For fans of inspired, earnest rock ‘n’ roll the upcoming two-night stand at the Queen Elizabeth Theatre featuring the Joel Plaskett Emergency and Frank Turner can’t come soon enough. Tickets for the shows—happening May 18 and 19 — are down to the shorts straws, and for good reason. Plaskett’s new album, Scrappy Happiness, is his most satisfying in a while and Turner has become a modern-day town crier with guitar. Last month, he played Wembley Arena in London and was bestowed the ultimate honour of having Billy Bragg open the evening.

by Dave Bookman

Location: Princess Ave. Playhouse, 40 Princess Ave., St. Thomas, ON

Sometimes a rock concert means more to a community than anyone might have expected. Such was the case recently at the Princess Ave. Playhouse in St. Thomas, Ontario, when East Coast musician Joel Plaskett checked in for a show with his band, The Emergency.

Talk about an intimate venue: the Playhouse is a converted church, complete with surprisingly comfortable pews sufficient to hold about 140 people. A curved balcony hangs nearly over the stage, adding to the distinctive atmosphere. Plaskett and his bandmates, bassist Chris Pennell and drummer Dave Marsh, seemed simultaneously amused and invigorated by the layout. “This place is cool, St. Thomas, look at this place,” Plaskett remarked early in the set. “St. Thomas — who’d of thought?”

Yes, who’d of thought … (more…)

In Avening, Ontario:

In Montreal, Quebec:

In Yarmouth, Nova Scotia:

Nova Scotia singer-songwriter Mo Kenney recently released a seven-inch single featuring the tracks “Eden” and “The Great Escape.”

The single is out now on Joel Plaskett’s New Scotland Records, and the Canadian rocker is set to produce Kenney’s debut album later this year. The two will also be sharing the stage in Plaskett’s hometown of Dartmouth, NS, on June 9 as part of the Exclaim! 20th Anniversary Concert Series.

Enter the Exclaim! contest for a chance to win tickets to the intimate, sold-out show, where Kenney will be sharing the bill with Plaskett and the Scoop Outs.

Listen to Mo Kenney’s “The Great Escape” here.