More COVID-19 Coronavirus-Related Concert Cancellations & Updates For The Spring

After a two day sojourn into single topics from the E.U.P., we have a new news post today, including updates on an upcoming concert (we hope!) and a related video upload, but let's begin with the latest updates regarding the ongoing COVID-19 coronavirus pandemic and it's affect on local hard rock and punk concerts. On Monday, Ontario Premier Doug Ford and Michigan Governor Gretchen Whitmer issued stay-at-home orders, ordering only essential services to stay open as part of the efforts to contain the coronavirus. Click here and here to read news articles from the province and state about these announcements, or visit your favourite news outlets. In Michigan, the executive order is for 3 weeks for the period starting yesterday and ending April 13th, while in Ontario, the stay-at-home period is just 2 weeks starting today and ending on April 7th, though those could always be extended if things aren't appreciably better by next month.

Of course, concert venues and nightclubs are not and should not be considered essential services, so concert cancellations in the above stay-at-home periods are now inevitable. That said, the only shows directly affected by this news that were listed on the site are Scarkazm's planned St. Ignace Kewadin Casino stops on the April 10th weekend. As such, they have been removed from our calendar, but look for the guys back in the E.U.P. this fall! The Ontario stay-at-home order ends sooner than Michigan's, so for now, the April 10th shows in Sault Ontario from touring tribute bands Sandman and Just Heart are not directly affected, but the status of either one isn't looking amazing, especially as Sandman's Thunder Bay show on the 11th has already been postponed. Neither the bands nor venues have announced that they are off as of this writing, but we will keep you posted. One concert that was definitely cancelled over the weekend was the Whoop-Szo concert at The Sault Ste. Marie Museum on April 16th, for very obvious reasons.

As well, Ottawa thrash quartet Lycanthro have postponed their upcoming Tour of the Wolf, including their planned Rockstar Bar stop on April 21st, as announced in this Facebook video regarding their upcoming plans, though local promoters have not corroborated this on social media. No word as of yet regarding the First Jason concert on April 26th, but absolutely stay tuned for updates. Just in case anyone was wondering, I am not listing Tym Morrison's usual weekly matinee shows at Gliss or Sault Michigan hard rock band Tarnished's Thursday matinees at Biggby Coffee until we hear from either venue that their dine-in operations have resumed. I would have been mentioning their April slates in this weekend's concert previews, had we had any shows to preview, so I just wanted to be clear and up front regarding those weekly arrangements. Looking ahead to May, promoters The Diamond Mine Agency have revealed that they have a backup date in place for the Buckcherry concert at Soo Blaster on May 13th if they have to postpone it, so visit the official Facebook event page for more on that front.

Looking ahead to May, one concert that month that could very well be affected by COVID-19 is local/Thompson, Manitoba alt-hard rock solo artist Mike Haggith's planned CD release concert at LopLops Lounge on Friday, May 15th. Last week, Mike posted on his Facebook page to clarify that, as of then, the release show was still on, but they would absolutely postpone the event to a later date if circumstances warrant it. However, like A Dire Setback this Saturday, Mike will still be releasing "If Ever Comes The Day" digitally and through streaming platforms on schedule, with in-person and mail delivery of CDs also available, so fans will have that to look forward to! Assuming the release concert goes on as planned, Mike announced his backing musicians for his set that night via the show's Facebook event page, so who's joining in? On drums is Re:Born's Brandan Glew, who was Mike's Din bandmate in their post-acid jam run and at his "The Warinside" release show in 2015.

Rather than his bass role with The Din and at the 2015 release party, Mike is playing live guitar this time, with A Dire Setback bassist Matt Quinn rounding out the apparent trio lineup in May. Solid and talented choice, though will this be the second release concert that Matt's involved with in a two month span to be postponed due to the coronavirus? I sincerely hope not, but Mike did elaborate on much of the above notes in this new Facebook video embedded below, where he also revealed that there could be a live-streamed event of some kind on May 15th if the concert is postponed, and he even teased plans to film a music video for a single from the album in the Soo if things level out. In any event, he is teasing a new single release and more info about the songwriting in the interim. Give Mike's video a look, and stay tuned for updates on the release show and "If Ever Comes The Day", plus this month's YouTube Channel Profile tomorrow! Thanks everyone!