I Missed The Storm?!

I just found out that Storm Large was in Calgary this past weekend! How did I miss that?! I'm so disappointed! (Sorry about all the exlamation marks, but that's actually showing restraint compared to how I feel right now.)

But I've just signed up for the Storm Large and The Balls newsletter so that won't happen again. I just can't believe I missed it. I'm almost tempted to head down to Oregon for the August show. It's not that far... right?

Stampeding with Blue October

I went to see Blue October at the Calgary Stampede last night. And I'm happy to report that Calgary audiences have redeemed themselves in my eyes. Despite tornado warnings and a brief downpour during several songs of this outdoor concert, the crowd was a good size and definitely more enthusiastic than at Mac Hall earlier this year. And my 19-year-old cousin assured me that I would have no doubt about the crowd's enthusiasm if I'd joined him in the mosh pit… I'll just take his word for that! Mind you, my friend Mandy pointed out that it is Stampede and so there were lots of tourists, including folks from Edmonton (speaking of which, it was great to meet you Donna!) and probably folks from Blue October's own stomping grounds: Texas (we get a lot of Texans coming up for Stampede). Well, if that's what it takes to show Calgary audiences how to appreciate this band, I'll take it!

The concert itself was amazing, even better than at Mac Hall for two reasons: (1) Blue October played some of their older songs, not just songs from Foiled. I mean, Foiled is an awesome album but I was thrilled to hear them play "Independently Happy" (now uploaded into My Music Box in my sidebar) and "Ugly Side"; and (2) The band obviously feeds off the energy of the audience. So the more into it you get, the more into it they get. Win-win!

I was also impressed with how aware the band was about what was going on in the audience. At one point, some big guy in the mosh pit started acting like a jerk and pushing people around. And I gather there was a 13-year-old boy in the midst of the fray. Given that I'd heard of a fight in the mosh pit during an earlier Stampede concert that ended up with someone getting all bloody, I was a little worried. But Justin just said a few calm words directed at the trouble maker, saying that we're all just here for fun and to pick on someone his own size (or something to that effect). Apparently everyone in the mosh pit stopped and stared at this jerk of a guy who then just left. No fists, no blood, simply walked away. Well done, Justin.

To read my review of the Mac Hall concert, where I wax poetic about the artistry of Justin Furstenfeld as a performer and a songwriter, head over to Limes with Orange (my general blog) or the Blue October Canada MySpace blog.

Jazz Festival — Calgary, Alberta

It's almost time for the annual C-Jazz Festival. The "C" stand for Calgary (not cookie... but it's still good enough for me) and the festival runs from June 19-24, so I just have a couple of weeks to figure out which of the many acts to take in. I think I might have to check out The Funked Up Jazz Ambassadors (F.U.J.A.) because I think their name is really cool (maybe that's a lame reason, but sometimes you actually can judge a book by its cover).

In any case, I've decided to submit this festival to the Things You Should Do contest. Their site is full of Cool Places and Hot Nightclubs all over the world. And I could win an iPhone if they think my suggestion is the best! (Here are the details about the iPhone Contest, if you're interested.)

Every Little Thing They Do Is Magic

Speaking of music in the 80s, I'm sure most people are already aware that The Police are on tour again! Unfortunately, they're not coming to Calgary, just Edmonton on June 2, but I'm bloody tempted to make the trek for the concert. (If only it was the following weekend... I'm heading up there already for my cousin's wedding.)

I still remember the annual Police Picnics that they held in Toronto back in the 80's. I was lucky enough to go to the last one and even meet the band afterwards. They were great and they even signed my cast! (I'd gone to the concert with a broken arm.) I wanted to save the cast when it was taken off but it was just too gross. Fortunately, I did have their autographs on paper, too... but the cast would have been a really cool memento!

Blue October Calgary Contest

Win a trip to see Blue October in concert on July 15 at the Calgary Stampede!

The grand prize winner will receive two nights accommodation (July 14 & 15), two flights from WestJet, a chance to meet Blue October, two midway rider cards, food vouchers and transportation to and from the Stampede. If I didn't already live in Calgary, I'd be entering. Hell, I'm tempted to enter anyway... who cares about the flights? I just want everything else!

To enter, head over to Access Magazine. The contest started last Monday and closes Saturday, June 30th, 2007. Winners will be drawn Tuesday, July 3rd and contacted by phone. Good luck!

Lacuna Coil

I just found out that Lacuna Coil is coming to Calgary on May 26, playing Mac Hall. I find it kind of funny ("I find it kind of sad..." sorry, couldn't resist) because I have an Eventful Sticker for Lacuna Coil up on my MySpace profile, but as far as I can tell those 31 demands for them to come to Calgary had nothing to do with their actual choice of tour locations. Oh well, they're coming so it really doesn't matter what got them here!

I'm not familiar with their new album yet, so I might have to pick it up and give it a listen to before the concert. In the meantime, I've uploaded "Swamped" from their previous album Comalies to My Music Box. Enjoy!