GALACTIC EMPIRE w/ Spectra
Nov. 3rd
Mills Hardware
Galactic Empire is the galaxy’s foremost instrumental Star Wars cosplay heavy metal John Williams tribute band. Comprised of the most sinister musicians in the galaxy, Galactic Empire is primed to continue their journey toward becoming the ultimate power in the universe. Opening for them is Spectra, an instrumental outfit from here in Hamilton.
BPAC
Burlington Performing Arts Centre
The Burlington Performing Arts Centre has another great season and November has a few good shows. Here are 4 of their shows that I think you need to know about:
OVER THE RIDGE: THE STORY OF VIMY RIDGE
Wed. Nov. 4th
I saw the synopsis of this event at the BPAC season launch. A mixture of history, dance and of course music. Often called the “battle that made Canada,” Vimy Ridge resulted in over 10,000 Canadian casualties. Through direct storytelling, live music, and dance, the show examines misconceptions and varying perspectives around that battle, while drawing parallels to other formative events in our nation’s past. Featuring inventive musical interpretations of WWI soldier songs, and original choreography performed by members of Ballet Jörgen, Over the Ridge probes difficult yet necessary questions about how and why we grieve. This is not a normal musical performance but a great musical journey about our past, just prior to remembrance day.
TROOPER
Wed. Nov. 11th 
Trooper is one of Canada’s most beloved rock bands, with millions of records sold, dozens of hit songs, and a JUNO Award for Band of the Year. Known for iconic anthems like “We’re Here for a Good Time,” “Raise a Little Hell,” and “The Boys in the Bright White Sports Car,” the band has become a staple of Canadian rock. Inducted into both the Canadian Music Hall of Fame and Canada’s Walk of Fame in 2023, Trooper continues to electrify audiences across the country with their timeless hits and legendary live shows. If you grew up in the 70’s and 80’s, you knew Trooper. So, get out to Burlington to raise a little hell!
FLOYDIUM
Wed. Nov. 20th 
I covered Floydium in last month’s edition, when they were playing at the McIntyre Performing Arts Centre. They were absolutely amazing. The videos were psychedelic and captivating and every member of the band were able to showcase their talents and abilities. The first half was a collection of various Pink Floyd Tunes, with an amazing rendition of “Great Gig in the Sky”. The audience was blown away. The second half was what I went for, the album “Animals” and the band did not disappoint. I’ve been singing Sheep and Pigs on the Wing for a week. If you saw that show, here’s another chance and if you didn’t and you’re a Pink Floyd fan you should go see Floydium in Burlington.
SARAH HARMER
Sat. Nov. 28th 
Sarah Harmer is a multiple award-winning, platinum-selling singer-songwriter and environmental activist. I got my child Francis into Sarah Harmer early on. A great folk singer, but also a great defender of the environment. She was a co-founder of PERL (Protecting Escarpment Rural Land) and leading the successful effort to prevent an open-pit gravel mine in The Niagara Escarpment, which you all should know is a UNESCO World Biosphere Reserve.
I remember watching Escarpment Blues with my late mother, listening to Sarah’s beautiful songs and environmental messages, while watching the beauty of the Niagara Escarpment. If you haven’t seen that documentary I would highly recommend it. She’s back performing in town and is sure to put on a great show.
LAZARETTES w/ Ron Hawkins & FemBots
Thurs. Nov. 5th
Mills Hardware
A great show with 2 great opening acts. Toronto alt-roots band Lazarettes are a Toronto music collective currently playing out in support of their most recent album Sweet Misery (produced by Ron Hawkins of the Lowest of the Low). Lazarettes began as a collective of musicians featuring members of Fembots and Sour Landslide, releasing records and performing in and around Toronto. The band has a raucous live show featuring sharp, literate songwriting, driving rhythm and singalong harmonies. Opening for them are Ron Hawkins, of Lowest of the Low, and The Fembots.
CLIFFORD BREWING
Stellar lineup of shows for November at Clifford including staples like the New Rebel Westerners, but I’ll cover Carrie Clark below Here are 2 shows I’ll draw attention to:
MORE BARN
Wed. Nov. 11th
Wednesday November 11th sees the return of the Neil Young tribute night, More Barn. “More Barn!” is a legendary phrase that Neil Young fans know, relating to the sound of recording in a barn. Version 2 of More Barn takes place on November 11th, a Wednesday night. If you like Neil Young, you’ll love this show. The band is comprised of: Tim Allard of The Red Hill Valleys on guitar and vocals, CJ Altman on pedal steel piano and vocals, Freedom Train’s Carl Jennings on bass and vocals and Joel Anderson on drums. See you there!
TRES BIEN ENSEMBLE
Fri. Nov. 27th
This band impressed me when I first saw them play at the Capitol. They will be performing on Friday November 27th at Clifford. The band is a six-piece indie-pop and psych-rock band, featuring members and alumni from groups like The Weakerthans, Wayne Omaha, and The Lowest of the Low. Their sound is a mix of pop, ska-tinged psychedelia, and jangly indie rock, frequently featuring three-part vocal interplay and trombone. When I saw them at Capitol the first time, the trombone player had to play in the hallway. But what a show that was. I look forward to seeing them again.
ALAN CROSS
A freewheeling talk and Q/A with the legendary music historian.
Fri. Nov. 13th
Bridgeworks
Alan Cross is an internationally known broadcaster, interviewer, writer, consultant, blogger and speaker. In his 40+ years in the broadcasting and music business, Alan has interviewed the biggest names in rock and is also known as a musicologist and documentarian through programs like The Ongoing History of New Music. Alan has been deeply involved exploring the present and future relationships between music, technology and social networking. This is your chance to hear and speak and ask questions of one of the most knowledgeable people in the music business. More information on Alan can be found at his website, ajournalofmusicalthings.com
SONNY DEL RIO: A ROCKIN’ FAREWELL
Sat. Nov. 14th
Corktown
Sadly, my good friend and a Hamilton Rock legend passed away. Sonny played sax and rock and rolled for well over 60 years. Sonny played with numerous people including King Biscuit Boy, Crowbar, Trickbag and with his own band. He used to run am annual Christmas Show, Hamilton Hometown Christmas, and even had a CD made of people like Matt Hayes (CHCH) and Mayor Bob Wade singing (I still have the CD). Sonny loved his friends and family, loved music and absolutely loved Hamilton and was a proud Hamiltonian. In fact, it is widely known that it was Sonny himself who first coined the term “The Hammer” for Hamilton. And when I started the Hammer Monthly, he made sure to let me know it again. Join his son Tommy (Tommy Gunn), and numerous musicians including Jude Johnson, Darcy Hepner (sax), Trickbag and too many more to mention here, on Saturday Nov 14th to give him a rockin’ farewell. It is sad that our friend has passed, but he lived a life of Rock and Roll and gave it a damn good ride ... We’ll send of Sonny with a blowout. I’ll see you there with sadness in my heart, but a joy that we were privileged to know such a great musician.
CARRIE CLARK - Album Release Party
w/ Astrid Young
Sat. Nov. 21st
Mills Hardware
If you go out to see music in Hamilton, then you’ve seen Carrie Clark. Perhaps In the New Rebel Westerners, maybe in SuperDelux, or The Ty Price band, or The Carrie Clark band ... or … and the list goes on. Carrie, on bass, and Robin Pirson, drums, are the ever-present backline for so many bands, local and touring. Most recently she has joined The Pintos, formerly known as Matt Paxton and the Pintos, but with the addition of both Carrie and Robin, the name has switched to The Pintos. But Carrie is MUCH more than a great bass player, and has released her own albums, including the recently released Resistor. The six track recording showcases not just Carrie’s musical prowess but also her ability to write quality, lyrically driven tracks. Opening for Carrie will be Astrid Young. The show takes place at the intimate confines of Mills Hardware, so it is a show that local Hamilton music fans won’t want to miss.
REXFORD DRIVE
Sat. Nov. 21st
Corktown (Upstairs)
Local favourites play the Corktown Loft. They have a new single, “Broken”, which will be released the same day as the show.
BROWN NOTES
Sun. Nov. 22nd @ 3pm
Cat and Fiddle
I’d be amiss If I didn’t mention my own band is back. The Brown Notes are playing their first show since summer festival season and we’ve got some new songs to uncork, from the bilingual “Sacre Bleu” to the folksy “Rust Belt” and the newest track, the ethereal “These Flies”. As always Olaf, Shawn, Koz and myself will showcase our originals but also slip in a few Ween, GBV and Wilco tunes into the afternoon. Come for an afternoon of drinks and music … and there’s No Cover! ... As Pollard would say “A Salty Salute to you!”.
ROBERT BRUCE
Tues. Nov. 24th
Church of St John The Evangelist (The Rock on Locke)
Composer/pianist ROBERT BRUCE regular performs solo on piano. You can join him for what is billed as: MEDITATIVE SOUND SCULPTURES: An Evening of Calming and Reflective Solo Piano Music at the church known as “the Rock on Locke”. The venue is an affordable venue and works with local musicians to help them, but it is also a perfect venue to hear Robert’s piano resonating through the hall. This will be Robert's 7th live concert in his "calming and reflective" solo piano series and the last program for 2026. His solo piano music is known for creating a tangibly intimate and daydreamy atmosphere that many listeners find comforting and uplifting.
Tickets are $25 and are available at the door
Visit www.robertbrucemusic.com for more info.
