Music Corner

In this month's Music Corner, I will once again highlight some of the shows that you might not want to miss and some that unfortunately will already be sold out by the time this hits the stands. So, get your tickets to the shows while you still can. Think you should be covered? Email me and tell me why.
March has a lot going on and I can only touch on a couple of things. As well as the usual live music venues, we also have St Patrick’s Day, and the Junos coming to Hamilton at the end of March.

MAPLE BLUES REVIEW
Friday March 6^th
Westdale Theatre

The Maple Blues Band is bringing back their Maple Blues Revue and their high energy show. It will be constructed around their instrumental music taken from the Let`s Go and Intrumentalz recordings augmented by dynamic vocal performances by world class vocalists Jay Douglas, Samantha Martin and Suzie Vinnick

The Maple Blues Revue is an expansion of The Maple Blues Band`s role that provided the musical landscape for The Maple Blues Awards in Toronto from 1999 until their departure in 2023 in pursuit of a new chapter as a touring and recording act. A version of MBR touring in the early 2000`s featured vocalists Chuck Jackson, Dawn Tyler Watson and the late John Mays. Their Live At Twisted Pines recording on Preservation Records documented this period of the groups history. The last revue show of that version took place at Aurora Winter Blues Festival in 2016.

The Maple Blues Band continued with their instrumental shows performing at festivals and theatres. The four track EP, Instramentalz and the full length Cordova Bay Records release Let`s Go demonstrated a strong force of composition that resulted in high energy original instrumental music.

It`s a new era and a new approach to touring for The Maple Blues Band`s Maple Blues Revue. This time around the fluctuating vocal features will be gleaned from a long list of musical friends and colleagues developed over their 26 years as an all star super group. The 2026-27 segment features vocalists, Jay Douglas, Samantha Martin and Suzie Vinnick. If you like Blues, this Is one you won’t want to miss.

THE BOYS (UK)
with Gene Champagne
Saturday March 14^th
Corktown
This is a show for the punk lovers. It’s the first time in Canada for a legendary, albeit lesser known, punk band. This is a band I myself am not too familiar with, but it’s a Lou Molinaro show, so I'm interested. I think the following quote sums it up:

"Along with the Sex Pistols, Clash and The Damned, The Boys were part of the first wave of the mid-1970’s UK punk explosion. Armed with an arsenal of killer Steel/Dangerfield songs The Boys became the first UK punk band to sign an album deal in January 1977. Highly regarded by the music press and their contemporaries, their well-crafted songs, together with Steel and Dangerfield’s love of harmonies, led to them being described as ‘The Beatles of Punk’ but they could (and should) just as deservedly have been compared to the Ramones – fast, alternately brattish and tongue-in-cheek, and gloriously anthemic".
-- Dave Henderson, Mojo Magazine

Opening for them for their first time in Canada is local favourite, Gene Champagne.
I’m sure this one will be busy so get your ticket or get there early.

THE

ST. PATRICK’S DAY
Tuesday March 17^th
ALL OVER!

Happy ST. PATRICK’S DAY! This year it falls on a Tuesday, but that won’t stop the hordes of “Irish for the day” drinkers and revellers from getting out. And many venues have music on the Tuesday for your enjoyment. Pick your favourite spot(s) and remember to get a ride or enjoy some quality “zero” beers. Here are a few spots to consider for St Patrick’s Day: THE CORKTOWN: There will be a cover and there will be music all day. Ferguson Young, Fried Bologna, and Loaded Dice all perform. Founded by settlers from Cork, Ireland when they were brought here to build the Welland Canal, The Corktown is old, Irish, and the place to be…if you get in. The CAT & FIDDLE: Live music from The Reynolds Family, a wandering leprechaun and a special Irish menu … and you can walk down the street to all the bars on Augusta, including THE JUDGE, offering wing specials all day. And if you like wings and are in the east end, why not hit THE FOOL AND FLAGON, who have won best wings multiple times and will have Irish music playing all day.

In Burlington you also have a slew of places to choose from. The go to spot for me would be THE BLACK BULL on Guelph Line. Like the Corktown, the Black Bull will have music throughout the day, and will be packed. JERSEYS is another bar that will feature bands throughout the day and THE POACHER downtown is another great choice for St. Patrick’s Day. And if you’re in Ancaster BRASSIE PUB has music for St. Patrick’s Day. They normally don’t have live music but always put bands on for this day-drinking “holiday”.

So get out there and support local pubs and restaurants, eat some cabbage or lamb stew, listen to some local musicians play The Pogues and Irish tunes, and raise a glass and say “slainte”.

JUNOS
( ... Continued From Cover )
March 27^th to 29^th
Various Venues (Awards Cermony at TD Coliseum March 29^th)

The 55^th annual Junos come to Hamilton in March. There are 3 nights of activities plus numerous showcases at a variety of bars and venues. Friday March 26^th has the Sirius Comedy Showcase at Levity, Hamilton’s independent comedy club. Also taking place is the Juno Kickoff Concert at The Music Hall. This high-energy concert-style showcase will feature powerhouse performances from James Barker Band, Robyn Ottolini, Sacha, Kalsey Kulyk and The Redhill Valleys.
Saturday March 27^th has a number of events including The Songwriters Circle at FirstOntario Concert Hall (aka Hamilton Place), as well as JUNO FEST, which takes place at various venues downtown including The Underground, Ooey Gooeys, Corktown, The Bright Room, Mills and more. This is the real value of the Junos, to showcase multiple artists at local venues. Get your digital pass and check them all out. However, these aren’t the only shows to see. Many other venues throughout the city will be having music. Places like Ridiculous also have 2 nights of local music showcases to highlight the richness of the Hamilton music scene. And my own band, Brown Notes, will be showcasing our new original tracks at a matinee (3pm) at the Cat and Fiddle on Sunday the 28^th ... and there’s no cover.
The award ceremonies themselves take place at TD Coliseum on Sunday March 28^th. Performers will include Hamilton’s own ARKELLS (as seen on the cover), winners 6x as group of the year. The Beaches and more. Additionally, Joni Mitchell will receive a JUNO Lifetime Achievement Award recognizing nearly 60 years of prolific, enduring contributions to folk music.
This is a great opportunity to showcase Hamilton's vibrant music scene to the rest of the country, and for us to enjoy the very same scene.

UNDERCOVERS
Wednesday March 25^th
Westdale Theatre

Presented by Erica Ehm

Undercovers, a special one-night musical event inspired by The Last Waltz - an intimate, collaborative evening where great musicians come together to perform inspired cover songs in a beautifully curated setting. Erica Ehm will host the event and share some of her stories. The Bill Bell Trio will anchor the night, joined by a rotating lineup of guest artists for unique, one-off performances.
This event is being done in support of the Unison Fund. With a record-breaking number of music workers reaching out for financial and mental health services, funding to support Unison’s programs is critical to the survival and well-being of many in our industry. Music workers change our lives; your donation can help change theirs.

THE MUSIC CORNER