HOLLERADO TAKES A BOW ON FINAL TOUR
Listen to some homegrown music this weekend before hitting the polls Monday
This might be a music column, but that doesn’t mean it won’t tell you to go vote.
The federal election takes place on Oct. 21, and whomever you decide to vote for, make sure you get out there and do it. Participate in this lovely democracy we live in.
Now, back to music.
The week after Thanksgiving, there’s plenty of music to appreciate if you were busy last weekend with turkey and family and whatnot.
There’s a band that’s on their last tour ever, some brilliant local talent (as usual) and a variety of genres to choose from. Make plans to have a nice hot chocolate and walk outside in the fall weather to a concert. Or just party hard — your call.
HOLLERADO
When: Saturday, Oct. 19
Where: Amigos Cantina
What: Canadian rock band Hollerado is on their farewell tour. The show on Saturday at Amigos is billed as their last one ever in Saskatoon, so take advantage of it while you can. These guys fit in somewhere just near the edges of the punk-rock genre popularized in the early 2000s, but they’ve swung more into the indie rock scene with their more recent songs. It’s a shame that this’ll be their last tour, because they’re a ton of fun to hear — it’s high-energy, high-power stuff without being over-the-top.
DEL BARBER
When: Sunday, Oct. 20
Where: The Bassment
What: Self-described as “alt country” and “folk,” I think I would probably describe Del Barber as one of the smoothest and most laid-back country artists I’ve ever heard. He’s got a killer voice — and there are way more layered harmonies in the vocals than anyone should be used to hearing on a typical country album. Barber is a smart musician, and this seems like a perfect date-night concert if you’re a country fan. Call it what you want — country, alt country, folk-country — but Barber’s music has that distinctive twang to go along with the relaxed melodies of a lot of prairie folk musicians.
DORIAN THORSON
When: Saturday, Oct. 19
Where: JT’S Bar and Grill
What: There aren’t a lot of high-quality R&b-style musicians in Saskatoon — so let’s endeavour to talk about as many of them as we possibly can. Dorian Thorson, real name Dorian Penna, is originally from Vancouver but is currently based right here in Saskatoon. His music is really top-notch — it flirts more with the hip-hop side of R&B music, and there’s also not a ton of hiphop artists in the city. Saturday’s show is an album release party for Thorson, and it’s worth going for a listen — or getting yourself the album. It’s powerful stuff, and Thorson is a burgeoning master of his craft with a great, made-for-hip-hop voice.