Concert Reviews

Our Lady Peace & The Wonderful Future Tour

Published

2 years ago

February 26, 2023

Cleveland Ohio – House Of Blues

Cleveland welcomed Canadian rockers, Our Lady Peace into the House of Blues last night (Feb 8th, 2023) to a packed house. The Wonderful Future Tour incorporates some futuristic themes from Ray Kurzweil as the band used a large high-def screen on stage to welcome a few guests that couldn’t be there in person to speak or play along to a song. OLP’S lead singer and co-founder Raine Maida says. ” The Wonderful Future Theatrical Experience is poised to be the most inventive show we’ve ever attempted. Fans will feel more connected to the band, the music, and the characters involved with Spiritual Machines 1 & 2 than ever. We are finally able to introduce Ray Kurzweil, Molly, and other very special guests live in person. After not being able to tour for a while, we have committed to pushing the boundaries of what a live show is on this tour, but also appreciate there are OLP favorites that haven’t been heard live in a minute. We got you!”

Our Lady Peace indeed had the crowd pumped. They launched the set with “The Message” from their 2022 release of Spiritual Machines II and by the 4th song on the set everyone in the house was on their feet and signing along to “Superman’s Dead”, from Clumsy 97′. A few songs later the set was broken up by a talking piece on the screen by author, inventor, and futurist Ray Kurzweil. Other notable performances on screen with the band were from the original OLP guitarist Mike Turner as he played a recording of guitar for ‘All My Friends’ and Nadezhda Tolokonnikova of punk band Pussy Riot who did the backing vocals on ‘Stop Making Stupid People Famous’.

The band looked like it might have ended the show with the song “Clumsy” as the night wound down and the lights faded, and the band walked off the stage. However, the crowd needed just a little bit more of OLP and started to chant. “One more song”. “One more song”. Raine came out and let them know not only would they do one more song they would do 4 more! The encore set was killer, and it was the perfect ending for the night. I have always been a fan of this band, but have never caught them live. Our Lady Peace does not disappoint, and they have been going strong for 20 plus years!

The current band consists of Raine Maida, Duncan Coutts, Jason Pierce, and Steve Mazu. Our Lady Peace is one of Canada’s most successful bands having toured the world and sold over 5 million albums, won four JUNO Awards and 10 Much Music Video Awards. In 2020, OLP and their fans celebrated the 20th anniversary of their critically acclaimed Spiritual Machines, which is arguably one of the most influential Canadian alt-rock albums of the 2000s as it firmly re-established OLP as a dominant force in modern rock. 2021 continued the celebration of Spiritual Machines with the release of Spiritual Machines II produced by Dave Sitek (TV on the Radio) and featuring — once again — a collaboration with futurist/author Ray Kurzweil. The album is a return to form, both musically and lyrically, as OLP embraces their early guitar-driven, rhythmic roots and cryptic lyrics.

Raine Maida – lead vocals, acoustic guitar
Duncan Coutts – bass guitar, backing vocals.
Steve Mazur – guitar, backing vocals.
Jason Pierce – drums, percussion, backing vocals.

SETLIST:

MOLLY INTRO (SCREEN)
THE MESSAGE – SPIRITUAL MACHINES II 22″
ONE MAN ARMY – HAPPINESS.. 99′
IN REPAIR – SPIRITUAL MACHINES 00′
SUPERMANS DEAD – CLUMSY 97′
LIFE – SPIRITUAL MACHINES 00′
INNOCENT – GRAVITY 02′
(RAY DIALOGUE)
TOMORROW NEVER KNOWS – THE CRAFT 96′
POTATO GIRL – HAPPINESS.. 99′
ANGELS LOSING SLEEP – HEALTHY IN PARANOID TIMES 05′
DROP ME IN THE WATER – SOMETHINGNESS 18′
IS ANYBODY HOME? – HAPPINESS.. 99′
NEUROSIS – A SPIRITUAL MACHINES B SIDE (GIVEN TOO THE CROWD VIA A QR CODE)
STOP MAKING STUPID PEOPLE FAMOUS – SPIRITUAL MACHINES 22′ (PUSSY RIOT NADIA)
WISH YOU WELL – SPIRITUAL MACHINES II 22′
CLUMSY – CLUMSY 97′

–ENCORE–
ALL MY FRIENDS – SPIRITUAL MACHINES 00′
HOLES – SPIRITUAL MACHINES II 22′
4AM – CLUMSY 97′
STARSEED – NAVEED 94′

Links:
Spotify: https://open.spotify.com/artist/1lqW59DUEKqvcHc8mVWBtH

iTunes: https://music.apple.com/ca/artist/our-lady-peace/475472

Website: https://www.ourladypeace.co m/

About Author

Jason Sealand

Jason is one of the newest talents that has joined forces with Empire Extreme. Not only is he a skillful photographer and journalist, he is owner and founder of Mad Viking Beard and Mustache Company and Brewtality Coffee Co. www.madvikingbeard.com

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Concert Reviews

MARTY FRIEDMAN LIVE DRAMA TOUR 2025: RAMSHEAD ON THE STAGE

Published

2 weeks ago

February 10, 2025

Ron

Marty Friedman is on tour right now with his Live Drama 2025 and he brought Patrick Kennison and Nikki Stringfield on tour with them.

Nikki and Patrick opened up the show with an amazing acoustic set, I’ve got to see both of them many times with their other bands but this was the first time seeing them perform together and it was magical. I loved the way they not only complemented each other vocally with harmonies and more but just the feeling of love on the stage as well. We got to hear some great songs like “Where Demons Lie” and “Numbered” which is about addiction issues and dedicated to Layne Staley. We also got to hear an Iron Maiden cover “Aces High”.

Marty and his band came out on stage and if you’re into high energy and some mind blowing shreds, this is a tour for you. I love that Marty’s band is backed by some amazing Japanese musicians and probably one of my favorite drummers Chargeee, (he’s Insane while playing the drums: he’s like the live action version of Animal from the muppets)

I loved that Marty is from the area and was talking to his band mates about it and the laurel area. There was one time when Marty’s guitar player Naoki played the lead that Marty was supposed to play then they had an argument all in Japanese (the one time I wish subtitles was a real thing) the other band mates gave him the finger then Marty started to shred.

I just the energy that’s on the stage it doesn’t stop and it’s so infectious. The crowd at rams head on the stage were in full capacity for the show and ready to rock and roll with Marty.

We got to hear some of the softer more romantic side of Marty and the band when they played a few songs off the “Drama” album which was fun as well.

It’s insane to watch someone like Marty shred in a small intimate venue, you really get to see how amazing he really is and the passion he has for his craft.

About Author

Ron

Ron has keen eye for new talent, a love for the underground, and a tremendous passion for music of any genera. You’ll probably bump into him at a horror convention or some seedy club checking out the next need-to-know band.

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Concert Reviews

APOCALYPTICA PLAYS METALLICA VOL 2: DC SHOW REVIEW

Published

2 weeks ago

February 9, 2025

Ron

Apocalyptica is on tour now with Nita Strauss on their PLAYS METALLICA VOL 2.

Nita opened the show and as always put on an amazing show, it’s fun to see Nita on these solo tour when she’s not touring with Alice Cooper. You get to see her shine even more and just put a clinic on with shredding on the guitar. I’ve seen Nita a few times but this night was a little extra special, she brought out Kasey Karlsen of the band Deadlands out to sing a few songs which was great cause normally there’s no vocals at her shows.

This was my first time being able to not only see Apocalyptica but also photograph them. I’ve always been a huge fan of their music and loved the 2 Metallica albums as well. I figured this was more than likely the only way I’ll get to hear Metallica play is with Apocalyptica playing them.

We got to hear an amazing mix of songs throughout Metallica’s career. Opening up with “Ride the Lightning” and “Enter Sandman” you knew you were gonna rock out.

The band is amazing, such awesome and jaw dropping skills on those Cellos. There’s something magical about musicians that come from Helsinki and the Finland area. Eicca Toppinen, Paavo Lotjonen and Perttu Kivilaakso are insanely talented but also demand the stage so well and bring in that comedy as well.

We also got to hear songs like “Creeping Death”, “The Call of Ktulu” “St Anger”, “Blackened” “Master of Puppets”, “Nothing else Matters” and ending the night with “Seek and Destroy” and “One”. This was such a great night in a cool setting at Warner Theater in DC. I loved the atmosphere and the blending of not only music with classical and metal but also the crowd was as diverse as well.

If you get a chance to go out and see this tour, you must you won’t be disappointed.

About Author

Ron

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Concert Reviews

NIGHTMARE AFTER XMAS 9

Published

3 weeks ago

January 31, 2025

Ron

ITS THAT TIME OF YEAR AGAIN WHEN THE POWERS TO BE GATHER FOR THE MOST BAD ASS OF TIME. YES ITS THAT TIME FOR ANOTHER NIGHTMARE AFTER XMAS.

OF COURSE YOU HAVE SPELLBOOK AND WRATH OF TYPHON ON THE BILL, AND HEADLINING PRINCE DIAMOND (This year doing an all Mercyful Fate set) WE ALSO GOT SABBATH WARLOCK AND ZAUBEREI AS WELL.