It was a weird year coming out of the pandemic.
This year was fraught with forest fires, heat , unseasonable snow, but more importantly a lot of great music and drama.
Local Theatre troupes, Playgoers of Lethbridge and Theatre Outré celebrated big anniversaries this year.
A lot of new bands formed, more established bands released new music .
I caught as much as I could, having to work around family issues, illnesses and finally getting back on stage to act. I caught a couple of great out of town shows, like my usually February break on the Outlaw Country Cruise, Kathleen Edwards opening for Jason Isbel and the 400 Unit in Calgary right after returning from the Cruise.
Later in the year I took in MonkeyJunk, Samantha Fish and Jesse Dayton and more at the Edmonton Blues Festival .
I got to see a lot of Big Sugar’s Gordie Johnson this year. He was playing with Harponist and the Axe Murderer’s Shawn Hall at the Geomatic Attic’s annual Outdoor festival Wide Skies Music Festival in July and August. I saw him again at the Edmonton Blues Festival, Aug. 27 jamming with MonkeyJunk, who also played a great Geomatic Attic show. And I got to see a classic Big Sugar show in Toronto opening for and jamming with Govt. Mule, Sept. 13 at Massey Hall.
But there was a so much to do right here in Lethbridge with lots of outdoor festivals, the last South Country Fair as it stands and a lot more to do. So without further adieu, here’s L.A. Beat’s year in review, bearing in mind I also missed a lot of great shows.
January
Jan. 7 The year usually begins and ends with a show from local R and B and disco collective Hippodrome. They played a few times in town beginning with Pardip Atwal’s birthday party on Jan. 7. They will be back this coming Jan. 6 at the Slice.
Jan. 13 I missed Ellen Froese’ shows later in the year, but was glad to catch her at the Slice, with Richard Inman.
Jan. 13 Eric Braun kicked off a busy year at Casino Lethbridge showing more of his country side.
Jan. 14 The Ashley Hundred returned to the Owl Acoustic Lounge to play a mix of jazz, rock and hip hop
Jan. 15 The Lethbridge Folk Club got an early start on the year with Edmonton musician John Hewitt.
Jan. 20 -21 CBC opened a new Lethbridge bureau with local music including Starpainter and family activities at the Lethbridge Public Library .
Jan. 21 Horizon were prominent faces at outfdoor festivals and events this year, but played Honkers Pub,
—l’Omelette, featuring Peter and the Wolves’ Meg Thompson and Peter Cormier on drums, played couple excellent jazz and R and B shows this year including at the Owl Acoustic Lounge.
Jan. 25 Local Celtic band Celtic Routes played all mover town, usuallly hosting a monthly Celtic jam at Theoeretically Brewing, but had a busy January with several Robbie Burns related shows.
Jan. 27 Local alternative riock duo made a rare appearance aon stage at the Slice to blow a few lights and eardrums with original alternative rock.
February
Feb. 3 The Rainbow Patrol played all over the place this year.A s always Richard Charlton and company rocked the Owl Acoustic Lounge.
Feb. 5 Local country band El Mule played the first of several shows this year at the Owl Acoustic Lounge.
— Don Cassell from The Dark Wrangler celebrated 70 years by playing his usual set of gritty CCR inspired rock and roll with Danica Sommer.
Feb. 11 Tyler Vandendool made the first of a couple local appearances at the Slice this year with Makiisma
— Progressive rock/ emo band Alec Arms played in several iterations this year, including the full electric experience art the Owl Acoustic Lounge for the AES Audio Engineer Society annual Fundraiser.
March
March 1 Before coming home after the Outlaw Country Cruise 7, I caught Jason Isbel and the 400 Unit at the Jack Singer Concert hall in Calgary, Feb. 28 It was excellent with Isbel playing a mix of crowd favourites and new songs.
March 4
Honkers Pub celebrated 26 years with lots of Honkers favourites like Laurie and the Guys, Paul Kype, Luke James Bruce and the Mark Hall band, later to rebrand themselves as Undefined
March 8 Missed the Cancer bats at the Slice.
March 11 Okay Mann played an excellent set of alt country and roots music at The Owl Acoustic lounge.
— Another excellent country band El Mule aka Trevor Christensen backed by Megan Brown on fiddle and drummer Brad Brouwer, bassist Paul Holden plus Noeline Hofman adding background vocals played one of many excellent shows this year, this time at the Slice.
March 14 Bagpipe powered Canadian Scottish punk mainstays The Real McKenzies shows can be a little messy, as their March 14 show at the Owl Acoustic Lounge. The music was great but frontman Paul McKenzie rubbed some of the audience the wrong way with some of his stage patter. It was still one of my favourites of the year. The Anti-Queens played an amazing opening set, though I missed MomBod’s opening set.
March 18 Suite 33 played a fundraiser forpopular for young bronc rider Sandy Cooper at Honkers Pub.
— I only caught the end of Maddie Storvold’s show at the Geomatic Attic
March 20 Young local talent showed their chops at the Lethbridge and District Music and Speech Arts Festival..
March 24 Calgary rockabilly band Peter And the Wolves always put on a great show. They played Lethbridge several times this year at Casino Lethbridge and at the Slice, march 24
— Saskatoon band Green Wing played the first of several local shows of ’90s style power pop at the Owl Acoustic lounge.
March 25 The Lethbridge Blues and Jazz Festival brought TendaVillage to the Owl Acoustic lounge to play some beautiful jazz and R and B music .
— Local band Trainwreck played a lot this year, usually at Honkers pub, but played Casino Lethbridge, March 24 and 25
March 25 Probably the best blues show of the year was MonkeyJunk’s 15th anniversary show with Peter and the Wolves for the Geomatic Attic at the German Canadian Club.
April
April 1 Kevin Peters played one of many great country shows at the Slice
—Bluegrass / string band inspired band RedGirl played an innovative set of folk music for the Lethbridge Folk Club incorporating an eight string mandocello.
April 2 John Wort Hannam won a Canadian Folk music Award for his album “Long Haul”
April 4 I missed the Geomatic Attic’s presentation of Reuben and the Dark at Southminster United Church
April 7 Dave Chomiak’s ’80s weekend returned with tributes to Bon Jovi, Heart, The Police, ,a new local Iron Maiden Tribute, 664 the NEighbour of the Beast who will be playing New Year’s Eve at the Slice this year, Dokken Tribute ‘Breaking the Chains’ and Chomiak’s always popular Def Leppard Tribute Stage Fright and Scorpions aTribute the Zoo.
— lots of local country including Noeline Hofman, played the Slice with a hot backup band Trevor Christensen on guitar and vocals, pedal steel player Kevin Peters , drummer Brad Brouwer, bassist Kurt Ciesla and Megan Brown, adding fiddle and background vocals.
April 8 Playgoers of Lethbridge celebrated their 100th anniversary in style with a whole lot of shows. The one Act Play Festival on April 8 was a highlight of the year with contributions form Taber Players and more.
April 12 Kitty and the Rooster returned to the slice with new music and a sexy vibe with Sammy Volkov and Jack Garton for one of the strangest in the best way shows of the year.
April 15 Theatre Outré turned 10 this year. In addition to an exhibit at the Museum, they brought back a. lot of old favourites for Quaint, Quirky and Queer at the Owl Acoustic lounge
April 21 Calgary alternative rock band Free the Cynics returned to Lethbridge to play the Slice in support of their new album “Bloodlines.”
— It’s always fun for bands to show their influences as they play other bands. Bands as bands featured Cope as Me first and the Gimmie Gimmies and. female powered Ramones tribute.
April 22 James Gordon played an excellent night of stories and songs for the Lethbridge Folk Club
April 25, Geomatic Attic had an eclectic night of country and roots with Emily Triggs, Matt Patershuk and Carter Felker..
April 28 Australian born Chicago based blues musician Michael Charles played a marathon set of blues music at the Slice.
May
Karen Romanchuk released her new CD “ Is it Just Me”
Missed the return of the Dayglo Abortions
May 2 The Stampeders returned to Lethbridge, but I missed the show.
Kimberley MacGregor played the first of 2 Lethbridge shows at the Owl with Makiisma adding extra fiddle
May 11 Winnipeg base jazz band Apollo Suns played their first Lethbridge show of the year. Makiisma opened, but I missed her set.
Casa turned 10 with Oscar Lopez , who played the opening concert 10 years ago
May 16 Rising local country star Brayden King fresh off competing at American Idol kicked off his Bad Night to be A Beer tour tour at the Slice with Beamer Wigley.
May 18 One of my favourite Winnipegers Romi Mayes made a long awaited return to the Slice, to perform her Lucinda Williams tribute. As happened a lot more than it should this year, she didn’t get as many people as she deserved .
May 24 Calgary punk rockers Citizen Rage returned to the Slice ins support of their first full length CD “Harsh Reality” with No More Moments.
May 26 Edmonton’s The Denim Daddies got the owl hopping with country rock and southern rock
— Jesse Northey returned home for a few shows. he opened for matt Epp at the Owl
— The Chevelles held “court” at the Place pretty much every month to raise money for local sports teams. Lethbridge Amateur Wrestling was the benefactor of their May Fundraiser.
May 27 Scenic Route to Alaska played Slicefest— the Slice’s anniversary weekend which featured Like Bears, Hell Diablo and the Hockey Moms .
May 31 Calgary Western Swing band the Red Hot Hayseed got things swinging at the Owl a few times this year including, May 31.
June
June 2 Nix Dicksons Taber born frontman Tanner Holthe returned home to play Theoretically Brewing’s patio
—BA Johnston played a couple of times this year at the Owl. I caught another hilarious set, June 2 . Decadent Phase opened. He always has a full house on a Tuesday, but got a Friday nig
ht this time.
— Tyrants of Chaos had a CD release party for their new CD “Relentless Thirst for Power” at the Slice.
— Starpainter officially released their sophomore CD “ Rattlesnake Dreams” .
June 3 Lethbridge has a bountiful crop of songwriters and we got to see a lot of them at the South Country Fair Songwriting Challenge at the Owl and the Slice.
June 9 Lots was going on in Festival Square this summer . The Decadent Phase opened the summer but their set got cut short by a deluge of rain.
June 10 I missed a lot of the Geomatic Attics sizzling season, but was pleased to catch BMW aka Tim Williams, Big Dave McLean and Kevin Belzner.
June 16 Suit Jacket Society opening for Motley Cruë tribute at the Place
— Okanagen duo Moving Lines brought their own style of ’80s style metal and hard rock to the Slice
June 16 and 17 Pops Pub celebrated 15 years with live music including Train Wreck and Bridgette Yarwood.
June 17 Kevin Peters playing country at the Owl pretty much monthly
— Berserker playied a lot this year this time with Geoff at the Slice playing detuned stoner rock
June 20 Artificial Dissemination played my favourite punk show of the year at the Slice with Mombod and Bob Scallywag.
June 21 Local Jazz trio HBO 3 played a lot, usually at the Watertower Grill, but played the Owl with duelling saxophonists Michael Carter and Ryan Heseltine
June 24 Vancouver band Brass Camel rocked ’70s style at Owl, June 24. They were my favourite new discovery this year.
— Rotary Dragon Boat Festival returned with lots of live music including Eric Braun, Steel Cut and Horizon and Coyote Junction, the last two who I haven’t seen for a while.
June 26 Lunch At Allens returned to the Yates Theatre. I caught a sold out show of intimate hits and humour from Ian Thomas, Cindy Church, Murray McLachlan and Marc Jordan .
July
Lethbridge Shakespeare Performance Society set Taming of the Shrew in the ’60s for the summer
July 1 Canada Day Henderson Lake Horizon Canada Day lots of local talent including Karen Lewis and Pam and a preview of Hootenanny.
July 6 Yarboro at Upside Downtown, July 6, Dave McCann .
July 8 The Slice had plenty of punk bands playing this year inclding the River Jacks’ Spencer Jo’s birthday party with opener Danica Sommer
— Paganfest at Galt Gardens Rebecca Johnston and Jolene Draper , Rainbow Patrol among others performing.
July 11 Bend Sinister returned to the Owl with new singles, Hot City and Price You Pay Tuesday, July 11 lots of piano powered energy.
July 15 Dave Chomiak’s ’ 80s metal tribute concerts took off , usually at the Place, July 15 with Van Halen Tribute Runnin With the Devil featuring Dave Chomiak doing his best David Lee Roth and the return of Scorpions Tribute the Zoo.
July 19 Come Together Festival at Fort Whoop Up featured lots of First Nations talent and local favourites Starpainter who released their second CD this year Starpainter who released a new CD “Rattlesnake Dreams ” this year.
July 20 Cody Hall Band played Upside Downtown0 with local surf rock band the Atomicos who released a new CD “Fins Up” this year as well
July 25 Last South Country Fair. I only caught a scorching Sunday with Torchettes, Atomicos , Ellen Froese and Toronto’s Doghouse Orchestra, who played a bonus show of New Orleans style jazz at the Owl , July 25.
— Honker’s popular summer Parking lot party features Steve Keenan and Luke James Bruce and many others Like the JDS. The event raised over $600 for Kidsport Lethbridge/ Taber.
July 27 Vancovuer rockabilly/ rock and roll trio Cousin Harley rocked Upside Downtown
July 29 Pure Casino had a parking lot party with Lady Grime and Prairie Scum, July 29.. Jacqueline Kennelly was playing with everybody from rising country star Cody Hall to her own metal group Revanchist who released a new album on Christmas Day. and with Richard Charlton who is also part of Lady Grime. Missed Suit Jacket Society and Yarboro, formerly Biloxi Parish who also played a lot this year.
August
The highlights of August and September for me were a couple of road trips including going to Edmonton Blues Fest to see Samantha Fish and Jesse Dayton and Gordie Johnson playing with MonkeyJunk, Aug. 27.
Aug. 1 Tanika Charles brought soul to Wide Skies Aug. 1 Missed Witch Prophet
Aug. 2 Garden party at in Galt Gardens were a mainstay of the summer featuring lots of local First nations talent including Willy Big Bull.
Aug. 3 The Geomatic Attic’s three day Wide Skies Music Festival on top of the downtown parking garage was outstanding with Harpoonist Shawn Hall from Harpoonist and the Axe Murderer and Big Sugar’s Gordie Johnson were a highlight , Friday Aug. 3 Gordie was playing bass pedals and held down the rhythm by playing Moog bass pedals and locked in with drummer Jonas Shandel and keyboardist Geoff Hilhorst. Jolene Draper got up to sing with opening act Shawnee Kish.
Aug. 5 Spectrum Aleworks turned 4 with live music including Skinny Dyck, Aug. 5.
—Amy Nelson also returned with a full band including most of her partner Carter Felker’s band at Owl.
Aug 10 John Wort Hannam at Upside Downtown. Aug 10.
Aug 12 Papa King getting ready for new album, played Owl , Friday Aug. 12.
— Pop music with Wafflehouse at Slice, Aug. 12
Aug. 13 There were a couple Sunday matinee punk shows at Slice. I caught Like Wolf and the Golers, Sunday, Aug. 13
— Elliott Brood made a long awaited return to Owl, on Sunday, Aug. 13.
Aug. 16 Bridgette Yarwood debuts new band and new original music.
Aug. 24 Whoop Up Days was free this year with lots of local music including Shaela Miller playing her new ’80s pop inspired music in the middle of the fairgrounds , Aug. 24 and local punk band Tube Dog to name a few
Didn’t make it to Taber cornfest
Aug. 26 Lots of experimental rock this year. Calgary’s Buns rocked the Slice, Aug. 26.
Aug. 31 Hippodrome close Upside Downtown outside casa Aug 31.
Rotary Ribfest at Enmax Centre featured local music including Saints and Sinners.
September
Sept. 2 Danica Sommer opening for Richard Inman, Sept. 2
Sept. 3 Theoretically brewing was doing lots of outdoor shows including all ages punk gig , Sept. 3 with A Trozzo Electric and Vancouver’ Dead Soft.
CKXU FUNdrive
Adequate playing a lot this year.
Sept.8 Oktoberfest a month early on Festival Square Sept. 8 with Alpen Schatz.
— Kimberley macGregor returns to Owl to host open mic with broken leg and Elliot Thomas
Arts Days Cabaret winds up busy summer outside casa with Peace Not Bombs and Decadent Phase playing in the rain, Sept. 22.
—Lots of punk this year. I missed Brutal Youth at the Slice but caught Upside Down Man and the Moröns at the Owl Sept 8. Playing ’90s style punk along lines of Sum 41.
Sept. 16 TIm Isberg played a great show at Lethbridge Folk Lethbridge College Cave, Saturday, Sept. 16.
—Lots of outdoor shows Couleefest at College, Sept. 16, Block party in Festival Square
Sept. 22 The Duke having live music including Luke James Bruce, Sept. 22
Fawns playing a lot.
Sept. 23 Gh
ostkeeper returns for a close to sold out show at Slice with new ’90s country sound, Sept. 23.
—Word on Street Sept. 23 featuring Local talent the band formerly known as Karen Lewis and Pam and others drowning out Tara McLean’s set and book reading in one of the tents.
— Punk/ power pop with Self Cut Bangs at Owl featuring members of Night Committee, Dark Time, Hot Little Rocket and Napalmpom.
Sept. 27 Lots of Jazz this year. Apollo Suns returned to kick off second tour of the year in Lethbridge at Slice on Sept. 27.
Sept. 29 Lots of metal at Slice in September Fall of Earth, Sept.29, Hooker Spit and more
50s music Rebel Angels played a few times of year.
October
Oct. 6 Saskatchewan punk/ garage rock band Green Wing played another great show at Owl , Friday, Oct., 6 with anacoustic Alec Arms.
Oct. 7 Geomatic Attic had lots of September shows including Altameda, who I missed Oct. 7.
Oct. 18 Folk Club Charlie Ewing, another low turnout show.
Female chorus Southern Accord Chorus celebrates 25th year singing together
Oct. 20 Ty Vandendool returns to Slice, Oct. 20.
— Richard Inman playing a lot including at Owl Oct. 20 with new CD Life Without Your Love
TJ Waltho playing keyboards with everyone.
Oct. 27 Cope back with new CD at Owl, Oct. 27.
Ag Business Centre in the news GLOW .
Oct. 28 Punk Broken Yolks Slice, Saturday Oct. 18.
Oct. 31 great new discovery Brass Camel celebrated ’70s hard rock playing second show of year — a sold out show at the SLice for Halloween and Calgary's Static Shift .
November
Nov. 15 Alt Country Christopher Sleigtholm from Snake River has new like Sadies inspired band at Slice
Nov. 16 A new band Lunch Date from Blowers and Grafton helping Rotary at Honkers, Thursday Nov. 16
Bigger names at Enmax Jess Moskaluke, Terri Clark in November
—Devon Brayne brings Johnny Cash back to Enmax for Folsom Prison Revisited though I missed it, Nov. 16.
There were Lots of plays in November including hatrix Theatre’s Toxic Avenger the Musical, Playgoers 100th anniversary Snow Queen and Fran Rude’s last show Secret Garden
Nov. 18 Lots of roots/ country music.
Fourth Place Ribbons Chris Drews new band Kevin Peters on lead guitar, bassist Kieren Swinney and TJ Waltho on Keyboards with Shyloh Haberman.
— Excellent Folk Club Shows Misery Mountain Boys Western Swing, Nov 18 competing with Teri Clark
Nov. 22 Toronto born, Austin, Texas based jazz drummer Graeme Francis played The Owl Acoustic loungewith great local talent Kurt Ciesla and saxophonist Michael Carter.
Nov. 25 Brentapalooza at t Slice Nov. 25 featured a lot of old friends and local favourites Shaela Miller, Tyler Bird Rapping, Little Jon, Jolene Draper and lots more.
December
Missed some key shows in December because of family and illness.
Dec. 16 Caught Steve Hill, Dec. 16 at Slice, Missed Shred Kelly
lots of great local jazz continued at the end of the year including. Midnight Channel releasing their debut CD at The Owl Acoustic lounge.
New West Theatre wound up the year with Elf: The musical a new holiday treat which was a co production with the Enmax Centre.
A lot of old favourites wound up 2023. including Richard Inman, Kevin Peters to name just a few.
Adequate will rock in the New Year at the Owl Acoustic Lounge. Uncovered returns to rock pops Pub South for New year]s Eve, Plaid Ramblers are at the Place and a lot more local talent are performing to wind up 2023.
May The Best thing that happend to you last year be the worst thing that happens to you in the next,
— By Richard Amery, L.A. Beat Editor
