I Heart Edmonton

Commonwealth By Emil Tiedemann Imagine 60,000 rapturous men, women, and children - most at variant stages of drunkenness - pounding their soaked fists into pouring skies and chanting, “Oi! Oi! Oi!.” Picture a darkened football stadium full of adrenaline-hyped rock fanatics begging for 54-year-old Angus Young to strip off his trademark schoolboy uniform to bare his AC/DC undies!  Now try to imagine lightning bolts criss-crossing the ominous skies as Brian Johnson screams, “I’m a rolling thunder, a pouring rain...my lightning flashes across the sky”! I have no need to imagine such things, because I lived it when the band played the packed Commonwealth Stadium in the summer of 2009. That was an experience anyone there that night couldn’t possibly forget, and that was just one night!  Commonwealth has hosted many major concerts over the years, including Bob Dylan , Pink Floyd , Taylor Swift , U2 , The Police , Willie Nelson , Genesis , Tim McGraw , David Bowie , Bo...

The Concerts By Emil Tiedemann I was just 12 years old when I went to my very first concert. My buddy Peter and I were both “Straight Up” in love with Paula Abdul , and knew we had to see her as soon as we found out that she was coming to Edmonton to perform at what was then known as the Coliseum (with opening act Color Me Badd ).  We stood on the floor of the arena, barely able to see over the heads of the people in front of us, and sang along to every song in her repertoire. I know now how lame this sounds, but we were kids and love makes you do silly things! Paula Abdul, who happened to be my first-ever concert! Although it was years before I would ever go to another concert, they would eventually become part of what I did. It didn’t necessarily have to be at the arena or stadium either, because Edmonton seems to always be a tour stop for all the biggest names in the music industry, from AC/DC to Jay-Z , and anybody and everybody in between.  In fact, you m...

If I was stranded on a deserted island, what 10 essential albums would I want to keep me company? BY EMIL TIEDEMANN A COMMON question I tend to ask my friends, co-workers, or stand-offish strangers in the streets, is " What was the last CD you bought ?" Almost every time I'll get the same response, as they claim that it's been so long since they've actually bought one that they can't even remember. Some admit they don't buy CDs anymore, but rather legally, but mostly illegally, download their music for either their iPods or to burn a CD. That's the current state of the music industry. Who am I to judge, though? I download, too, but I also still like to go to the music stores, whether it be a Blackbyrd or an HMV , and have the actual music in my hands. I have 718 CDs (that's right, I counted!) and I don't plan on stopping there, because there's a simple little charm to having the real thing in your possession, instead of a digital co...

So much has happened over the last 12 months, and 'I Heart' is here to revisit the best (& worst) moments... BY EMIL TIEDEMANN I T'S been another exceptional year for the city of Edmonton, despite some unseasonably cold & record-breaking temperatures, an Oilers losing streak (or two), and that recession that everybody's been talking about. But, as is our intention, " I Heart Edmonton " is gonna try and stick to the good that has graced our growing metropolis...more or less. So, before I ramble on any further, let's recap some of my favourite or most memorable moments and experiences in my hometown during 2009! (Part 1 of 3): Best Fest of the Year There's literally dozens to choose from in " Festival City ," but one stands out for its record-setting season that was full of innovation and community spirit. The Fringe ! The 11-day live theatre event (August 13-23) recaptured its title as North America's #1 fringe festival, with ticke...

Come rain or high winds, as the old adage declares, the show must go on! BY EMIL TIEDEMANN I MAGINE 60,000 men, women and children--most at variant stages of drunkeness--pounding their soaked fists into pouring skies and chanting "Oi! Oi! Oi!" Imagine a darkened football stadium full of adrenaline-hyped rock fanatics begging for Angus Young , a 54-year-old Scot, to strip off his trademark schoolboy uniform to bare his AC/DC undies (see video below)! Now try and imagine lightning bolts criss-crossing the evening sky as Brian Johnson screams "I'm a rolling thunder, a pouring rain...my lightning flashes across the sky"! I have no need to imagine such things, for I lived it last night! The Wednesday, August 26, 2009 AC/DC concert at Edmonton's Commonwealth Stadium was a concert for the ages, and this city's most memorable in years, perhaps decades! It was a rare opportunity for a town in love with the rockers from 'Down Under' to converge u...