Walking onto a stage with cans of Guinness perched atop every amp, Flogging Molly worked hard at entertaining what was easily TURF’s largest crowd of staggering drunks, which regularly, wouldn’t have offered much surprise, except when it’s taken into consideration that alcoholic beverages at the festival were priced at nine […]
Arts & Culture
The Ontarion’s arts and culture articles cover the local artistic scene, including news, interviews, and reviews.
TURF reviews: The Hold Steady at Fort York – July 6, 2013
When The Hold Steady took the west stage at TURF, frontman Craig Finn commented on how, at lots of concerts, bands don’t need introductions, modestly proposing, “We do.” Indeed, the band had its share of lead-ins. TURF co-presenter Donny Kutzbach from Funtime Presents, Canadian sports broadcaster Dave Hodge, and even […]
TURF reviews: The Lowest of the Low at Fort York – July 6, 2013
Seeing The Lowest of the Low listed on TURF’s lineup hinted at some programmed disregard of the roots music promised by the nomenclature of Toronto Urban Roots Fest, but not disregard that was unwelcome. Giving the audience a chance to hear one of the greatest Canadian singles of the ’90s, […]
TURF reviews: Frank Turner & The Silent Souls at Fort York – July 6, 2013
“Because punk is for the kids who never fit in with the rest,” Frank Turner sings in “Four Simple Words.” But his stuff’s not really for those same kids. Some have credited Frank Turner with a folk-punk sound (maybe for the Black Flag tattoo on his wrist or the “FTHC” […]
TURF reviews: Matt Mays at Fort York – July 6, 2013
Walking onto the (west facing) east stage at TURF in the middle of the afternoon and dressed in a denim shirt layered over with a heavy looking leather vest – festival appropriateness aside – some of the audience might have wondered if Matt Mays knew what he was getting into […]
TURF reviews: Dawes at Fort York – July 6, 2013
Travelling from Los Angeles, CA, Dawes brought to TURF folk music routed through a vintaged rock disposition. The group captivates audiences with lyric-based songs delivered over guitar play that sees frontman Taylor Goldsmith rendering neck-squeezing chords that make full use of his instrument’s six strings. That instrumentation’s complimented by brother […]
TURF reviews: Skydiggers at Fort York – July 6, 2013
Celebrating 25 years as a band, with a sound and charisma falling somewhere between that of The Tragically Hip and Blue Rodeo, and having once shared a label with incendiary noise rock group Sonic Youth, when Toronto roots rock band Skydiggers played TURF it raised the question as to why […]
TURF reviews: The Felice Brothers at Fort York – July 6, 2013
Day three of TURF brought fans the stylings of a hillbilly jack-of-all-trades five-piece formally known as The Felice Brothers. Switching off on vocal duties and instrument responsibilities, and ranging in sound as a result, The Felice Brothers showed Toronto what a democratic Americana act from Catskills, NY can do to […]
TURF reviews: Hannah Georgas at Fort York – July 6, 2013
After releasing a self-titled record in 2012 that distanced itself from her previous acoustic work in its pursuit of a more atmospheric synthpop, singer-songwriter Hannah Georgas followed suit at TURF, sticking to her newer material, even if it meant ignoring the inaugural urban roots festival’s designation. Not that it – […]
TURF reviews: Larry and his Flask at Fort York – July 6, 2013
Those who know Larry and his Flask can expect to witness a wild and crazy stage party when they see the band live. Playing adrenaline fueled bluegrass folk music with a gypsy punk ethos, the group is known for members that refuse to stay put; even their drummer refuses […]
About
The Ontarion publishes independent, student-produced news, opinion, and commentary for University of Guelph students so that they can make informed decisions in their lives. To do this, The Ontarion provides learning opportunities and training in journalism, media production, leadership, board governance, and other aspects of nonprofit news.
The Ontarion is the University of Guelph’s independent student newspaper. It began in 1951 as part of the Ontario Agricultural College and then began to represent the entire University of Guelph once it amalgamated in 1964. The Ontarion incorporated in May 1970 as The Ontarion, Inc., a not-for-profit corporation registered with the province of Ontario.