29            Rogers Place                          Edmonton July 31            Scotiabank Saddledome         Calgary

 

Corey Hart – Never Surrender Tour 2019

Throw that “45” on the record player, put on your best acid wash jean jacket, make sure your friendship bracelets are secure, and slide on the Ray Ban’s…it’s 1985 all over again…or at least it feels like it. Tonight was another night of the teenage me flashing back to spinning 45’s on my record player and singing along, however badly, to some great tunes. This evening at the Avenir Centre in Moncton (30 minutes from that bedroom with the record player and the 45’s) presented by Evenko we got to see not one but two fantastic popular acts from the 80’s in Glass Tiger & Corey Hart.

Glass Tiger – Avenir Centre – 06/05/19

Opening the show was a band that has not disappointed any time I’ve seen them in the last few years (or few decades), Glass Tiger are always good. Here supporting both the Hart tour and their new 6 song record aptly named “33” since it’s been thirty three years since the release of their first album, A Thin Red Line. Even more remarkable was the fact that lead singer, Alan Frew, recently had broken his neck in two places, he told us that when he woke up in the hospital and came out from the anesthesia he said, “I’m not skipping the tour”. Thank you very much Mr. Frew! They played all of the favorites and got the small but mighty crowd to sing along with most of them, like “Thin Red Line”, “Diamond Sun”, and a couple from their new album like “This Is Your Life”. The crowd definitely appreciated Mr. Frew’s tenacity in being out on tour while obviously still recovering and the band reciprocated with a wonderful forty five minute set of music and sing alongs.

Corey Hart – Avenir Centre – 06/05/19

Corey Hart, I’d heard many times always put on a great show, what followed definitely backed that up. Hart, the Montreal native who was very recently inducted into the Canadian Music Hall of Fame, casually strolled on to the stage with a grand smile for the appreciative crowd as the band launched right into the music. He hasn’t toured in 20 years, instead staying home to be a Dad and be there with his kids, he doesn’t look to have missed a beat (no pun intended).

There were a few surprises throughout the show, to learn that he is not only bilingual in English and French, but he’s also fluent in Spanish as a video montage with his son having a father/son moment revealed. There was a secondary stage set up in the floor crowd area that he called his ‘bedroom’, a tribute to his teenage years writing songs and listening to the radio. He received a letter from a young lady who her Mom was a huge fan, and who told Hart her mom would tattoo his signature on her forearm if he signed it for her…and he did, along with “Never Surrender” and he said “Are you sure, you know tattoos kind of hurt right”? There were several surprising and exceptionally done covers as well laced through the set.

Corey Hart – Avenir Centre – 06/05/19

Let us talk about the band for a moment, from a kilt wearing guitar player, red hair waving keys slammer, Mohawk sporting drummer, stupendous saxophone player (absolutely execeptional), to background vocals that were rounded out by none other than his wife, Quebec chanteause Julie Masse, they were outstanding. Corey also did a duet with his wife completely in French and it was greatly appreciated by many in the crowd.

Laced with song of the past and some new ones from his current EP, of course near the end of the night, it came down to ‘that song’ that started it all, and with the first note of “Sunglasses At Night” the crowd’s shades went on and 30 years later I can say I finally heard it live. Hart left the stage humble and appreciative, singing a brief chorus of Never Surrender with the crowd before waving goodbye.

Don’t forget, the tour continues across the country and if you get the chance to check it out I definitely recommend it, it’s a great night of music!

Corey Hart – Avenir Centre – 06/05/19

Thank you to Corey Hart, Glass Tiger (especially Alan Frew…super trooper!), Evenko, PPR, and the Avenir Centre for yet another wonderful night of music in the city…until next time! ~ J

For a kid that his teenage years were the 1980’s and the influences of bands like Poison, Whitesnake, Journey and more were paramount, no better musical was there to come to town. Tonight’s show at the Avenir Centre in Moncton would be exciting even if it didn’t have a great story line (which it does), even just to hear the ‘mixed tape’ of big hair 80’s tunes would be fantastic!

Reading about the show prior to going to tonight’s performance just built up the anticipation of a great night of entertainment and music, it was going to be like a major flashback ride to big hair, loud guitars and power ballads.

Drew (Anthony Nuccio), Lonny (John-Michael Breen), and Dennis (Ryan M. Hunt) owner of the Bourbon Room learn about the planned demolition of the club.

“ROCK OF AGES” opened April 7, 2009 on Broadway earning five Tony Award nominations including Best Musical. The show also enjoyed successful national and international tours and, in 2012, was turned into a major motion picture. The show closed on Broadway in 2015 after over 2,300 regular performances, which put Rock of Ages in a tie as Broadway’s 29th-longest running show of all-time. It has toured and had performance runs in major cities all over the world.

Lonny, the narrator, brings us through the story of the Bourbon Room and it’s staff and patrons.

The “narrator” Lonny (played by John-Michael Breen, seen above) who often broke the fourth wall and talked to the crowd was hilarious and often reminded me of Neil Patrick Harris in his presence and mannerisms.

We can’t not talk about the music, after all, this is what started this story. It was like an 80’s-gasm of great tunes that literally had the crowd singing along to the likes of Poison, Night Ranger, Whitesnake, Foreigner, Jefferson Starship, Warrant and so many more. It literally had me grinning (and singing) with each new song. There were some fantastic and seamless mash-ups of great songs that bounced from scene to scene all on the same stage. The music alone was worth the trip. All played by the live band on stage, the fictional “Arsenal” the band fronted by character Stacee Jaxx. Let me tell you these guys rocked, extremely tight in their transitions and musicianship.

As good as the music was we cannot forget the vocals, when the main character Drew holds the high notes in songs from the likes of Whitesnake, Journey, and Foreigner it was awesome, and he held one note so long near the end of the second act the crowd was actually gasping. It’s quite impressive to be able to sing some of these songs while frequently ascending and descending metal spiral staircases, and running/dancing across a massive stage (how do these people breathe?).

Sherry (Katie Lamark) the dreamer from a small town sets off on her grand adventure to the Sunset Strip.

Ultimately this is a rock and roll love story (with a couple of side love stories thrown in) between Drew and Sherry that like any relationship has it’s ups and down, from Drew dreaming of being the ‘next one’ on the stage to replace the drunk and debaucherous Stacee Jaxx (Sam Harvey) and the small town girl moving to the ‘big city’ and being sucked in to the aforementioned debauchery.

Without a doubt this was one of my favorite shows I’ve seen recently, and yes, the music and nostalgia may have played a major factor in it. If you missed this show and were a kid of the 80’s or even a fan of 80’s rock, you seriously missed a great show. Wonderfully performed, fantastic production, and super music choices…I see now why Rock of Ages spent so long and was so popular on Broadway!

Thanks to Evenko, the Avenir Centre, PPRL and the entire cast of Rock Of Ages for a fantastic night of music, story, and laughter. As Lonny says…”Everyone loves ‘Jazz Hands’!”

Blue Man Group, that trio of bald and blue performers, joined us for four shows this week, kicking off their world tour, at the brand spanking new Avenir Centre in downtown Moncton.

For over 25 years, the Blue Man Group has thrilled audiences the world over by blending performance art, technology, music and definitely comedy to create an interactive experience that will have the whole family clapping…or as they say, “rock, laugh and party” as three bald, blue guys and their band, along with whacky instruments entertain the crowd. Recently acquired by Cirque du Soleil Entertainment Group they seem to fit right in that mould.

The brand new Avenir Centre is a wonderful new state of the art facility that opened just this past fall. The set up for these shows was an amphitheater configuration at the front end of the arena. The show started with a bang, quite literally with one of the blues banging on a giant drum. The show is broken into a series of different performances that take you on a ride for 90 minutes of music, comedy, and surprises. Complete with a “splash zone” in the first three rows that definitely lives up to it’s name…you’ve been warned.

Blue Man Group performances are heavy on audience participation, as they plucked two unsuspecting crowd members from the audience to participate in two of their skits, much to the pleasure and hilarity of the crowd.

One thing I must say about a show like this, especially if you are near the stage, keep your head up from beginning to end (even if you aren’t in the splash zone), as you never know what may come flying through the air, or ‘end up in your purse’ or hand.

A wonderful show that can be enjoyed by individuals from young to old, as the Blues (as I like to call them) have no dialogue there is no worry about ‘language’ issues. It’s quite amazing how much can be expressed by sheer facial expression and body movement.

A great time was had by all, even those that left with more ‘marshmallows’ than they would have planned for…definitely go see this show if you have the chance! Also, don’t forget to be in the lobby after as the Blues come out to visit!

Thanks to Cirque du Soleil Entertainment Group, Blue Man Group, PPRL, and Evenko for a wonderful evening of entertainment!

Social Media

Find Blue Man Group on Facebook, Twitter and Instagram, online at www.BlueMan.com, and in original content series on YouTube.

Tickets and information

https://www.blueman.com/world-tour/buy-tickets

A great new festival started in the province in 2016 and this year I made sure that I was there for some of it’s second season. The Area 506 Music Festival that takes place on the New Brunswick Day long weekend was designed to be a celebration of New Brunswick community, culture, music, and goods.

The idea for the festival stems from the wish to create something that would encourage New Brunswicker’s from all over and celebrate. Festival organizers suggest that NB has so many amazing things to celebrate and they wanted a weekend to gather and join together in showing those different sides.

Area 506 Music Festival – Saint John, NB

A unique creation that takes place mostly on Long Wharf in a castle constructed of shipping containers. Communities from around the province are invited to show off their own special pieces of New Brunswick culture, as well as local businesses and vendors. The very cool entrance (seen above) is the first sight you see as you enter the festival grounds.

The festival features two stages, what I can the “day” stage, the Canada 150 stage features acts all day long as it’s free to enter the festival grounds during the day to take in the vendors showing the food, clothing and other wares from all around the area.

The Strumbellas – Area 506 Music Festival – Saint John, NB

Due to some logistical challenges I was only able to make the final evening on Sunday and take in the performances of Matt Mays & The Strumbellas. The crowd ranged in age for the 19+ ticketed events in the evening and thoroughly enjoyed the festival the performances throughout the weekend as a few I spoke with had been there for the whole event. Saturday Night featured Tegan & Sara & David Myles and others performing for the crowd.

Matt Mays – Area 506 Music Festival – Saint John, NB

Matt Mays is a perennial favourite throughout the Maritimes and at Area 506, it’s no exception, the crowd loved his honest performance and genuine endearment of his fans. The crowd loved it when he had told them he found his “Saint John, NB” ball hat in Ontario, later tossing it into the crowd.

The Strumbellas – Area 506 Music Festival – Saint John, NB

The Strumbellas finished the night and the weekend at Area 506 and nothing could have ended it better. This rock band from Ontario definitely features flavours of the Maritimes and fits into this festival perfectly. They excited that crowd with their energy, their music, and their personality. I’d never seen them before and I will definitely be following them more and they were highly entertaining.

I highly recommend the Area 506 Music Festival and I’m looking forward to covering even more of it in 2018.