Home Blog Page 1225

Two Door Cinema Club Announce Biggest U.S. Tour Of Their Career

0

Today, Two Door Cinema Club have announced their biggest string of U.S. tour dates yet, kicking off in Atlanta on July 13th and finishing up on October 3rd in Nashville. Meanwhile, the band continue to take the U.S. by storm, playing across Chicago, Portland, Houston and more from now until May 30th.

Two Door Cinema Club mix guitar-driven post-punk hooks with dancey, electronic polish. They first gained attention with their 2010 debut album Tourist History and singles ‘Something Good Can Work’ and ‘Undercover Martyn’. The band have continued to evolve, peaking at #2 in the UK’s official Albums Chart with 2012’s Beacon, and experimenting with Giorgio Moroder-esque disco and synth pop on 2016’s Gameshow. The album also hit the UK Top 10 and paved the way for 2019’s new wave-inspired False Alarm and 2022’s Keep On Smiling.

Hailing from Bangor and Donaghadee, Northern Ireland, Two Door Cinema Club comprises lead vocalist, guitarist and programmer Alex Trimble, guitarist and vocalist Sam Halliday, and bassist and vocalist Kevin Baird. The trio began playing as Two Door Cinema Club in 2007 and continue to stand the test of time in 2024 and beyond.

With a back catalogue of five hugely successful records, sold out shows and headline festival slots across the globe, the band returned last year in 2023 with new single ‘Sure Enough’, alongside brand new U.S tour dates and additional UK arena dates in Hull, Doncaster and Liverpool. This year sees the band return to the Main Stage at Reading and Leeds Festival for a seventh time since their debut set on the NME/Radio 1 tent back in 2010.

Two Door Cinema Club | 2024 Tour Dates:
2024 US tour dates (already announced)
With support from *Joywave and **Day Wave
March 4 – Majestic Theatre – Detroit, MI*
March 5 – KEMBA Live! – Columbus, OH*
March 7 – Riviera Theatre – Chicago, IL*
March 8 – First Avenue – Minneapolis, MN*
May 17 – Cal Coast Credit Union Open Air Theatre – San Diego, CA**
May 18 – Just Like Heaven Festival – Pasadena, CA
May 19 – Fox Theater – Oakland, CA**
May 21 – Crystal Ballroom – Portland, OR**
May 22 – Paramount Theatre – Seattle, WA**
May 24 – The Union – Salt Lake City, UT**
May 25 – The Mission Ballroom – Denver, CO**
May 27 – Cain’s Ballroom – Tulsa, OK**
May 28 – Southside Ballroom – Dallas, TX**
May 29 – White Oak Music Hall – Houston, TX**
May 30 – Stubb’s Waller Creek Amphitheater – Austin, TX**

2024 US tour dates (NEW)
With support from *flipturn and **Petey and ***Quarters of Change
July 13 – Coca-Cola Roxy – Atlanta, GA*
July 16 – FPL Solar Amphitheater at Bayfront Park – Miami, FL*
July 17 – Daily’s Place – Jacksonville, FL*
July 19 – Rabbit Rabbit – Asheville, NC*
July 20 – Red Hat Amphitheater – Raleigh, NC*
July 23 – The Rooftop at Pier 17 – New York, NY*
July 26 – Stone Pony Summer Stage – Asbury Park, NJ*
July 27 – Pier Six Pavilion – Baltimore, MD*
July 28 – Leader Bank Pavilion – Boston, MA*
July 29 – Artpark Amphitheater – Lewiston, NY*
July 31 – Coca-Cola Coliseum – Toronto, ON*
September 13 – The Orpheum – Vancouver, BC**
September 14 – WAMU Theater – Seattle, WA**
September 15 – Hayden Homes Amphitheater – Bend, OR**
September 17 – The Masonic – San Francisco, CA**
September 21 – Gallagher Square at Petco Park – San Diego, CA**
September 24 – Arizona Financial Theatre – Phoenix, AZ**
September 25 – The Plaza Theatre Performing Arts Center – El Paso, TX**
September 26 – Moody Amphitheater at Waterloo Park – Austin, TX**
September 28 – Starlight Theatre – Kansas City, MO**
September 29 – The Fillmore Minneapolis presented by Affinity Plus – Minneapolis, MN**
October 1 – The Sylvee – Madison, WI**
October 2 – Everwise Amphitheater at White River State Park – Indianapolis, IN***
October 3 – Marathon Music Works – Nashville, TN***

2024 UK tour dates & festivals
June 22 – Fairview Park – Dublin, Ireland
August 15 – CHSQ – Belfast, Ireland
August 16 – Galway Summer Sessions – Carnmore East, Ireland
August 22-25 – Reading Festival – Reading, United Kingdom
August 22-25 – Leeds Festival – Leeds, United Kingdom

Donny Osmond To Bring His Award Winning Las Vegas Show To Select U.S. Cities This Summer

0

Legendary entertainer and music icon Donny Osmond has announced that he will bring his award-winning Las Vegas production to select US cities beginning June 7, 2024, in Milwaukee, WI and ending August 17, 2024 in San Jose, CA with stops in cities such as New York, Chicago, Nashville, Boston and Atlanta. Tickets go on sale in most markets Friday, March 8, via www.donny.com. Osmond has partnered with City of Hope so that $1 from each ticket sale will go directly to City of Hope to support their fight against cancer, diabetes, and other serious illnesses.

Throughout an illustrious six decades long career, Donny Osmond has earned 33 gold records: selling over 100 million albums becoming a worldwide music legend. He has made history by celebrating 6 decades in show business with the release of his latest album “Start Again” a milestone 65th album for the performer. The album was directly inspired by Donny’s own unique career journey of constant reinvention over the course of his six decades as a globally recognized performer.

Chosen by the public as winner of Best Show, Best Performer, Best Resident Headliner and Best Production in the Best of Las Vegas honors from The Las Vegas Review Journal, Donny’s show is an exciting, energy-filled musical journey of his unparalleled life as one of the most recognized entertainers in the world. The audience experiences a 90-minute spectacle as he performs his timeless hits, shares stories of his greatest show-stopping memories and introduces brand new music in a new and completely reimagined song and dance celebration. Fans are treated to a full Broadway style production of his classic Disney hit from Mulan, “I’ll Make A Man Out Of You.” The show also includes an interactive segment where anyone in the audience can request any song he’s ever recorded.

Fans can gain first access to the artist presales in most markets beginning Wednesday, March 6th at 9 am local time until Thursday, March 7th at 10 pm local time. Additional pre-sales will run throughout the week ahead of the general on sale in most markets beginning Friday, March 8th at 10 am local time. VIP packages are also available giving fans the chance to purchase premium tickets, including pre-show parties and meet and greet opportunities.

For up-to-date information and to purchase tickets, please visit www.Donny.com

Friday, June 7, 2024 Milwaukee, WI The Riverside Theater
Saturday, June 8, 2024 Appleton, WI Fox Cities PAC
Sunday, June 9, 2024 Minneapolis, MN Orpheum Theatre
Tuesday, June 11, 2024 Kansas City, MO Muriel Kauffman Theatre
Wednesday, June 12, 2024 Indianapolis, IN Murat Theatre at Old National Centre
Friday, June 14, 2024 Chicago, IL The Chicago Theatre
Saturday, June 15, 2024 Rochester Hills, MI Meadow Brook Amphitheatre
Sunday, June 16, 2024 Grand Rapids, MI DeVos Performance Hall
Tuesday, June 18, 2024 Wheeling, WV The Capitol Theatre
Wednesday, June 19, 2024 Shipshewana, IN Blue Gate Performing Arts Center
Friday, June 21, 2024 Toledo, OH Stranahan Theater and Great Hall
Saturday, June 22, 2024 Columbus, OH Mershon Auditorium
Sunday, June 23, 2024 Louisville, KY Louisville Palace Theatre
Tuesday, June 25, 2024 Atlanta, GA Cobb Energy Performing Arts Centre
Wednesday, June 26, 2024 Cincinnati, OH The Andrew J Brady Music Center
Friday, June 28, 2024 Baltimore, MD The Lyric
Saturday, June 29, 2024 Mashantucket, CT Premier Theater at Foxwoods Resort Casino
Sunday, June 30, 2024 Boston, MA Boch Center Wang Theatre
Tuesday, July 2, 2024 Hershey, PA Hershey Theatre
Wednesday, July 3, 2024 Albany, NY The Palace Theatre Albany
Friday, July 5, 2024 Rama, ON Casino Rama Entertainment Centre
Saturday, July 6, 2024 Akron, OH Akron Civic Theatre
Sunday, July 7, 2024 Atlantic City, NJ Hard Rock Live at Etess Arena
Tuesday, July 9, 2024 Charlotte, NC Ovens Auditorium
Thursday, July 11, 2024 Bethlehem, PA The Wind Creek Event Center
Friday, July 12, 2024 New York, NY Beacon Theatre
Saturday, July 13, 2024 Niagara Falls, NY Seneca Niagara Resort & Casino Event Center
Wednesday, July 24, 2024 Hollywood, FL Hard Rock Live at Seminole Hard Rock Hotel & Casino Hollywood
Thursday, July 25, 2024 Tampa, FL Seminole Hard Rock Tampa Event Center
Friday, July 26, 2024 Melbourne, FL Maxwell C. King Center for the Performing Arts
Saturday, July 27, 2024 Jacksonville, FL Florida Theatre
Monday, July 29, 2024 Nashville, TN Ryman Auditorium
Tuesday, July 30, 2024 Little Rock, AR Robinson Center
Thursday, August 1, 2024 San Antonio, TX Tobin Center for the Performing Arts
Friday, August 2, 2024 Dallas, TX Music Hall at Fair Park
Saturday, August 3, 2024 Tulsa, OK Tulsa Theater
Monday, August 5, 2024 Denver, CO Paramount Theatre
Tuesday, August 6, 2024 Colorado Springs, CO Pikes Peak Center
Thursday, August 8, 2024 Boise, ID Idaho Central Arena
Friday, August 9, 2024 Ridgefield, WA Ilani Casino
Saturday, August 10, 2024 Seattle, WA The Paramount
Sunday, August 11, 2024 Airway Heights, WA BECU Live
Tuesday, August 13, 2024 Idaho Falls, ID Hero Arena at the Mountain America Center
Thursday, August 15, 2024 Wheatland, CA Hard Rock Live Sacramento
Friday, August 16, 2024 Modesto, CA Gallo Center for the Arts
Saturday, August 17, 2024 San Jose, CA San Jose Civic

Watch Ann-Margret Blow The Audience Away On ‘The Tonight Show’ In 1975

0

Ann-Margret’s rendition of “I’ve Got the Music In Me” on The Tonight Show in 1975 stands as a mesmerizing testament to her immense talent and captivating stage presence. Taking the stage at the 8:30 mark, Ann-Margret effortlessly commands attention with her dynamic vocals and electrifying performance style. With each note, she infuses the song with a contagious energy that radiates throughout the audience, leaving a lasting impression. Ann-Margret’s interpretation of the song, popularized by Kiki Dee in 1974, showcases her ability to make a familiar tune entirely her own, solidifying her status as a true icon of music and entertainment.

SiriusXM Launches Multi-Platform National Brand Campaign “Closer”

0

Today, SiriusXM unveiled a new, national multi-platform brand campaign, showcasing how SiriusXM brings listeners closer to what moves them. Developed in collaboration with agency of record, Uncommon Creative Studio, the national campaign follows the unveiling of SiriusXM’s brand refresh in late 2023, and is a continuation of SiriusXM’s work to welcome in new audiences while super-serving its listeners.

“At SiriusXM we are passionate about audio. Our ‘Closer’ campaign features powerful, emotive and iconic creative showcasing the role that SiriusXM plays in people’s lives and is a celebration of the power of audio,” said Suzi Watford, Chief Growth Officer at SiriusXM. “As we look to connect with the next generation of SiriusXM listeners, we’re focused on telling stories of how we bring listeners and fans closer to what moves them. We’re extremely proud of how that message comes through in this campaign, and how we are able to reflect the stories we hear from listeners and their passion for what we do.”

To kick off the campaign, SiriusXM unveiled “A Life in Sound,” a new short film directed by Emmy award-winning director Kim Gehrig, on SiriusXM social channels, a cut of which will air on national television in the US during the 2024 Oscars. The piece follows a woman dancing as she moves through different phases and milestones of her life while listening to a wide variety of songs and interviews that each have a unique place on SiriusXM, emphasizing the breadth and depth of audio experiences available on the audio entertainment service. By showcasing a life in sound, the creative highlights how SiriusXM brings listeners closer to what they love and what moves them throughout their lives.

“‘A Life in Sound’ celebrates the real, universal, and uniquely human experience of being moved by the audio you love. One film. One woman. Dancing through the different chapters of her life. It is the truth of the SiriusXM experience captured in film,” said Nils Leonard, Co-founder at Uncommon Creative Studio. “And as a creative studio, we were honored to have the opportunity to capture and share that magic.”

The Company’s vibrant out-of-home (OOH) campaign spotlights three growing genres across the SiriusXM portfolio—hip-hop, country, and sports. The scenes capture the passion and power of these fandoms and how SiriusXM invites listeners into these communities. Crowds surround a listener in each genre, who is unphased by the madness unfolding around them, as they tune in to their favorite channel on SiriusXM. Shot by renowned photographer and filmmaker Gabriel Moses, the campaign also features SiriusXM subscribers and super-fans of these genres across static and motion OOH on digital and in New York, Los Angeles, Nashville, Boston, and Atlanta, as well as in digital-first behind-the-scenes content and interviews with SiriusXM hosts.

“Closer” follows the success of several early works by SiriusXM – including the Guest DJs and showstopping “Metal Sweater” campaigns as well as the rollout of SiriusXM’s refreshed brand identity and new logo – all following the audio entertainment company’s launch of its next generation streaming app in December 2023. Each piece brings to life the Company’s brand platform and key differentiators, highlighting SiriusXM’s ability to take fans deeper into their passions and connect with audio’s top talent and rising stars. This is expected to continue throughout 2024 and beyond, with a new, audio-focused iteration of the “Closer” campaign launching in the coming weeks, highlighting the diverse slate of voices that fill SiriusXM’s airwaves each and every day.

SiriusXM Unveils “listen Next” Initiative

0

 SiriusXM today announced Listen Next, a new initiative designed to develop diverse audio talent and promote inclusivity in podcasting. Listen Next will pair the power of SiriusXM and first launch sponsor State Farm with leading, diverse-led production companies to help the next generation of creators break through the audio landscape and launch successful, sustainable podcasting careers. The program’s first season will launch with the first show, “Stars and Stars with Isa,” produced in collaboration with Futuro Studios, premiering March 19.

Listen Next will include a full year of distribution, marketing resources, production support from the specialists at SiriusXM’s Stitcher Studios, networking opportunities and guidance from talent and executives across the podcasting industry. Podcasters will retain full ownership rights to their work. In collaboration with the production studios behind the shows, Listen Next will amplify creators both in front of and behind the mic, and offer a megaphone to their stories.

”With Listen Next, we’re thrilled to accelerate the audio careers of the next generation of podcasting stars and contribute to a more inclusive audio industry,” said Kameel Stanley, Program Director, Stitcher Studios. “By collaborating directly with diverse-led production studios, we are able to make a greater impact in amplifying rising voices behind the mic. We’re thrilled to work with these studios and creators to bring Listen Next to life in 2024, and to welcome new talent into the SiriusXM family.”

By sponsoring the inaugural Listen Next season, State Farm is empowering the next generation of podcasters to focus on developing their shows and stretching their creativity at the very start of their podcasting journeys. In doing so, State Farm is making a direct contribution to the diversification of podcasting and the support of BIPOC creators at the earliest stage, before the shows even launch.

“As podcast listenership continues to grow and become more diverse, we are thrilled to play a small part in helping to develop and elevate new voices in the space,” said Mike Reid, Vice President of Revenue Partnerships at SiriusXM Media. “By bringing sponsors into the program, we can do even more to not only amplify these much-needed voices, and directly support them in launching their podcasting careers. We are thrilled to have State Farm joining us in investing not only in the next generation of great BIPOC creators, but also in our overall mission to amplify diverse voices and uplift future podcasting superstars.”

“Podcasts are increasing in popularity especially with younger generations, so it is imperative that new talent can showcase their perspectives and creative talents across the growing digital landscape,” said Brent Malik Bynum, Marketing Director at State Farm. “State Farm is excited to be collaborating with SiriusXM to lead the way for more diverse voices to connect with listeners worldwide.”

To learn more about the program, visit siriusxmmedia.com/listennext.

Edward Norton On The Time Pearl Jam’s Eddie Vedder Made Him Sing With Him And He Was Nervous…VERY Nervous

0

Edward Norton’s recount of the time Pearl Jam’s Eddie Vedder invited him to sing with him show a moment of raw vulnerability. Norton, known for his versatile acting prowess, found himself in an unfamiliar position, facing the daunting prospect of performing alongside one of rock’s most iconic voices.

My Next Read: “The Gospel of The Hold Steady: How a Resurrection Really Feels”

0

On January 22, 2003, four men stepped onto a stage in Brooklyn and did something no one else was doing at that time, in that place. They played rock ‘n’ roll: old-fashioned rock ‘n’ roll with skyscraping riffs and sloppy solos, topped with extraordinary lyrics about an out-of-focus America, blurred by pills and powders, of crime and fear and desperation and redemption.

Twenty years later, The Hold Steady are one of America’s most beloved rock bands, famed for live shows that turn unbelievers into converts, and for a catalog filled with some of the most exciting yet poetic music of the twenty-first century. To mark those twenty years, The Hold Steady tell their full story in The Gospel of The Hold Steady: How a Resurrection Really Feels.

An oral history, based on interviews with everyone who has played in the band, and those who have worked with them over the course of their career, The Gospel of the Hold Steady addresses all the triumphs and setbacks of The Hold Steady’s career in the band’s own words—from high times to near deaths, from the brink of splitting to their current renaissance. The volume also includes over 200 photographs and images.

The Gospel of The Hold Steady is completed by essays about America’s greatest bar band by writers Rob Sheffield, Laura Barton, Isaac Fitzgerald, and Michael Hann, as well as the thoughts and memories of “The Unified Scene”—the fans who have helped define the band’s identity over the years. This is a book for everyone who loves The Hold Steady, and anyone who understands that the magic of rock ‘n’ roll happens on a stage in a small room, with voices raised from the crowd.

MTL Pachangón’s Resonance: From Kitchen Parties to Chart-Topping Beats With Tropical Punk, Cumbia, Ska, and Calypso

0

Thank goodness the neighbours spent the summer out of town! When the after-hours crowd that had just left one of Montreal DJ/producer “MTL Pachangón” club nights moved the party to his combined kitchen and living room, the walls shook with joyous singalongs, the celebration until sunrise by the sounds of beatmaking, rapping and various noises made with household utensils.

Now, almost seven years later, comes proof it was all worth it. Oonga & Chellz – Dame Espacio feat. Ultra K, the debut single from Oonga’s MTL Sauce Piquante project, reconstitutes those late-night bursts of creativity into a spicy mix of tropical punk, cumbia, ska, calypso, dancefloor grooves and just about anything else that can be caught and thrown in a pot.

“Dame Espacio” means “give me space,” and the jubilant track is both a boisterous demand for elbow room and a nostalgic celebration of the geographic “spaces” its featured artists left to make their home in Montreal. Over the insistent beats Oonga lays down, Salvadoran MC Chellz, Mexican psychedelic rocker Ultra K and backup vocalist KC paint a picture of “un lugar que is sin igual” (“a place that is without equal”), full of “cerros altos” (“high hills”) “vastos lagos” (“vast lakes”) and “padres con muy pocos pagos, haciendo milagros” (“parents with very little pay, making miracles”). “Fais moi de la place/ Dame espacio” goes the bridge refrain, underlining the title theme in two languages. All the while, Javier Maldonado’s skanking guitar and Ons Barnat’s dubbed-out bass throb with their own muscular enthusiasm and overseen by mixer Ivan Duran.

While this particular track is credited to “Oonga and Chellz,” its larger mission is to introduce MTL Sauce Piquante, a collaborative project and new label made up of “award-winning artists, award-nominated artists, participation-trophy winners, fry cooks, bartenders, upcoming talent, well-established talent, and talent that is still not sure if they have any talent or not.” That’s an admirably self-effacing way to describe some of the finest musicians from Montreal’s vibrant global roots, jazz and Latin scenes. The fruits of their labors arrive in spring 2024, with the release of the Oonga-led initiative’s first full-length album, Cracher le feu (aka Spitting Fire, aka Fuego en la Garganta). And don’t worry we’ll be getting a bunch of leftovers: While the fundamentals of jams like “Dame Espacio feat. Ultra K” were hashed out in those long-ago after-hours sessions by a cadre of guitarists, horn players, keyboardists, bassists, rappers, singers and poets, the music was then “debated, torn apart and put back together again” over the span of months and even years (and a lot of bottles of El Yucateco; yes, working from home has its perks).

“It’s the new roaring ’20s, and we need our own demented cabaret music,” Oonga’s crew says. “As things fall apart and life gets heavier, sometimes you really need the music to pick you up!”

Maybe we should all just pretend we live next door and come in through the back door.

Canadian Powerhouses Lou Pomanti and Robyn Black Unleash Infectious Vibes with Soulful Collaboration “Shake About It”

0

Get ready to shake it like never before with Lou Pomanti and Robyn Black as they release their newest soulful single, “Shake About It.” This dynamic collaboration between Lou, one of Canada’s most accomplished producers, composers, musicians, and musical directors, and Robyn, Canada’s vocal treasure, is not just music – it’s a mood-lifting invitation to throw caution to the wind and let go of all your worries.

With its infectious groove and upbeat tempo, “Shake About It” is the ultimate anthem for shaking off the stresses of the day and embracing the present moment. As two of Canada’s most dynamic musical talents, Lou and Robyn bring their own unique flair to their new single, drawing from their diverse backgrounds and experiences. This collaboration represents a true amalgamation of talent as they infuse the song with a blend of funk, soul, and pure fun.

Robyn Black has ascended into the spotlight with “Butterfly,” a meticulously crafted album embodying a musical journey through narratives of resilience, love, introspection, and fervor for life, released in October 2023. After two decades of shaping melodies from the shadows, Robyn, with the release of her long-anticipated album, has made a resolute entrance into the domain of established solo artists. Developed in conjunction with her unyielding ally in Lou as the producer, the album encompasses eleven tracks, presenting eight original compositions and three ingeniously envisioned covers, thereby testifying to Robyn’s evolution from a seasoned session vocalist to a consummate recording artist.

This album goes beyond displaying Robyn’s stunning vocal capacity and emotional expanse; it epitomizes her metamorphosis into an artist daring to unveil her soul, sharing the myriad experiences that have molded her path. Alongside Lou, a steadfast believer in her limitless talent, Robyn has not merely evolved but also crafted an auditory embrace, both a testament to her artistic maturation and an invitation to bear witness to the splendor birthed when unwavering resolve converges with raw, unrestrained talent.

Robyn has shared the stages with celebrated bands such as the Backstreet Boys and lending her vocals for demos, background vocals, and voiceovers for various global projects. She has joined forces with industry titans like Chin Injeti and Justin Gray, lending her vocals and songwriting prowess to artists and shows globally, including for Japanese artist Crystal Kay and American artist Sarah Haze, while also providing memorable performances for brands like Folgers and Bell Canada.

Canadian Screen Awards (Gemini) winner Lou Pomanti is one of Canada’s most accomplished producers, composers, musicians, and musical directors. Lou’s original music and performances are featured on soundtracks and recordings from some of Canada’s biggest stars, and he has contributed playing, arrangements and productions to several Grammy winning albums. In 1980 Lou received a call from David Clayton-Thomas to join the seminal jazz rock group Blood, Sweat and Tears and toured the world. It began a decades-long association including the role as producer on DCT’s “Soul Ballads” album for Universal Records. 1983 saw the beginning of Lou’s session career as the first call pianist/synthesist in Toronto. His playing and arranging has enhanced the recordings of Michael Bublé, Gordon Lightfoot, and Anne Murray, as well as rockers Kim Mitchell and Triumph.

Lou received a Gemini award for arranging and conducting “Both Sides Now” for Joni Mitchell’s induction to the Canadian Songwriters Hall of Fame. Lou arranged the orchestra for Michael Bublé’s smash hit “Haven’t Met You Yet”, which has sold over 7 million copies worldwide. He has 8 arrangements in total on Michael Bublé records. He has contributed to and/or produced recent albums by Marc Jordan, The Tenors, Matt Dusk, David Clayton-Thomas, June Garber, John Finley, Barbra Lica and many more.

Tom Wilson Takes His Story To The Stage With ‘Beautiful Scars’ Musical At Hamilton’s Theatre Aquarius

0

Tom Wilson’s identity crisis began in earnest at the age of 4, when his mother looked him square in the eye and told him “There are secrets I know about you that I’ll take to my grave.” What she meant, and how he finally figured it out, is a topic the Canadian writer-musician explored to stunning effect in his best-selling 2017 novel, Beautiful Scars: Steeltown Secrets, Mohawk Skywalkers and the Road Home, and a 2022 documentary film of the same name. Now his gripping story is coming to the stage as a world-premiere musical created by Wilson and Shaun Smyth, under the direction of Mary Francis Moore.

Playing April 24 to May 11, 2024, at Theatre Aquarius in Hamilton, Ontario, the production brings together some of Canada’s most celebrated actors and musicians, with a powerfully evocative score by Wilson, a multi-award-winning musician/storyteller with decades of achievements as a writer, player and performer. It’s a tale of loss, love and forgiveness that will have you spellbound from the first note to the last.

And it’s all possible simply because a very young Wilson wanted to know why he didn’t look like anyone else in his family, and why he had a mother who appeared so much older than his friends’. His long and painful journey toward the truth took him from the blue-collar “Steeltown” of East Hamilton Mountain and up the St. Lawrence River to Kahnaw’a:ke Mohawk territory, where a generations-old secret lay waiting to be discovered.

The new musical has Sheldon Elter playing the part of the adult Tom, with Thompson Wilson as his younger self. Also in the cast are Kristi Hansen as his mother, Bunny; Brandon McGibbon as his father; George, Valerie Planche as Janie; and Jeremy Proulx as Bear.

The live band is made up of Phil Davis, Gary Craig and Dave Gray. Rounding out the creative team are music director Bob Foster, set designer Jay Havens, costume designer Yolanda Skelton, lighting designer Kevin Fraser, sound designer Ranil Sonnadara and choreographer Barbara Kaneratonni Diabo.

The show is the latest project for Wilson —the culmination of the widespread acclaim he’s earned not just for Beautiful Scars the book and film, but also for his stellar writing and performing work with musical outfits like Junkhouse, Blackie and the Rodeo Kings and the JUNO Award-winning Lee Harvey Osmond (in which he’s joined by Cowboy Junkies founder Michael Timmins). In addition, he’s an accomplished painter who’s had pieces hung in in the Art Gallery of Burlington and along John Street in Hamilton (as part of a commission by the Canadian Academy of Recording Arts and Sciences).

“I’m scared and scarred but I’ve survived,” Wilson writes in the book. With his compelling tale now about to take the leap into a vibrant three dimensions, it’s time to not just survive but thrive.

Tickets to Beautiful Scars the musical are $25 and up at www.theatreaquarius.org, or call the box office at (905) 522-7529.

Theatre Aquarius gratefully acknowledges support from its Season Sponsor, Donna Patterson, and the Title Sponsor for Beautiful Scars, The Slaight Family Foundation. The opening night partner on April 26 is Gowling WLG, and the community welcome party is hosted by Next Steps Planning with IPC Securities.

This event has been financially assisted by the Ontario Cultural Attractions Fund a program of the Government of Ontario through the Ministry of Tourism, Culture and Sport, administered by the Ontario Cultural Attractions Fund Corporation