Shakey Graves @ Burton Cummings Theatre - Winnipeg
May 9th 2022: Shakey Graves with Begonia @ Burton Cummings Theatre - Winnipeg
Shakey Graves - Photos Courtesy of Jenny Ramone
Shakey Graves’ first appearance in front of a Winnipeg audience was back in 2014 at the Winnipeg Folk Festival. His presence was so beloved, that he was invited back the following year. Clearly making lifelong fans in the prairie city, Shakey Graves returned May 9 to a sold-out crowd at the city’s historic Burton Cumming’s Theatre.
The evening began with Shakey Graves solo on stage with a guitar and suitcase kick drum. He grabbed the audience’s attention immediately and kept the Monday night crowd captivated for the duration of the night. After a stripped-down version of the Pixies’ “Where Is My Mind”, Shakey Graves brought out his 5 piece band and performed songs spanning his entire discography. The band ripped through “Kids These Days”, “Mansion Door” and “Family and Genus” before launching into fan-favorite sing-along “Dearly Departed”. Returning to a solo set up Shakey Graves regaled the crowd with an antidote of his adventure in the Winnipeg Folk Festival campground before playing “If Not For You” and break out hit “Roll The Bones”. The show was wrapped with a duet of Neil Young’s “Unknown Legend” with the opening act Begonia.
Winnipeg’s own Begonia opened the night with a powerful 45 min set. The excitement to see a hometown artist kicking off the night was palpable and the crowd welcomed the band with open arms. Alexa Dirk’s voice was in peak form as she screamed her way through “Fear” and then brought it right back down for fan-favorite “Hot Dog Stand”.
Begonia
Begonia with Dana Lee @ West End Cultural Centre, Winnipeg, Manitoba
Photos and review courtesy of Jenny Ramone Photo | February 27 2020
For most people February 27th 2020 was just an average Thursday, but for the 300 plus people who packed Winnipeg’s West End Cultural Centre the day will live on as something more. It was shortly after 9pm when Winnipeg’s Begonia took to the dimly lit, glitter fringe draped stage and the buzzing crowd fell silent, not wanting to miss a second of a show to which tickets had been purchased in late 2019. Tickets to the first 3 of 5 shows at the intimate venue had sold in hours, 2 more shows were later added and sold equally as fast, to say these were the hottest tickets in town would be a massive understatement.
Begonia, the solo project of Chic Gamine’s Alexa Dirks, has been on the rise since her EP “Lady in Mind” dropped in 2017. Hot off a tour in support of “Fear”, her first full length album, Dirks was visibly happy to be home celebrating the album’s release and all of Winnipeg welcomed the band with open arms. Dirks took to the stage in a light purple ballerina style dress which was almost as dramatic as the light on stage and began singing Otherside acapella, joined mid-song by backup singers Heather Thomas and Kenzie Jane. Later in the evening Alexa spoke about trying to find a balance between being emotionally vulnerable and strong as hell, something she achieved with the flow of the night’s setlist. Intimate, quiet moments, a stripped down version of fan favorite Hot Dog Stand and a haunting duo performance of Dead Flowers in the encore, flowed into all out bangers The Light, Out Of My Head and Fear, tracks on which the power of Alexa’s voice really shines.
With a set designed by Winnipeg artist Seth Woodyard and band outfits designed by local designer Tony Chestnut, the city of Winnipeg’s best and brightest creative minds came together to create a live experience that doesn’t happen often. An evening full of emotion, drama, and beauty with sprinkles of humour and goofiness.
Alexa Dirks has found her voice with Begonia. Her lyrics are deeply personal and she leaves it all on the stage with her commanding live presence. She is a force to be reckoned with and it won't be long before Begonia is a household name in Canada and beyond.
Winnipeg singer songwriter Dana Lee played a lower key opening set. Lee's sweet, sultry voice was a perfect juxtaposition to Alexa's powerful vocals and the band's groovy pop sound eased the crowd onto the main event.
Scenic Route to Alaska @ The Pyramid Cabaret, Winnipeg, Manitoba
Photos and review by Jenny Ramone Photo | October 19, 2019
Three piece indie-pop trio, Scenic Route to Alaska played an intimate set at Winnipeg’s Pyramid Cabaret October 19, 2019.
The three piece based out of Edmonton were on the second of thirteen dates in support of their latest single “Give a Little” which was released just the previous day. The band sandwiched the new material in the middle of the set which included fan favorites “Love Keeps”, “Paris” and “Coming Back”. “Give a Little” and it’s message of trying to bring a little light among the darkness of everyday life is a welcome addition to the band’s repertoire.
One can tell the guys in the band, which formed in 2011, are good friends. Their banter on stage is playful and goofy, which kept the vibe in the room laid back and loose even through the slower moments.
Reverend Horton Heat @ The Pyramid Cabaret, Winnipeg, Manitoba
With support from The Hooten Hallers and The Delta Bombers
Photos and review courtesy of Jenny Ramone Photos | June 28 2019
Rockabilly legend Reverend Horton Heat stopped played Winnipeg’s Pyramid Cabaret June 28, 2019. The Reverend and his band consisting of long time bass player Jimbo Wallace and drummer Arjuna “RJ” Contreras tore through about a dozen songs as a three piece before the stage faded to black and the Reverend removed his suit coat. Through the first part of their set the Reverend, real name Jim Heath, was focused and straight faced, smiling only when he was pleased with the tasty lick he’d just laid down, but once he removed his coat Heath relaxed and it became clear he was there to have some fun. In fact the band had brought along a couple of guest musicians to help throw a party on a hot summer’s night. Jerry Lee Lewis inspired piano phenom Lance Lipinksy was brought out first and wowed the audience with his 50’s style piano chops and sky high pompador. Montreal’s Bloodshot Bill, whose voice might be one of the most unique out there right now, rounded out the evening with some greasy, guitar licking, hip shaking blues. Even though he’s now in his 60’s the Reverend shows no signs of slowing down and can still throw one hell of a party!
Opening sets were provided by Missouri’s blues rock trio the Hooten Hallers and 50’s infused rock’n’rollers out of Vegas, the Delta Bombers.
TD Winnipeg International Jazz Festival, Winnipeg, Manitoba
Photos & review courtesy of Jenny Ramone Photos | June 18 2019
Elijah Wood x Jamie Fine
2019 marked the 30th anniversary for the TD Winnipeg International Jazz Festival. The streamlined festival ran 6 days this year rather than the 10 days of past years. The festival kicked off with a show at the Canadian Museum for Human Rights on June 18th and continued through to June 23rd with free shows at the Cube in Wnnipeg’s Exchange District as well as ticketed shows in venues around the city.
Hip hop artist Common, New Orleans funk band Galactic, Jazz vocalist Bobby McFerrin and pop duo Elijah Wood X Jamie Fine were among touring headliners of this year’s Jazz Fest. The lineup was also stacked with incredible local acts like Dirty Catfish Brass Band, Sebastian Gaskin, Liam Duncan, Apollo Suns, Living Hour, Boniface and a collaboration between 3peat and Royal Canoe dubbed RC3PO.
Here are the highlights of what we caught:
Liam Duncan
The Cube in Old Market Square
Singer song-writer Liam Duncan, formerly of the Middle Coast, played the opening night at the Cube in Old Market Square for the 2019 Jazz Festival. The show fell just a couple days before Liam’s debut solo album “If I Don’t Feel Better” dropped. Liam’s honest, heartfelt music drifted through downtown Winnipeg as a light rain sprinkled on the Wednesday night crowd.
Common with Sebastian Gaskin
Centennial Concert Hall
Acclaimed hip hop artist Common made his first appearance in Winnipeg at the Centennial Concert Hall June 20. Common, backed by a six-piece band, played an explosive 80 minute in front of an enthusiastic, welcoming crowd. Opening the show was local R&B singer song-writer Sebasitan Gaskin. Gaskin’s sound flowed between genres throughout his set, at times guitar driven rock and at others straight up rap, but his thoughtful lyrics bridge any gap. Sebastian Gaskin is a name to remember as he is on his way to great places!
Snotty Nose Rez Kids
The Cube at Old Market Square
Indigenous hip hop duo Snotty Nose Rez Kids rocked the Cube in Old Market Square June 20th. The duo, comprised of high school friends Yung Trybez and Young D, write thought provoking lyrics aiming to dismantle the stereotypes surrounding the Indigenous communities of Canada. Their efforts have been rewarded by being long listed for the Polaris Music Prize two years running, being shortlisted for the Polaris prize in 2018, and being nominated for a Juno, a Western Canadian Music award and an Indigenous Music Award. Despite the accolades, the group remains focused on providing a voice for and uplifting their people.
Galactic with Dirty Catfish Brass Band
Burton Cummings Theatre
New Oleans funk group Galactic brought their infectious funky party vibes to the Burton Cummings Theatre June 21. Joined by guest vocalist Erica Falls, Galactic had the crowd on its feet grooving along through the entirety of their over an hour set. Kicking of a night of brass driven New Oleans sounds was Winnipeg’s own Dirty Catfish Brass Band who never fail to bring their A game to the stage. They game is so strong members of the DCBB joined Galactic on stage for one of the two songs in the encore.
Apollo Suns
The Cube at Old Market Square
Local psychedelic jazz rock outfit Apollo Suns played a late afternoon set on the outdoor Cube stage in Old Market Square June 22. The 10 piece instrumental group led by guitarist Ed Durochers creates innovative jazz influenced music that remains accessible and dancy to everyone in the audience.
Elijah Wood x Jamie Fine with Olivia Lunny
The Garrick
Breakout Canadian pop duo Elijah Wood x Jamie Fine brought their rowdy playful brand of pop music to the Garrick June 22. Since winning an episode of the Launch, a Canadian music reality TV competition, in early 2018 the duo’s chart topping single “Ain’t Easy” has been certified Platinum in Canada. Support for the evening was provided by Winnipeg’s Olivia Lunny whose catchy pop melodies were the perfect compliment for EWxJF’s genre jumping party tunes.
Danny Michel @ West End Cultural Centre, Winnipeg, Manitoba
Photos & review courtesy of Jenny Ramone Photo | Feb 08 2019
Eclectic Canadian songwriter Danny Michel stopped by Winnipeg’s West End Cultural Centre on February 8, 2019, a frigid, frozen winter’s night. The show marked Michel’s 17th appearance at the venue as well as the 10 year anniversary of his “Live In Winnipeg” album, recorded at the WECC in 2009.
Though he was in town in support of “White & Gold”, Michel drew from his extensive discography through out his two sets. Accompanied on stage by only a red guitar emblazoned with “This machine surrounds hate and forces it to surrender” and a looping pedal, he played stripped down versions of crowd favorites “Feather, Fur and Fin”, “Click Click” and “Tennessee Tobacco”, encouraging the crowd to join in and sing along.
From the moment he walked on stage, Danny Michel held the crowd in the palm of his hand, telling the stories behind the songs, cracking jokes, accepting requests and interacting with the audience. Michel expressed how comfortable he feels playing in Winnipeg and it really shone through on this particular evening. Michel is an entertaining, engaging performer, able to carry a 2 hour show solo without there being a dull moment.
Danny Michel’s tour continues through Western Canada until mid-February before heading to the east coast in March.
Deep Dark Woods @ West End Cultural Centre, Winnipeg, Manitoba
With Support from Kacy & Clayton
Photos and review courtesy of Jenny Ramone | November 21 2018
The Deep Dark Woods brought their prairie influenced take on Americana music to the West End Cultural Centre in Winnipeg, Manitoba on November 21, 2018.
The band, lead by smooth velvety voiced Ryan Boldt, showed no sign of being on the tail end of a ten day tour that took them through western Canada via Spokane and Seattle. From the second the Deep Dark Woods took the stage, the audience was held captive by songs of life, death and trying to survive life on the Canadian Prairies. The band was loose and tastefully jammy, bringing to mind notes of Canadian folk legends the Band or Neil Young.
As a live band, the Deep Dark Woods feels very much like a collaborative effort, with each musician showing respect to their band mates during a guitar or organ solo. The band was joined on harmonies by Kacy Anderson, of opening act Kacy & Clayton, whose sweet breathy voice was the perfect compliment to Boldt’s near baritone. Haunting harmonies, mournful lyrics, twangy guitar, and swelling waves of organ wove together to form a blanket of sound to keep the soul warm through a tough Winnipeg winter.
Saskatchewan based folk duo Kacy & Clayton, who happen to list the Deep Dark Woods as one of their musical influences, warmed up the room for the band they had accompanied on the whole tour. With perfect harmonies and easy picking guitar stylings, Kacy & Clayton’s music sounds and feels like it’s from a time and place in the not so distant past, making one nostalgic for a simpler time.
Reignwolf @ The Pyramid Cabaret, Winnipeg, Manitoba
Photos & review courtesy of Jenny Ramone | November 15 2018
As a music fan there is no greater feeling than walking out of a venue wondering what the hell you just witnessed! Seeing rowdy blues rocker Reignwolf is bound to leave even the harshest critic buzzing with excitement after their captivating live show.
Reignwolf, also known as Jordan Cook, wrapped up his fall tour November 15 at the Pyramid Cabaret in Winnipeg, Manitoba. Having been on the road since mid September, the three piece band were on fire, tearing through a ninety minute set to a sea adoring fans. One such fan was local Blues legend Big Dave McLean, obviously an influence for Cook, who was invited on stage to join Cook for a couple of tunes. Not one to shy away from flirting with danger (as a friend of mine said before the show “there’s an element of safety in there somewhere”) Cook thrashed around the stage, stood atop his signature kickdrum, wrapped the mic cord around his neck and filled the room with a thick layer of fog, all while ripping fierce guitar solos. At a certain point Cook exclaimed he’d had enough of not being able to see drummer Joseph Braley through the fog so he brought Braley, the drum kit and bass player S.J. Kardash down onto the floor for the remainder of the set, much to the delight of the ravenous crowd.
Reignwolf’s live show isn’t for the faint of heart. It’s loud, raucous, grungy and and in-your-face, but it’s also a hell of a lot of fun! With bands like Reignwolf around, we can be sure that rock and roll isn’t going anywhere anytime soon.