Alkatine, 7's Wild & Broken Authority

I first heard Calgary based Alkatine, when they opened for the Headstones last year. Simply put I was taken by surprise. A solid hard rock sound and equally solid stage presence. Alkatine is all that is rock and roll should be. Driving songs like "Razor Train" to more soulful offerings like "Dear Moonshine" showcase what this band has to offer. Last year saw them open for the Headstones, Blind Melon, and Moist. Unfortunately I missed their last performance with Moist, due to the Grey Cup. So when the opportunity arose to see them at the Bling Beggar in Calgary. I was in. The Beggar is more intimate setting, and these guys fed off the energy of the packed venue. If you have the chance go and see these guys live, if you love rock, you will love Alkatine. 

The night was all rock as Broken Authority and 7's Wild opened the night. A great show with some of Calgary's up and coming.

Buckcherry @ Deerfoot Inn & Casino

There is no doubt in my mind that front-man of Buckcherry Josh Todd is a truly energetic performer with great stage presence. The band launched straight into it with "Lit Up" followed up by "Imminent Bail Out" from their 2008 album "Black Butterfly". Followed by "All Night Long", "SFWM". The band then started to slow things down with "Everything", and their popular rock ballad "Sorry".

Josh then relayed a story about how he hated his history teacher in high school, and would get high before class, before breaking into "Dirty Mind" to pick up the pace once again. They followed with "Sunshine" and then "I Don't Give a Fuck" a song from the bands latest release "Fuck" (EP 2014). "Gluttony", "Wrath", and "Borderline" rounded out the set. 

The band closed with "Crazy Bitch" which had everyone at the venue going, and bringing them back for the encore performance of "I Don't Give a Fuck" and "Too Drunk".

Great performance from a band that is all that rock and roll embraces.

54-40 @ Deerfoot Inn & Casino

To start off 54-40's sold out Calgary show, Neil Osbourne took the stage and explained that normally for their concerts that they have 'entry music', but since they didn't have that they were going to do something different.

Something different in this case meant that he was going to start with a solo acoustical version of 'One Day'. The audience was hooked. With thirteen albums plus of material 54-40 put on a solid show, with songs spanning their 30 years.

The set for Calgary was "One Day", "Easy to Love", "Lies to Me", "Crossing a Canyon", "Nice to Love You", "The Waiting", "Baby Ran", "Radio Love Song", "She Calls Us One", "One Gun", "She La", "Since When", "Casual Viewin", "Ocean Pearl", "I Go Blind", and "Luv You All".

I have to say that if you haven't seen 54-40 in concert it is well worth seeing them perform live, they will not disappoint as they are flawless live. To see when they are in your neck of the woods check out their tour information on http://www.5440.com