Tag Archives: music-news

APRIL WINE to tour North America, as special guest to reunited TRIUMPH

This past year was a busy year for APRIL WINE, having toured the UK with Uriah Heep and Tyketto, then Canada with BTO and the Headpins, and then over to Europe to (again) join Uriah Heep and Heavy Pettin’. And 2026 looks like they’ll be on another bigger tour, supporting Triumph! Check out the press release, tour dates, and links below!

(From left to right. Roy Nichol, Richard Lanthier, Brian Greenway, Marc Parent
Photo Credit: Taylor Jones)

Fans of classic Canadian rock n’ roll must be overjoyed with not only the announcement of Triumph’s first North American tour in decades, but that they will have another one of the Great White North’s top rock bands supporting these spring dates: April Wine.  Running from April 22nd through June 6th, the tour will hit all the spots that both Triumph and April Wine amassed legions of fans over the years; Toronto, Edmonton, Calgary, St. Louis, San Antonio, New York, etc.

*Tickets are now on sale for all the shows, and can be ordered via this link:  https://www.livenation.com/artist/K8vZ917CqB0/triumph-events 

Comprised of members Brian Greenway (guitar), Richard Lanthier (bass), Roy Nichol (drums), and Marc Parent (lead vocals, guitar), this will not be the first time April Wine and Triumph have shared the stage before. Longtime fans may recall a show at the Municipal Auditorium in San Antonio, Texas on February 18, 1977, which served as Triumph’s major American debut and a significant breakthrough for the band.  Also, in San Antonio during March 1978, as part of a run of five shows in Texas for promoter JAM Productions. One fan recalled the lineup for this show as April Wine, Crack the Sky, and headliner Triumph. Both bands have a strong history with the state, as San Antonio radio station KISS-FM was an early supporter of Canadian hard rock acts, helping both bands gain a significant U.S. following.   

April Wine has been a staple in the rock music scene for over five decades. Known for their powerful ballads and rock anthems, the band has seen several lineup changes but has always stayed true to their roots. April Wine has weathered the storms of the music industry with remarkable resilience and the band continues to captivate audiences with their electrifying performances. Fans are eagerly awaiting the next show, ready to experience the magic that April Wine delivers.   

The journey began in 1969, marking the start of a legendary career in rock music. With hits like “Just Between You and Me”, “Sign of the Gypsy Queen”, “Roller”, “I Like To Rock”, “Say Hello”, “Oowatanite”, “Enough Is Enough”, “Rock N Roll Is A Vicious Game” and many more, April Wine has left an indelible mark on the music industry.  

Significant milestones include their induction into the Canadian Music Industry Hall of Fame in 2009, the Canadian Music Hall of Fame in 2010 and Canada’s Walk of Fame in 2023. These accolades are a reflection of their hard work, talent, and the significant role they have played in shaping the rock genre. April Wine’s ability to consistently deliver powerful performances and connect with audiences has earned them a place among the greats in rock history.    

Today, the band continues to tour, keeping the spirit of rock alive for their dedicated fanbase. And in 2026, they will bring their melodic and anthemic brand of rock once more to North America!

TOUR DATES:

CANADA

April 22 – Sault Ste. Marie, ON | GFL Memorial Gardens
April 24 – Toronto, ON | Scotiabank Arena
April 25 – Hamilton, ON | TD Coliseum
April 28 – Halifax, NS | Scotiabank Centre
April 29 – Moncton, NB | Avenir Centre
May 1 – Laval, QC | Place Bell (Montreal)
May 2 – Ottawa, ON | Canadian Tire Centre
May 5 – Winnipeg, MB | Canada Life Centre
May 7 – Edmonton, AB | Rogers Place
May 8 – Calgary, AB | Scotiabank Saddledome

UNITED STATES

May 13 – Rosemont, IL | Rosemont Theatre (Chicago)
May 14 – Milwaukee, WI | Miller High Life Theatre
May 16 – Kansas City, MO | Starlight Theatre
May 17 – St. Louis, MO | Hollywood Casino Amphitheater
May 20 – Irving, TX | The Pavilion at Toyota Music Factory (Dallas)
May 21 – San Antonio, TX | Frost Bank Center
May 22 – Houston, TX | Smart Financial Center at Sugar Land
May 24 – Tampa, FL | MIDFLORIDA Credit Union Amphitheater
May 26 – Atlanta, GA | Synovus Bank Amphitheater at Chastain Park
May 28 – Camden, NJ | Freedom Mortgage Pavilion (Philadelphia)
May 30 – Sterling Heights, MI | Michigan Lottery Amphitheatre at Freedom Hill (Detroit)
June 3 – Darien Center, NY | Darien Lake Amphitheater
June 5 – Wantagh, NY | Northwell at Jones Beach Theater (New York)
June 6 – Boston, MA | Leader Bank Pavilion

LINKS:

www.aprilwine.ca

https://www.facebook.com/AprilWineOfficial

https://www.instagram.com/aprilwineband

TRIUMPH to tour North America for 50th Anniversary

It’ll be 2026 soon, and what bands will fans of Canadian rock fan be looking to go see? RUSH….THE GUESS WHO…..APRIL WINE….TRIUMPH! Announced a couple of days ago, TRIUMPH has reunited, added a few players, and added APRIL WINE as the opening act for a 50th Anniversary tour of North America. The band last reunited in 2008, for 2 shows, and before that last toured with Rik Emmett, Mike Levine, and Gil Moore in 1988. Triumph, with Phil X in place of Emmett, was resurrected in ’92 for one more album and tour. Phil X is also involved again for this tour.

For this tour Triumph is adding a few players to help out. To clear things up, the band posted a few days ago – “We want to clear up something that popped up during today’s tour announcement: this is NOT a tribute band tour. This is a Triumph tour. We’re putting in the work to bring our show and our songs back to you, the fans. And to help us deliver a truly world-class show, we’ll be joined on-stage by a few friends – Todd Kerns and Brent Fitz from Slash’s band, and Phil X on loan from the mighty Bon Jovi. Big things ahead. We can’t wait to share it with you. See you on the road! – Gil, Rik & Mike

(Brent Fitz and Todd Kerns are also part of Canadian band Toque).

More recently Triumph has been the subject of a Documentary (Rock & Roll Machine, 2021), as well as a Tribute album earlier this year and most recently were honored by the Canadian Songwriters Hall Of Fame (see clip below).

LINKS:

I-Heart Radio interview with Gil Moore HERE.

SWEET – Platinum Rare 1

From Metalville (who’ve issued the latest new SWEET album – Full Circle, as well as reissued the previous 2 on vinyl – New York Connection and Isolation Boulevard), Platinum Rare 1 looks to be the same tracklisting as the 2021 RSD release Platinum Rare (w/ a different cover). This is being released as a 2 CD or 2 LP (red vinyl) set. I’m not sure where all these tracks are pulled from, but the SWEET in the 70s had an amazing run of albums starting with Sweet Fanny Adams. These guys could be pop/glam, hard rock or metal, or even a bit progressive. This set is full of classic Sweet outtakes, alternate mixes, demos… *Check out the press info & tracklisting below…

SWEET – one of the most legendary, influential, and enduring names in the history of rock music – will have the absolute collector’s album Platinum Rare 1 available in regular stores for the first time on May 23rd via METALVILLE RECORDS.

Platinum Rare 1 contains extremely rare recordings by the four original SWEET members.

The legendary glam/hard rock band continues to thrill fans all over the world to this day. Over the years, SWEET have sold more than 55 million records and reached 34 #1 chart positions.

The songs on Platinum Rare 1 come from the private archive of SWEET guitarist Andy Scott and were personally selected by him.

Fans of the band will be thrilled with this collection of rare and alternative takes and mixes. Many of the songs on the album have never before seen the light of day on a regular SWEET release.

Platinum Rare 1 is an absolute enrichment for every true fan of SWEET. 

Tracklisting
CD1:
1. Ballroom Blitz (Rough Mix)
2. IDC Jam
3. Midnight To Daylight (Outtake)
4. Show Me The Way (Alternative Mix)
5. Log One (That Girl) (Brian Vox)
6. Cover Girl (Band Demo)
7. Love Is Like Oxygen (Instrumental)
8. Windy City (Band Demo)
9. Falling In Love
10. Yesterday’s Hero
11. Live For Today (Rough Mix)
12. New Shoes

CD2:
1. Rebel Rouser (Steve Vocal)
2. Fire Engine
3. Blockbuster (Rough Mix)
4. Play All Night (Brian Vox)
5. Strong Love (Outtake)
6. Teenage Rampage (Rough Mix)
7. California Nights (Band Demo)
8. Hellraiser (Rough Mix)
9. Where Do We Go From Here
10. Silverbird (Band Demo)
11. Maggie
12. Lettres D’amour (Band Demo)
13. Lost Angels (Extended Rough Mix)

LINKS: