LOCAL CONCERT ALERTS (Tym Morrison & Soundcheck), Plus Weekend Concert Previews!!

The final concert weekend of 2018 is upon us, but before we begin this slate of concert previews, just some clarifications. Due to the amount of hard rock shows coming up, we'll be holding our preview of Saturday night's Project 906 show in Hulbert Township, Michigan for our next news post to spread things out. That will likely some on Saturday morning, in conjunction with previews of New Year's Eve shows on Monday night that hit our radar. Now, here's what you should know to start this weekend, including some LOCAL CONCERT ALERTS, two on SHORT NOTICE!

Sault Ontario classic/hard rock cover quartet Soundcheck will end 2018 with a concert weekend at The Esquire Club TOMORROW & SATURDAY NIGHT! Apologies for the short notice, the band only announced the gigs via their Facebook event page yesterday, though unlike their Esquire Club shows over the November 3rd weekend, the guys at least plugged these online beforehand! Last seen at The Rockstar Bar this past Friday, Soundcheck are describing TOMORROW & SATURDAY's shows as harbouring "post Christmas shenanigans", and if you like their hard rocking blend of classic hits, definitely consider a trip to this popular Second Line West venue this weekend! As usual for Soundcheck's Esquire Club stops, expect 19+ age limits, 9:30 PM start times, and no announced cover charges. Visit the above links for more details, and here's Soundcheck live last month!



Next up, local hard rock singer/guitarist Tym Morrison will return to Gliss Restaurant on Spring Street for acoustic matinee concerts TOMORROW & SATURDAY NIGHT, but we'll also start adding his first announced gigs of 2019 to our concert calendar today as well! Yes, his long-term arrangement at Gliss will continue into the new year, with SooToday's events calendar confirming that he'll be back there on Friday, January 4th, while he will also play a nighttime concert at The Roadhouse Bar & Grill that same day. At press time, this is as far as Tym/Gliss have given for the new year on SooToday (not even for Saturday the 5th yet), but stay tuned for confirmation! Note that Tym's website still lists regular Gliss shows weekly through October 2032, as well as sporadic Road House gigs through June of next year, but again, we take Tym's shows a month at a time on purpose. You can take in Tym's skilled and prolific setlist tomorrow, Saturday, and on January 4th at 6:00 PM each night.

His 19+ Road House gig on the 4th is at 10:00 PM, and none of these have announced cover charges. Hopefully we see much more of Tym Morrison's entertaining solo shows well into the new year, but don't miss him this weekend before the new year's up! Here he is live, and stay tuned on Saturday for our preview of his advertised Gliss show on New Year's Eve!



Also this weekend... well, actually TONIGHT, local death/extreme metal quartet Winkstinger will make their Soo Blaster debut at True North Talent Entertainment's live (post-)Christmas show! The lone heavier act on a big hybrid genre concert at this fast-rising downtown venue, Winkstinger will end their 2018 calendar by delivering a metal blast on this largely rap-centric event, and if you like hip-hop, this concert will be right up your alley! Among the openers, there is one other band (surf rock quartet The Dynowaves), but a stacked lineup of rappers will make up the majority of acts, with True North Talent Entertainment co-owners Ryan "RRated" Derasp and Chuck "Kid Majick" Charrette advertised as headliners. Toronto rapper Gilly Gadan will also be in town for this one, with the remaining slots belonging to local MCs Trace Prince,  Cyriouss, Mikey Thomas, Reeder, and Sawbe. Note that a performer named DQ is listed on the Facebook event page description, but is not credited elsewhere on promotional materials.

Emceed by "MC ShakaDoctor", this concert has $10 advance tickets, a $15 door charge, and a $150 VIP tickets for table seating for 5 and a complimentary bottle of champagne. Some sort of door prize draw is also expected tonight, a 10:00 PM start time is expected, and you definitely must be 19 to attend. This is an intriguing event, and it'll be interesting to hear how it goes over, especially at the still somewhat new venue and how metal and surf rock will fit on a large hip hop bill. Hopefully there's a solid turnout, and if you like rap, check out the above performers to see what they bring to the table! See above for more details, and here's Winkstinger live!



Finally for today, let's head to LopLops Lounge, where local Celtic punk quintet Dustin Jones & The Rising Tide will headline TOMORROW NIGHT! Unless you saw them in Thessalon, this will be your first chance to see The Rising Tide on stage since Rotaryfest, and while this will just be their third local show of 2018, they've had a solid return year, with a newly expanded lineup, recent studio work, and some high profile dates here and elsewhere, why not help them send 2018 off with a bang? Before Dustin, Liam, the Jaaskelainens, and Chris hit the stage, your openers will be local country pop duo The Steeletown Girls (featuring ex-Din guitarist Tammy Hill), and this should be a strong opportunity for her and Morgan to make some new fans before the year's out! Presented by Dustin's own Tidal Records, this 19+ concert has a 9:00 PM start time, and admission is $10 at the door, at this link, and at a handful of in-person retailers (The Rad Zone, Case's Music, and Thomas Walls School of Music.)

As the last punk concert of 2018 in the Soo, genre fans will want to check out the action at LopLops tomorrow night, so don't miss out then, and I have a feeling The Tide have even more up their sleeves in 2019! Visit the official Facebook event page for more details, and here's Dustin & company live!



That's all for today, but stay tuned for this month's CD review next, followed by our Project 906 and New Year's Eve previews on Saturday, if all goes according to plan! Thanks everyone!