Patrons of the Regent Theatre are in for a double treat this weekend. On Saturday, April 22, 2023, there is a tribute to the great singer/songwriter team Simon and Garfunkel. On Sunday, April 23, one-half of Canada’s fave singer/songwriter team Jim Cuddy of Blue Rodeo, brings his band to the storied venue. I’m not saying anything, but the other half does live nearby, as in Greg Keelor, recent recipient of the 2022 OMAs Lifetime Achievement and Hall of Fame awards. I’m not saying anything, but if your bestie was in your area, you could imagine a visit. Anyway, I’m not saying anything.
Anyway, Jim has his own songs to sing; his most recent release, the 2019 Countrywide Soul, is a soulful affair, and one can’t deny the man is a soulful singer. And much like the aforementioned Simon and Garfunkel, there is indeed a melodic sway to his way.
Fans of Soul music are also in for a treat at the Regent when The Tonettes with Grady Harrell, perform the hits of Motown on Friday, April 21; Smokey Robinson, Diana Ross, Supremes, Temptations, Jackie Wilson and James Brown tracks will all be featured. They may want to remove the seats for this one; otherwise, there may be dancing in the streets!
There will be more dancing, I’m guessing, when the Bomb and their Retro 80s, plus Rewind the 90s hit the Biltmore on Saturday night. With Cars, Cure, Billy Idol, NIN, Chilli Peppers, Soundgarden, and Bowie on deck, it will be a whole lot of Singles, all Pretty in Pink! The night will reek of Teen Spirit.
Also at the Biltmore this weekend, those looking for more contemporary sounds can dig TO punkers, The Anti-Queens. If this trio were doing retro 80s/90s, I’d hazard a guess it would be more Joan Jett and Hole. The A-Queens are Emily Bones on vox/guitar, Val Knox on guitar/vox, and Zoe McMillan on the drums.
Also, on Friday, the psych-blues of Howling Gales blow back into the Atria. Totally digging these kats. Saturday at the Atria its Revcall with Buffalo Bill, and also on the bill Wednesday Bender, a four-piece of scrappy skate punk, which reminds me of my own 80s.
Outside the core on Friday, Errol Boucher is at the Wee Pub; Deuce is at the Bollocks, and the Buttercups are at Simcoe Blues and Jazz.
Before we wrap up, I should note the Simon and Garfunkel tribute band is led by John Sheard, music
director of the late Stuart Mclean’s Vinyl Cafe. He has appeared on albums by or played with a Who’s Who of Cancon from Sylvia Tyson to Owen Pallett, and as a producer, he has worked with the Guess Who, the Good Brothers, and Oshawa’s own Shirley Eikhard.