Sparks of red and blue will fire up the fall concert season in Red Deer.
Canada’s renowned folk-rockers Blue Rodeo will perform Dec. 1 at the Centrium, while alt-pop band Dear Rouge will play Dec. 2 at Bo’s Bar and Stage.
Blue Rodeo has just added some Western Canadian dates to its Many a Mile Tour, in support of the band’s 16th album. Many a Mile contains 12 tunes, from the delicate Symmetry of Starlight to the rollicking When You Were Wild.
Since this recording was done during the pandemic lockdowns, Jim Cuddy and Greg Keelor had to work separately, while sharing band members — (bassist) Bazil Donovan, (drummer) Glenn Milchem, (keyboardist) Michael Boguski, (guitarist) Colin Cripps and (multi-instrumentalist) Jim Bowskill — on a rotating basis.
The resulting songs have been described as “remarkably coherent, energized and buoyed by a constellation of surprising textures and touches.” The album is called a snapshot of “a peer less group at its peak.”
Danielle McTaggart, formerly of Red Deer, makes up Dear Rouge along with her husband Drew McTaggart. The pair will be offering up reflective songs from their newest recording, Spirit in a more intimate setting, at Bo’s.
The group’s latest tunes take aim at the “fake fame” of internet influencers while seeking unification and connection in these disparate times. Spirit is called a “battle cry” to live a freer, more courageous life. “an inspiration to its listeners to be bold and brave; to foster, to create, to encourage and to celebrate ourselves and others.”
Tickets for both shows are available at www.livenation.com.