Alan Cross' A Journal of Musical Things • 25th March 2026

Photos and a review of Matt Berninger in Ottawa | Alan Cross

[A collaboration of coverage with Ross MacDonald and Zachary Resnick. – AC]Fans showed up in droves on Friday, March 20th to revel in the emotive, rich baritones that are the signature sound of one Matthew Donald Berninger.


Ottawa’s Bronson Music Theatre – fast becoming my favorite venue in the city – was the perfect space for this show. Berninger shines brightest in smaller, intimate settings where his charm and towering presence ensure a memorable experience. Opening the show was Vancouver’...

Alan Cross' A Journal of Musical Things • 20th March 2026

Photos and a review of Lights and Softcult in Ottawa | Alan Cross

[Zachary Resnick reviews and Melody Maloney provided the pictures. – AC]The line formed around the block at the Bronson Music Theatre on Wednesday, March 18th, all for Light’s sold-out Ottawa stop on her COME GET YOUR GIRL TOUR.


The show was opened by the Toronto grunge/shoegaze prodigies Softcult. This was my first time seeing them live, but their brand of 90’s inspired riot grrrl energy is right up my alley. If you’re not sure what all of this means, know that Softcult sounds like a band th...

Alan Cross' A Journal of Musical Things • 12th February 2026

Photos and a review of Gowan in Ottawa | Alan Cross

[Zachary Resnick and Melody Maloney were there for us. – AC]The chilly night air was all but forgotten as Gowan heated things up at Ottawa’s Bronson Music Theatre on Friday, February 6th. An eager crowd filled the venue for the first of two nights headlined by the poppy prog rock legend. 


The show was opened by half of Ottawa’s own Main Street Revival, who kept us entertained with an intimate, slower set, reminiscent of old MTV Unplugged performances. Opening with ‘Release Me’ and ‘Long Road,...

Alan Cross' A Journal of Musical Things • 29th December 2025

Amos the Transparent Puts on Another Jolly Christmas Show | Alan Cross

[More photo work from Ross MacDonald with a review from Zachary Resnick. – AC]Ottawa’s Club SAW hosted Amos the Transparent and friends for their yearly Christmas concert this past Saturday, December 20th, and I can’t remember the last time I was so thoroughly charmed by a show. The band has been putting these shows on annually for the last 10 or so years, originally held at Greenfields.


The SAW Lounge is an intimate venue, which suits this type of concert beautifully. The crowd was filled wi...

Alan Cross' A Journal of Musical Things • 28th October 2025

Photos and a review of Black Pistol Fire | Alan Cross

[Zachary Resnick was there for us in Ottawa. – AC]The Toronto-born, Austin-based duo Black Pistol Fire played Ottawa’s Bronson Centre as the last Canadian stop on their tour on October 23rd. 


This was a fairly small, intimate show – balcony seats weren’t open – which speaks to how modular of a space the Bronson Centre is. With a bar set up on either side of the room, a row of seating at the very back, and a small VIP area and pit at the front, it really felt like being in a cozy New York venu...

Alan Cross' A Journal of Musical Things • 15th October 2025

Photos and a review of Strange Advance, Images in Vogue, and The Box in Ottawa | Alan Cross

[Zachary Resnick and Melody Maloney were there for us. – AC]For the second-to-last stop on their 2025 tour, Strange Advance played Ottawa’s Bronson Centre Music Theatre on a crisp October evening. Known as one of Canada’s premiere new wave groups in the 80’s and 90’s, Vancouver’s Strange Advance has had somewhat of a renaissance here in the (20)20’s. The night’s entertainment kicked off with Images in Vogue, fellow Vancouver new wave alums. Each member dressed all in black, they opened with the...

Alan Cross' A Journal of Musical Things • 14th October 2025

An interview with Drew Arnott of Strange Advance | Alan Cross

[This one was covered by Zachary Resnick.- AC]Before their Ottawa, ON, show on October 10th, AJMT got a chance to sit down with Strange Advance’s frontman & O.G. synth-wizard Drew Arnot in the Bronson Centre Music Theatre’s green room to talk about what’s changed since the 80’s & 90’s, new wave’s place in today’s musical landscape, ai, and what a long career in the music world can teach you. AJMT: So, let’s start out by saying this: Strange Advance had a pretty big hiatus between let’s say the ‘...

Sound Check Entertainment • 19th September 2025

Korn Pops Off at the Canadian Tire Centre

Korn makes Ottawa the first stop on their Canadian tour, with Gojira and Loathe in tow. If you were in the Ottawa area on Wednesday, September 17th and thought you felt some rumbling, it wasn’t an earthquake. It was the sonic vibrations coming from the Canadian Tire Centre hosting a trifecta of metal icons. The Canadian leg of Korn’s 2025 tour kicked off in Ottawa and opened with an explosive, high-energy set from Liverpool’s Loathe. Opening with tracks like “Revenant,” “Aggressive Evolution,” a...

Alan Cross' A Journal of Musical Things • 17th September 2025

One last review and photo collection from Ottawa's CityFolk Festival: Down with Webster, USS, and Cam Kahin | Alan Cross

[Ross MacDonald, Zachary Resnick, and Melody Maloney were there. – AC]City Folk 2025 saved what may have been its most rocket-fueled lineup for the final day.The GTA’s Cam Kahin appeared on the main stage with an explosive start to his set. It was loud, furious, and set the tone for the entire night.There was a lot of emotion on display in ‘Whatever You Want,’ the lyrics dripping raw, angry intensity to match Kahim frantic onstage movements. “I’m usually this sweaty on track 1,” he joked, taking...

Alan Cross' A Journal of Musical Things • 16th September 2025

Photos and a review of Dropkick Murphys and The Pogues at Ottawa CityFolk Festival | Alan Cross

[More coverage from Ross MacDonald and Zachary Resnick. – AC]It was a little cloudier, the skies a bit greyer for day 4 of City Folk 2025, but the crowds were out in force for another day of live music.Catbite, a ska-punk band from the city of brotherly love, kicked off the evening with MONSTER energy. I’m going to be using the word energy a lot in this part of the review, because there’s simply no better way to describe them.‘Die In Denver’ started out the set at a breakneck pace. ‘Asinine Aest...

Alan Cross' A Journal of Musical Things • 14th September 2025

Photos and a review of Ottawa's City Folk Day 3: Mint Simon, James, and Morrissey (No, he didn't cancel. Shocking, I know.) | Alan Cross

[More from Ross MacDonald and Zackary Resnick. – AC]The midpoint of Ottawa’s City Folk festival was marked by three mammoth performances on the TD Stage, delighting all in attendance. Kicking off the evening was Montreal’s Mint Simon, the solo vehicle for the Caveboy frontperson. They opened with ‘Lost My Mind,’ a synth-y electric groove with a serpentine beat to kick off their first Ottawa performance. ‘Tongue Tied’ began slower and bass-ier until the chorus kicked in with hip-shaking energy, w...

Alan Cross' A Journal of Musical Things • 13th September 2025

Photos and a review of Ottawa CityFolk Festival with Melissa Etheridge, Junkhouse, and Indigo Girls | Alan Cross

[Ross MacDonald (photos) and Zachary Resnik (text) were there. The Melissa Etheridge photos are courtesy Sean Fisk.- AC]It’s a big year for City Folk aka The Ottawa Folk Festival. 2025 marks not only 31 years since its birth in 1994, but the ten-year anniversary of the festival moving to Landsdowne Park. On day 2 of this year’s festivities, crowds filed in on a picture-perfect day. Not a cloud in the sky. First up on the main stage were Hamiliton, ONT alt-rock legends Junkhouse. This is an act I...

Alan Cross' A Journal of Musical Things • 27th July 2025

Another review-and-photos report from Ottawa Bluesfest: JW-Jones and Texas Horns | Alan Cross

[Another report from Zachary Resnik. – AC]Day 8 at the River Stage: The Texas Horns/JW-JonesDay 8 of Ottawa Bluesfest looked grey and a bit chilly, but things heated up quickly over at the River Stage. Looking to put the ‘blues’ back into Bluesfest were The Texas Horns and JW-Jones. Releasing their first album back in 2015, The Texas Horns – Mark “Kaz” Kazanoff, John Mills, and Al Gomez – are widely recognized as the preeminent hard-blowing three-piece blues, soul and roots music horn section in...

Alan Cross' A Journal of Musical Things • 26th July 2025

Still more photos and reviews from Ottawa Bluesfest 2025: Dwanye Gretzky and Los Bitchos | Alan Cross

Day 7 at the River Stage: Four Eyed Muscle Man/Los Bitchos/Dwayne GretzkyThe seventh day of Ottawa Bluesfest 2025 was considerably cooler (in temperature) than those that came before it. Over at the River Stage, we were treated to an eclectic mix of memorable bands. These were three acts I’d never personally seen before – a festival first for me this year.Kicking the night off was Ottawa’s own Four Eyed Muscle Man, showcasing their personal band of indie alt-rock, and teasing a new album droppin...

Alan Cross' A Journal of Musical Things • 25th July 2025

Ottawa Bluesfest 2025: Photos and a review of The Decemberists, Amos the Transparent, and The Sarandons | Alan Cross

[Zachary Resnik was there for us. – AC]The second week of Ottawa Bluesfest 2025 kicked off to high temperatures again, but a pleasant breeze kept things cooler than days prior. Over at the River Stage again, festival-goers were treated to a triple bill of indie and folk rock.First up were The Sarandons from Toronto. They teased they’d be playing at least four new songs for this set, so loyal fans were in for a treat. Opening to a modest crowd with a bassline that was reminiscent of The Strokes,...

Alan Cross' A Journal of Musical Things • 16th July 2025

Photos and a Review of Ottawa Bluesfest Night Two (Part 2) | Alan Cross

[More coverage from Ross MacDonald, Melody Maloney, Zachary Resnick, and Karen Coughtrey. – AC]Day 2 at the River Stage: Vikki Gilmore/Amigo the Devil/The Dead SouthDay two of Ottawa Bluesfest 2025 was even hotter than the first – for numerous reasons. The sun beat down mercilessly over the River Stage as crowds were treated to another day of fantastic live music. First up was Montreal’s own Vikki Gilmore, whose set started a little late. As she took centre stage dressed in a white cowboy hat an...

Alan Cross' A Journal of Musical Things • 15th July 2025

Photos and a Review of Ottawa Bluesfest 2025 Night One (part 2) | Alan Cross

[There are a couple of teams on the ground to cover this year’s Bluesfest. This report is from Zachary Resnick, Ross MacDonald, and Melody Maloney. – AC]The 2025 edition of Ottawa’s Bluesfest kicked off with a strong showing of varied acts on Thursday, July 10th. I found myself drawn to the River Stage for many of the opening offerings. London-born (UK), Ottawa-based DB Cohen kicked things off with a high energy set. The sun was shining down as he and The Revelers took the River Stage as this ye...

Alan Cross' A Journal of Musical Things • 6th June 2025

Reviews and photos of Metric in Ottawa as they perform Fantasies at the Bronson Centre | Alan Cross

[This comes via Zachary Resnick and Melody Maloney. – AC]Metric kicked off a four-stop tour on Monday, June 2nd at Ottawa’s Bronson Centre, where they performed their Juno-winning album, Fantasies, in its entirety as well as some of the greatest hits.Let me get this out of the way first: I’m a huge Metric fan. The chance to see one of my favorite bands performing one of my favorite albums felt like a dream come true. I used to listen to my copy so much I was worried that the CD would melt.Fantas...

Alan Cross' A Journal of Musical Things • 11th May 2025

Silverstein Heads “25 Years of Noise” at the Bronson Centre in Ottawa | Alan Cross

[Zachary Resnick was on the scene. – AC]Silverstein and friends chose Ottawa’s Bronson Centre as the 51st stop on their “25 Years of Noise” tour, celebrating a quarter century of continually evolving and refining their hardcore/emo sound. Four acts played a pulse-pounding show to a sold-out, all-ages audience of eager fans – loud, raw, and explosive.If there’s a band out there that can open a show and get a crowd hyped faster than Greyhaven, I haven’t found them. Hailing from Louisville, Kentuck...

Alan Cross' A Journal of Musical Things • 6th May 2025

Photos and a review of BTO, April Wine, and The Headpins in Ottawa | Alan Cross

[Zachary Resnick and Melody Maloney were dispatched to cover a trip bill of classic Canadian rock. – AC]A trifecta of classic Canadian rock bands kicked off the weekend by blowing the doors off of The Arena at TD Place. The Ottawa stop on BTO’s Back in Overdrive 2025 tour brought fans together from all over the city, and though the skies were grey, spirits were bright inside the venue.Fans were first treated to an opening act one-two punch of high-energy Canadiana to set the evening’s tone. The H...