K-Days concert lineup boasts 22 acts

The biggest Edmonton show returns to liven up the summer.

K-Days is back at Northlands July 21 to 30 for a 10-day party packed with thrilling midway rides, rodeo action, trade shows, a powwow competition and tempting carnival treats.

Every event is a blast. But bolstered by the popularity of previous concerts, organizers have booked 22 headline-grabbing performers brewing up a musical storm.

There is always something new at K-Days and the concerts are an opportunity to immerse oneself in a wide range of genres from country, Celtic, rock ’n roll and roots to alt-pop, electronic, R&B and roots rock.

“Our biggest addition to programming this year is the K-Days Rodeo,” said Caiti Farquharson, public relations specialist.

“This will be one of the richest CPR-sanctioned one-header rodeos in North America, and it will take place at Northlands Coliseum during the first weekend of K-Days from July 21 to 23.

“To coincide with this agriculture-oriented event, we have some country style performances coming to K-Days over the first weekend including Jo-Jo Mason, Cold Creek County, Dan Davidson and Corb Lund.”

Friday, July 21

7:30 p.m. Jojo Mason

9:30 p.m. Uncle Kracker

Matthew Shafer, better known as Uncle Kracker, sets the country bar dishing out his crossover hybrid. A former rapper and turntablist for Kid Rock’s backing group Twisted Brown Trucker, Uncle Kracker has recorded solo since 1999.

The Michigan singer-songwriter’s first solo album, Double Wide, went double platinum, spawning two smash hits on Billboard’s top ten – Follow Me and Drift Away.

Kenny Chesney tapped him for the mega-hit When the Sun Goes Down, and Uncle Kracker keeps selling out stadium shows across North America.

“I really subscribe to just having fun,” he states. “That’s what it’s all about. The way I feel is if I’m enjoying it, it’s really worth doing.”

Opening for him is Saskatchewan’s JoJo Mason, a singing country prairie boy with a beatbox vibe.

Saturday, July 22

7:30 p.m. Tebey

9:30 p.m. Cold Creek County

Cold Creek County comes by their name organically. The six-piece band titled it after an Ontario area dotted with rolling hills, apple orchards and small villages.

Founded in 2013, the country rock group is signed to Sony Music Canada and released the 11-track Till The Wheels Come Off (2015) and 7-track EP Homemade (2017).

For two consecutive years, Cold Creek won the CMA Ontario Group of the Year. With the addition of Ches Anthony as new lead singer, the band’s harmonies have kicked up a notch.

Warming up the crowd for Cold Creek is Nashville based Tebey, a dynamic mix of country doused with a fusion of pop, rock and a little soul.

A Canadian by birth, the multi-genre singer-songwriter now lives in Nashville and has had several hit singles including Somewhere in the Country and ’Till It’s Gone.

Sunday, July 23

7:30 p.m. Dan Davidson

9:30 p.m. Corb Lund

Fresh from a solo acoustic show in June at New York’s Rockwood Music Hall, Corb Lund is back.

The capital region’s country music fans missed Lund’s presence after he moved to his Lethbridge ranch. They continue to have a soft spot for the CCMA and Juno Award winning recording artist whose 2012 release, Cabin Fever, was certified ‘gold’ in Canada.

For his last album, Things That Can’t Be Undone, Lund paired with The Hurtin’ Albertans to craft sharp and touching lyrics on a bed of a rollicking honky tonk and alt-country melodies.

“Corb Lund is one of my favourite artists and he’s been a big influence in my life. I’ve been following him ever since I was a teenager,” said St. Albert’s Dan Davidson, opening for Lund.

Both are graduates of the MacEwan College music program. Whereas Lund followed his small town roots nailing contemporary country, Davidson explored rock music as lead singer of Tupelo Honey.

Now a solo country artist, Davidson has won Edmonton Music Awards and Association of Country Music in Alberta Awards for his chart-topping single Found.

Monday, July 24

7:30 p.m. Repartee

9:30 p.m. Alan Doyle and The Beautiful Gypsies

Renowned for playing stellar shows, Alan Doyle and The Beautiful Gypsies are a direct offshoot of Newfoundland’s now defunct but beloved Great Big Sea.

With Great Big Sea over, Doyle has focused his attention on Beautiful Gypsies, once a sideline project, now a major endeavour.

With the dust settling, the band is focused on producing a new album slated for release in 2018. Excited to drop Summer Summer Night and its accompanying video, the single is a rowdy, rockin’ party anthem.

Opening for Alan Doyle and the Beautiful Gypsies is Repartee, a Newfoundland foursome that was nominated in 2013 for an East Coast Music Award for Rising Star.

Tuesday, July 25

7:30 p.m. Pop Evil

9:30 p.m. The Glorious Sons

Each time The Glorious Sons drives through the region, they collect bigger audiences. Two years ago, they played St. Albert’s Rainmaker Rodeo. On Tuesday, they headline K-Days.

Proud of the dirt under their fingernails, this Kingston-based group is everyman’s band, telling both humorous and poignant stories from the blue-collar worker’s perspective.

Describing themselves as “a dirty rock and roll band” they hit their stride with The Union, nominated for Rock Album of the Year at the 2015 Juno Awards.

Charting their own course, they epitomize the next Canadian generation producing great rock.

Just prior to The Glorious Sons, the Michigan based Pop Evil brings its larger-than-life rock and roll sound to the stage.

Supporting a 15-year history on the musical landscape, Pop Evil has developed a reputation for emotional heft and melodic power.

Wednesday, July 26

7:30 p.m. Spoons

9:30 p.m. April Wine

What is there left to say about headline act April Wine, a classic rock band that made waves in both Canada and the United States?

This legendary band has released more than 20 albums, been inducted into the Canadian Music Hall of Fame, and received The Lifetime Achievement Award for being part of Canadian music history for 40 years.

From Fast Train to If You Believe in Me, this iconic band has entertained several generations with its light-hearted reflections of life.

Spoons, a new wave band from Burlington, Ontario is the featured opener and will perform their retro ’80s groove.

Thursday, July 27

7:30 p.m. The Zolas

9:30 p.m. July Talk

The Toronto-based alternative rock band July Talk is the marquee act on Thursday night. Formed in 2012, it released a self-titled debut album in 2013 and subsequently received a Juno Award in 2015 for Alternative Album of the Year.

With a meteoric rise to the top, they are at their A-game performing explosive shows at home and abroad.

Former Edmonton resident Peter Dreimanis and singer Leah Fay helm this project and released their second album, Touch, in 2016.

July Talk continues to remain mostly unchanged, presenting confrontational topics on a bedrock of sensuous rock and roll.

Uncorking the night’s music are The Zolas, an alternative pop collaboration from British Columbia that doesn’t shy away from asking hard questions.

Friday, July 28

7:30 p.m. Rae Spoon

8:15 p.m. Crystal Waters

9 p.m. CeCe Penniston

9:45 p.m. Betty White

Veering away from the two-act concert lineup, organizers have programmed four singer-songwriter-recording artists for Friday.

“We are holding Pride Day at K-Days on July 28, and we are celebrating this day with additional artists on the TD South Stage,” said Farquharson.

Rae Spoon is a Montreal-based artist who has dabbled in country-roots music, fusing it with electronic elements.

Crystal Waters, an American house music singer, has brought international attention to her work through dance hits Gypsy Woman and 100% Pure Love.

CeCe Penniston is also a highly successful dance-club recording artist. Her signature hit, Finally, was No. 5 on Billboard and her latest single Nothing Can Stop Me is an upbeat ode to life.

Australian pop singer Betty White closes the evening with a showcase of human vulnerabilities and anthems of joy and independence.

Saturday, July 29

7:30 p.m. Scenic Route to Alaska

9:30 p.m. Sam Roberts Band

Sam Roberts Band and Scenic Route to Alaska first met at the inaugural Seven Music Fest in 2015 when they bookended the St. Albert festival.

Once again national heavy-hitters Sam Roberts Band headline K-Days with their 2016 album TerraForm, a tribute of love songs that grapple with the many faces of love – the beautiful, the ugly, the healing and the destructive.

Said Roberts, “Terraforming is the concept of going to another planet and making it viable and liveable for humans. But in a sense this record can be seen as planting seeds for a sort of renewal in your own personal life.”

The easy-going Edmonton-based Scenic Route gets to share their victories with the hometown crowd. The roots-pop band won four prizes at the 2017 Edmonton Music Awards.

The list included Album of the Year for Long Walk Home, Pop Recording of the Year for Coming Back, Indie Rock Recording for Love Keeps and Group of the Year.

Sunday, July 30

7:30 p.m. Alx Veliz

9:30 p.m. Alessia Cara

Headline recording artist Alessia Cara from Brampton is winning fans around the world with her poise, charm and great pop songs.

She was a shoo-in for four Juno nominations in 2016 including a win for Breakthrough Artist of the Year. She’s also done a tour with Coldplay, a performance with Taylor Swift, and a cover of Billboard Magazine’s Grammy issue.

And her explosive single Stay isn’t going anywhere. The track keeps a steady post on Billboard’s Hot 100.

Now an American music staple, this 20-year-old is going places most singers only dream about.

Opener Alx Veliz, an electrifying synth-driven pop recording artist, showcases his thrilling dance teases. His hit single Dancing Kizomba is a call to the dance floor and Veliz has just inked a deal with Universal Music for more of the same.