LOCAL CONCERT ALERTS (Fort Creek & Project 906), Plus Halloween Weekend Concert Previews!!

The Halloween weekend is upon us, usually a strong time for heavier concerts in the Soo, but in 2022, it's not really the case this time. There are multiple venues hosting events on both sides of the border, but heavier groups are mostly not involved (though Tarnished will be playing out of our area in the Kewadin Casino in Manistique this weekend). Pandemic-related recovery and Halloween being on a Monday this year are likely contributing factors, and J.D.'s Halloween party has not been held since he moved. That said, what is going down for hard rock concerts this weekend lies below, but first, here's some LOCAL CONCERT ALERTS for next month!

Sault Michigan blues/hard rock quartet Project 906 will headline the Halloween party at The Islander Bar in nearby Hessel THIS SATURDAY NIGHT, but in a new confirmation, they'll also return to The Strongs Tavern in nearby Eckerman on Saturday, November 5th! The Strongs Tavern date was announced by band & venue earlier this week, and coincides with Heather's birthday (I believe she is one of the higher level staff there), but the tavern's Facebook page implies that it's "everyone's birthday", listing four other names. Regardless, hopefully 906's upbeat hard rock classics set the mood well for the occasion next week! Project 906 last played in Eckerman last month, but their previously announced Islander Bar gig will be their second there in October 2022. Of course, this is 100% a Halloween party, so costumes are encouraged, and there will also be a a pumpkin carving contest, and cash prizes await!

Yes, there will be "spooky drink specials" too. These dates have 21+ age limits, no cover charges, and 8:00 PM start times as recently normal. Should be a good time for fans in the E.U.P. this weekend and next, so definitely visit the above links for more on Project 906's next two shows, don't miss them in Hessel this Saturday night, and here they are live!

Next up, Sault Ontario southern hard rock quintet Fort Creek will end their almost three months-long hiatus when they hit Reggie's West for concerts on Friday, November 11th & Saturday, November 12th! Last seen at the same venue on August 19th, this will accurately mark their return in "late fall" as was teased when they announced the hiatus in the first place, and while they haven't explained why they took the break, remember that they do still have a debut EP in the works, and the band photo on the show's poster is new to Facebook. Hopefully Fort Creek are back ready & raring to go with their southern fried brand of hard rock covers and originals for fans in the west end in two weeks' time! Not unlike other Reggievelt dates, these are 19+ events with no announced cover charge, and a 9:30 PM start time is advertised for both nights. Visit the above links for more on Fort Creek's return weekend next month, and stay tuned for updates from Fort Creek's camp when they come in!

Now back to this weekend's concert previews, and we'll resume at The Esquire Club, where local classic/hard rock cover quartet Obsession will finally make their return to the public stage TOMORROW & SATURDAY NIGHT! While they have played live in White River and at least one private event since, these will be Obsession's first public events in the Soo since Rotaryfest in July, and will mark the first time that a general audience in town can see them with new frontwoman Jessica Amadio, who replaced Valerie Powley shortly after her guest appearance at Rotaryfest. Obsession chose to take their time and gradually introduce Jess, so that does bode well for their preparation as a live act, and hopefully this weekend's shows are huge hits! Their first Esquire Club dates since April, tomorrow's show is standard fare (singer change aside), but Saturday's is absolutely a Halloween party with a costume contest to take part in.

Unspecified prizes await winners of the costume contest, and other Halloween frills are expected on Saturday, so keep everything in mind! Whether you're coming for business as usual tomorrow or the Halloween party the next night, Obsession's hard rock-leaning classic rock covers will await at 9:30 PM with a 19+ age limit and no cover charges. Visit the above links for more on the new look Obsession's first public test in city limits,  and here's Obsession (with Jess on backing vocals) at Rotaryfest! Ignore the thumbnail, it will start at Obsession on stage.

Finally, local acoustic classic/hard rock artist Tym Morrison will return to Shooters Downstairs Lounge for his third and final matinee concert of the month on SATURDAY! Moved from his prior Sunday scheduling there but still taking place in a matinee timeslot, this is the part of his current run of alternating weekend gigs at the 68 Dennis Street nightclub through at least November 12th, with country musician Leslie Cook playing in weekends where Tym isn't. As far as Halloween goes, Saturday's gig does not have any advertised seasonal tie-ins (whether Tym's very open religious beliefs are related is not for me to say), but Shooters will host classic rock cover band Mid Life Crysis for their proper Halloween party that night. which will also serve as the kick-off for the re-opening of the former Union Hall upstairs, which has been renamed The Queen of Hearts Club, and it will host comedy hypnotist Hernandez that evening before a Halloween video dance party.

Visit this SooToday article for more on the upgrades at 68 Dennis, but it's great to see that things have grown to this level, and with The Algonquin Hotel's venues still on their hiatus from live bookings, I do like that someone is trying to replicate the formula! Tym's unplugged classic & hard rock covers can be seen downstairs at Shooters on Saturday at 3:00 PM before any of the other events, this is a 19+ affair, and there's no cover charge. Visit Tym's and the venue's Facebook event pages for more details, and here's Tym live in concert earlier this year!

That's all for today, but stay tuned for more news and notes on the site in the days ahead! Thanks everyone!