Latest news with #Rockin'Thunder
Edmonton Journal
2 days ago
- Entertainment
- Edmonton Journal
REVIEW: Def Leppard, Joan Jett, Queensrÿche a killer kickoff to Rockin' Thunder
The monumental Rock of Ages is easily one of Def Leppard's defining heights of song — but it's also a nice way to describe the inaugural Rockin' Thunder music fest, kicking off with eight hours of straight, plugged-in, eternal AM radio rock Friday to an enormous party crowd. Article content Up top, headlining as night crept in: the aforementioned British quintet — ever in a tight race with Iron Maiden and Metallica in the 'most-seen T-shirts' contest around here. Article content Article content As such, arena-level masses of high thousands were no surprise, dancing, grinding and getting otherwise impressively pornographic in front of a bunch of elder blonde dudes, culminating in a scream-along Pour Some Sugar On Me in front of computer-graphic space motorbikes spewing lightning. Article content Article content Starting off with the deliciously proggy spoken opening to Queen of the Reich — just so we knew who was playing, perhaps — 13-year-member, Bob-Seger-vibed lead singer Todd La Torre quickly demonstrated his ceiling shattering tones to heights we really wouldn't quite hear again today, holding notes long enough to make all the resident dragonflies crash land. Article content Article content Queensrÿche, in a word, ruled, as anyone who enjoys the Ronnie James Dio era of Black Sabbath might tell you, the show ranging from a Priest-y-feeling Breaking the Silence to a wall-of-sound, guitar-explosive Warning, and sing-alongs I Don't Believe in Love and The Needle Lies, with co-founder Michael Wilton riff-blasting that sick skull guitar into our faces with his wicked metal scowl, back to back with evil-looking Mike Stone. Article content Article content They nodded to Ozzy and just-laid-to-rest Black Sabbath, but for my money, the growly, soaring Empire was the height, which the band capped off with Eyes of a Stranger after La Torre thanked their dedicated fans, or as he called them, 'repeat offenders.' Article content Hell of a start, already checking my watch, wondering how to handle such an onslaught for seven more hours. Article content Next up, after some hellos from the amicable and big-hearted Terry Evans, were Prairie rockers Toque, who I honestly did not know leaned into the covers so hard. But hey, in a crumbling world where we're waving in the ultimate karaoke of A.I. with such blind enthusiasm, may as well lie back and enjoy it!
Edmonton Journal
4 days ago
- Entertainment
- Edmonton Journal
Rockin' Thunder, Europa Super Circus and more weekend fun in Edmonton
Article content Reviews and recommendations are unbiased and products are independently selected. Postmedia may earn an affiliate commission from purchases made through links on this page. Article content Rockin' Thunder: Was time when it was inconceivable you wouldn't hear Def Leppard at least three times a day out in the wilds of Edmonton, which is certainly still true if you have AM radio cranked in the shop. Article content Article content The New Wave of British Heavy Metal pioneers, going since the year Star Wars came out, hit the stratosphere as Mutt Lange's earlier, pre-Shania Twain melodic project with hits like the poppy Animal and Armageddon It, and earlier classics including Photograph and the mighty Rock of Ages. With Joan Jett and the Blackhearts also on the Friday bill — plus Bret Michaels, Toque and day-openers Queensrÿche — there's bound to be sore arms holding devil's horns up all day and night. Article content Saturday switches from AM hair rock to '90s alt, Weezer atop Stone Temple Pilots, Sam Roberts Band, The Trews and Default in — here we go — the first huge music fest of the summer. Article content Feel free to bring a folding chair or blanket, and look for a review of Day 1 here Saturday. Article content Article content Article content Article content Making its Edmonton debut in a cross-Canada tour, clowns, high wire and aerial acrobats are joined by roller skaters and freestyle motocross bike riders leaping across open space in this multi-show extravaganza of skill and daring. Article content The show runs 90 minutes, and there's food for sale in the tent. Article content
Winnipeg Free Press
5 days ago
- Entertainment
- Winnipeg Free Press
Gallery: Hot start for first night of Winnipeg's new concert series on big stage
Winnipeg's first stadium shows in nearly a decade started off hot and heavy. The inaugural Thunder Concert series kicked off Wednesday with a sweltering evening of rock 'n' roll. The two-night outdoor music festival at Princess Auto Stadium is a joint venture between the Winnipeg Football Club and True North Sports + Entertainment. Opening night, dubbed Rockin' Thunder, featured a lineup of Toque, Foreigner, Joan Jett and the Blackhearts and Def Leppard. DWAYNE LARSEN / FREE PRESS Def Leppard performs at the inaugural Thunder Concert series Wednesday at Princess Auto Stadium. The sun was blazing and the temperature was hovering around 29 C when Canadian band Toque took the stage. The first act, which includes Winnipeg-born bassist Brent Fitz , performed to a sparse crowd as fans trickled into the venue. Fair warning: Navigating rush hour traffic through Pembina Highway construction to get to the south Winnipeg stadium for 5 p.m. is a bit of a bear. Attendees for Thursday's Country Thunder show (with Riley Green, Tyler Hubbard, Nate Smith and Madeline Merlo) would do well to arrive early, pick an alternate route, carpool or take advantage of the park and ride service. On-campus lot parking is $25. Passes can be purchased on site or in advance. Wednesday's concert brought out 22,500 people, with 20,000 more expected Thursday. Pretty good for a new event taking place mid-week at the busy beginning of summer festival season. Still, the 30,000-seat stadium — which hosted its last major music act, Guns N' Roses, in 2017 — wasn't exactly full. The stands were more populated by the time Foreigner lead singer Kelly Hanson bounded on stage in tight, canary yellow pants. DWAYNE LARSEN / FREE PRESS Def Leppard put on a fun, glittery performance worthy of a big stadium show. Fresh off an induction into the Rock & Roll Hall of Fame, the long-running English-American band raised the temperature with Cold as Ice and an encore of I Want to Know What Love Is, featuring local choristers from Daniel McIntyre and Gordon Bell high schools. The bands played from a large enclosed stage at the northern end of the stadium. The music was loud, but sound quality and sightlines varied throughout the space — the latter could've been improved with more live video screens beyond the two flanking the stage. It's unclear why the massive in-house displays weren't utilized during performances. Those seated in the eastern 200-level bore the brunt of the setting sun, while the assigned seating and standing sections of the turf-level floor remained hot but shaded. Between sets, the concourse was packed with an eclectic group of fans wearing concert tees from every imaginable rock band and at least a few blonde, hair metal-inspired wigs. Joan Jett walked onstage at 8 p.m. wearing tinted glasses, leather and her signature choker, but without her guitar. The error was quickly righted and a punchy set filled with iconic hits ensued, from Cherry Bomb to I Love Rock 'n' Roll to Bad Reputation. DWAYNE LARSEN / FREE PRESS Def Leppard bassist Rick Savage performs. The American frontwoman also took a moment to speak disapprovingly of the political climate in her home country, which garnered a big cheer. Every Second Friday The latest on food and drink in Winnipeg and beyond from arts writers Ben Sigurdson and Eva Wasney. British rockers Def Leppard had the most elaborate set, touching down on a tiered stage surrounded by spacey visuals and flashing lights. The intergalactic motif continued with songs Armageddon It and Rocket, followed by other career-spanning touchstones, including Let's Get Rocked and Love Bites. At press time, the headlining act — made up of lead vocalist Joe Elliott, guitarists Phil Collen and Vivian Campbell, bassist Rick Savage and drummer Rick Allen — was in the midst of a fun, glittery performance worthy of a big stadium show. The wind picked up and clouds started rolling in part-way through the set, creating a fitting backdrop for the wailing guitar solos and thundering drum beats coming from the stage. Tickets for Country Thunder are still available via Ticketmaster. DWAYNE LARSEN / FREE PRESS Wednesday's concert brought out 22,500 people to Princess Auto Stadium. DWAYNE LARSEN / FREE PRESS Rock fans enjoy the sights and sounds as Def Leppard performs at the inaugural Thunder Concert series Wednesday at Princess Auto Stadium. DWAYNE LARSEN / FREE PRESS Def Leppard guitarist Vivian Campbell performs. DWAYNE LARSEN / FREE PRESS Rock fans enjoy the sights and sounds as Def Leppard performs at the inaugural Thunder Concert series Wednesday at Princess Auto Stadium. DWAYNE LARSEN / FREE PRESS Rock fans enjoy the sights and sounds as Def Leppard performs at the inaugural Thunder Concert series Wednesday at Princess Auto Stadium. DWAYNE LARSEN / FREE PRESS Def Leppard lead singer Joe Elliot performs at the inaugural Thunder Concert series Wednesday at Princess Auto Stadium. DWAYNE LARSEN / FREE PRESS Rock fans enjoy the sights and sounds as Def Leppard performs at the inaugural Thunder Concert series Wednesday at Princess Auto Stadium. DWAYNE LARSEN / FREE PRESS The two-night outdoor music festival at Princess Auto Stadium is a joint venture between the Winnipeg Football Club and True North Sports + Entertainment. Eva WasneyReporter Eva Wasney has been a reporter with the Free Press Arts & Life department since 2019. Read more about Eva. Every piece of reporting Eva produces is reviewed by an editing team before it is posted online or published in print — part of the Free Press's tradition, since 1872, of producing reliable independent journalism. Read more about Free Press's history and mandate, and learn how our newsroom operates. Our newsroom depends on a growing audience of readers to power our journalism. If you are not a paid reader, please consider becoming a subscriber. Our newsroom depends on its audience of readers to power our journalism. Thank you for your support.
Winnipeg Free Press
7 days ago
- Entertainment
- Winnipeg Free Press
Winnipeg drummer paralyzed from chest down overcomes challenges, teams up with Def Leppard's Rick Allen
Jeff Elwood picked up his first drumsticks as a teenager and immediately joined a band. He liked emulating his favourite rock stars as much as he enjoyed the camaraderie of playing music with friends. Rockin' Thunder ● Wednesday, 5 p.m. ● Def Leppard, Joan Jett, Foreigner, Toque ● Tickets from $79.50 at Ticketmaster Country Thunder ● Thursday, 5 p.m. ● Riley Green, Tyler Hubbard, Nate Smith and Madeline Merlo ● Tickets from $125.50 at Ticketmaster Princess Auto Stadium, 315 Chancellor Matheson Rd. 'Making music, as opposed to listening to it, is the biggest thrill,' says the Winnipeg-born drummer over the phone from his home in Kelowna. When a motocross accident left Elwood paralyzed from the chest down at 21 years old, learning how to drum again became a singular goal — one that, once met, would lead to arena rock shows, a forthcoming documentary and a close personal friendship with Def Leppard drummer Rick Allen. It took nearly a decade, several minor electrocutions and a chipped tooth before Elwood, 56, perfected his wheelchair drumming technique. Figuring out the kick drum was a major hurdle. He and two high school bandmates rigged up a mouthguard with a switch connected to an electric pedal. Later versions featured a custom mouthpiece moulded by an orthodontist, but the aforementioned injuries and an insurmountable lag made the mouth switch a non-starter. Elwood had a light-bulb moment. He rearranged his kit and started using his floor tom as a bass drum, playing every pattern with his hands. Paired with a chest strap to stabilize his torso — which Elwood calls a 'rock 'n' roll girdle' — he was finally back in the groove. 'I never imagined that you could play drums with just two limbs. Even though I do it in a different way, it still has the exact same feeling. It doesn't feel like a wheelchair thing,' he says. Supplied Rick Allen (left) and Jeff Elwood both play on modified drum kits. Supplied Rick Allen (left) and Jeff Elwood both play on modified drum kits. Elwood has been drumming professionally since the early 2000s, playing in two cover bands and an original outfit, called Life, which has opened for Lynyrd Skynyrd and Foreigner. Shortly thereafter, he was introduced to Allen via a longtime friend who worked in the concert industry. The pair met backstage at a Def Leppard show in British Columbia and bonded over their parallel experiences — Allen, 61, also relearned how to drum after losing his left arm in a car crash in 1984. 'It's something that I really wanted to continue doing,' Allen says, speaking over the phone prior to a show in Connecticut. 'And it really elevated me to a different level, not only my drumming, but in my life. Jeff is the same, he saw an opportunity to reframe things and that's exactly when he did.' They exchanged numbers and have remained in contact for more than 20 years. 'People look up to me, but I really look up to him. He's part of my inspiration, part of my support team,' Allen says of Elwood. The friendship has spawned several personal and professional opportunities — including a fateful introduction to Steve Jordan of the Rolling Stones, which has led to Elwood mentoring another wheelchair drummer and helping design an adaptive drum kit program. SUPPLIED Allen and Elwood in an undated photo. Allen and Elwood in an undated photo. He's also been tasked with helping co-ordinate a fundraising campaign for the expansion of Allen's Raven Drum Foundation into Canada. The foundation offers music therapy workshops and counselling for first responders and veterans dealing with post-traumatic stress. 'He's just been a really great guy to me, and it meant a lot that he trusted me enough to spearhead this,' Elwood says of Allen. The duo are also in the midst of filming a documentary with Winnipeg filmmaker Leona Krahn, who heard about Elwood's story from a mutual friend. Rhythm of Resilience, the film's working title, is Krahn's 10th documentary and a departure from previous work about prostate cancer, organ donation, refugees and public housing. SUPPLIED Documentarian Leona Krahn and Rick Allen Documentarian Leona Krahn and Rick Allen 'It's quite exciting to be able to interact with artists on this level. This story is really about the power of dreaming, no matter what card you are dealt in life,' she says. Filming has been underway since last year and she expects the doc to be released by next summer, pending talks with broadcasters. Allen was quick to agree to participate in the film, despite a busy touring schedule. 'There's always time to inspire people. Whatever someone's been through, in terms of physical or mental injuries, sometimes all they need is a spark of inspiration,' he says. Elwood, Krahn and Allen will reunite in Winnipeg this week while Def Leppard is in town to headline the first night of the Thunder concert series at Princess Auto Stadium. Every Second Friday The latest on food and drink in Winnipeg and beyond from arts writers Ben Sigurdson and Eva Wasney. Eva WasneyReporter Eva Wasney has been a reporter with the Free Press Arts & Life department since 2019. Read more about Eva. Every piece of reporting Eva produces is reviewed by an editing team before it is posted online or published in print — part of the Free Press's tradition, since 1872, of producing reliable independent journalism. Read more about Free Press's history and mandate, and learn how our newsroom operates. Our newsroom depends on a growing audience of readers to power our journalism. If you are not a paid reader, please consider becoming a subscriber. Our newsroom depends on its audience of readers to power our journalism. Thank you for your support.
CBC
03-04-2025
- Entertainment
- CBC
Riley Green replaces Jason Aldean at Winnipeg concert slated for July 10
Alabama country singer Riley Green has replaced Jason Aldean as the headliner for the Country Thunder concert slated for Winnipeg's Princess Auto Stadium on July 10, True North Sports and Entertainment announced Thursday. Opening acts Tyler Hubbard, Nate Smith and Madeline Merlo remain on the bill for the concert, the second in a two-night series that includes a Rockin' Thunder event on July 9 featuring Def Leppard, Joan Jett Foreigner and Toque. Aldean's performance in Winnipeg was scrapped due to a scheduling conflict, True North said. "Regretfully, an unforeseen conflict arose with Winnipeg's concert date, which is the only factor in the cancellation," True North said in a statement. Aldean is still slated to play Craven, Sask. on July 11. In January, Aldean performed at an inaugural ball for U.S. President Donald Trump, who has spent months musing about the use of economic leverage to annex Canada.
