As always, I went to a lot of  shows this year, yet not as many as I would have liked due to other commitments like family and theatre. Here are some of my favourites by the month.
January
 Jan. 6 —One of last shows at all ages venue Attainable Records  and the last show for local punk / alternative rock trio Advertisement raising money for Lethbridge Shelter.
 Jan. 14— The Lethbridge Folk Club always brings in some excellent acts. It is always great to see Canadiana troubadour Tim Hus as we did when he played the Lethbridge College Cave for the Lethbridge Folk Club
 Jan 20— Calgary country singer Tom Phillips played a sold out show at the Slice  country music at a sold out Slice
Jan 21— One of my new favourites, Edmonton musician Kimberley MacGregor played several shows this year including one of several songwriters in the round. She played the Owl Acoustic Lounge with the Silkstones, Elliott Thomas and Burning Bridge.
 Jan. 21—Local metal band Tyrants of Chaos, who would sell out the Slice in December, almost sold out the Slice along with  Outrun the Arrow and Extrados
Jan. 26— Michael Bernard Fitzgerald played sold out solo show at Geomatic Attic. he’d return later in the year for a sold out show at the Slice with a full band.
Jan. 28— Edmonton based, Newfoundland born celtic rock band the Derina Harvey band rocked the Slice Celtic style with upbeat  Celtic rock music. They return to the Slice this January.

February
 Feb. 4— Scott Cook played one of many excellent Lethbridge Folk Club shows in support of his new CD
 Feb. 8— Boots and the Hoots playing one of many excellent Windy City Opry shows at the Slice.
Feb. 10— The Owl Acoustic lounge started adding spice to their Monday open mics with touring hosts,   this time with Kayla Luky and Rotary Park hosting.
Feb. 11— Local rock band Outrun the Arrow’ took over the Slice for a video shoot for their song “the Middle.”  
Feb. 18—There were lots of laughs with comedian Tom Green at  Studio 54.
Feb. 19 — As usual, this year featured lots of classic rock.  Loverboy was to play the Enmax later in the year, but Honeymoon Suite rocked Average Joes on a Sunday night.
 Feb. 20— Elkford blues rock band The Burn Ins  rocked the Owl Acoustic lounge in support of their new CD
Feb. 21— Moose Jaw singer songwriter Megan Nash made the first of several visits to Lethbridge at the Owl Acoustic Lounge
Feb. 25— Folk punk band Audio/Rocketry returned to the Slice. Joe Vickers from the band would later play a solo show at the Slice later in the year.
Feb. 26— Austin via Halifax and Austin blues band The 24th Street Wailers made their Lethbridge debut at the Geomatic Attic, playing one of three great Southern Alberta shows.

March
March 7— There was a great rock show with Montreal’s Dany Laj and the Looks with the Dirti Speshuls at the Slice.
 March 8— Old Man Luedecke ,brandishing his banjo , gave Lethbridge another chance  as he returned to the Slice to play for an attentive audience.
March 16—The Andrea Superstein Trio played beautiful jazz at Geomatic Attic
March 16  — The annual pre-St. Patrick’s Day party with the Real McKenzies is always  a highlight of the year and definitely March. This year they brought baseball punk band the Isotopes to Average Joes.
March 21— Multi-instrumentalist Ben Caplan visited the Geomatic Attic for sold out show.
March 23— Central B.C blues rock trio Devon Coyote made a long awaited return to the Owl with a new CD.
March 30— Winnipeg grunge/metal band Solhouds featuring Elise Roller of Go For the Eyes rocked The Owl Acoustic lounge.

April
April 6— Vancouver based indie rock band  Yukon Blonde played a sold out show at Average Joes
 April 13 — Calgary rock band Cowpuncher played one of their last shows at the Slice
 April 18—  Hamilton funnyman BA Johnston played one of three great shows at the Owl Acoustic lounge in support of his new CD Gremlins 3
 April 21 — Locomotive Ghost played one of several excellent modern indies rock shows at the Slice.
 April 25 — A great candidate for best pop show nobody saw Matinee and Fast Romantics at the Slice
April 25  — Juno award winning bluesman and harp master Paul Redidck finally got a sold out crowd in Lethbridge with a show at the Geomatic Attic, April 25 with MonkeyJunk’s Steve Marriner
April 28 — The Best roots/ folk show of the year in a year full of them was the long awaited return / reunion of Winnipeg Bluegrass/ punk band the D-Rangers who I’ve been following since they formed in Winnipeg/ Kenora back in the day and who took a seven year break. They tore up the Slice with uptempo punk tinged bluegrass music.
April 29 — Petunia played one of many great shows in Lethbridge including New Year’s Eve at the Slice and again on April 29 this time as a duo with Nathan Godfrey

May
 May 3— Calgary Celtic punk band the  River Jacks played one of several excellent punk shows at the Moose hall
 May 4 — Elliott Brood returned for a packed show at Average Joes.
 May 5 — Another great show nobody saw was Vancouver rock/ folk musician with Rodney DeCroo and his band at the Slice.
May 6— The best blues show everyone missed was Danny Brooks at Slice.
May 7 — South Country Fair songwriting competition was back this year and proved to be a touch decision for the judges who decided on winner Carter Felker who played a number of excellent local shows
 May 11— Another great show from Edmonton’s Kimberley MacGregor and Elliott Thomas at the owl Acoustic lounge.
May 11 — New Jersey punk rock veterans Hudson Falcons played an excellent show at the Moose hall with Streetlight Saints
May 12— Edmonton blues rock band  the Boogie Patrol always entertain as they did at the Slice in support of CD Man on Fire.
May 13— Eamon McGrath and his band played an intense show of folk punk at Owl Acoustic lounge
May 14  — Average Joes continued a successful run of Sunday night shows with country star George Canyon Average Joes.
May 17 Canadian Celtic punk veterans Mahones made long awaited return to the Slice in support of their anniversary CDs “The Hunger and the Fight part One and Two).

June
June 3 — Lethbridge said farewell to talented local singer Mwansa Mwansa who left for Toronto.
June 3 — Megan Nash returned to the Owl Acoustic lounge with Bears in Hazenmore. It was great to hear her backed by a band.
June 3— Calgary pop punk veterans Downway returned to Lethbridge to play the Moose Hall.
 June 8 — Calgary surf rock band the 427s played a trippy show at the Slice backed by a multi-media show as the background to their addictive surf rock
 June 9 —Lethbridge Girls Rock Camp band swap is always a fun event as local musicians mirror Lethbridge the Girls Rock Camp milieu by forming a band, writing a song and playing their first gig in a week.
June 14 — Northern Ontario, ukulele powered duo Twin Peaks returned to Owl for another excellent show.
 June 16— Kimberley MacGregor played another outstanding shows  at the Owl, June 16 with John Guliak, Levi Cuss and Curtis Phagoo
June 16 — It was great to hear Manotick based rock band Hollerado play a smaller venue again as they played a close to sold out show at the Slice.
 June 17 — Jazzfest is always a highlight of June. While I missed Colin James at the Enmax Centre, I caught Rooster Davis  and Ann Vriend at the Owl, June 17.
June 21— The Owl Acoustic Lounge hosted several Pride week events including  an excellent show with pop punk band Jock Tears and Supermoon
 June 24—Prism play the hits at Average Joes in another excellent regular classic rock show.
 June 23-25 —Rotary Dragon Boat Races featured plenty of local  musicians playing in sweltering heat.
 June 28 — The always fun Matadors played their usual entertaining psychobilly show at the Moose Hall. To add to their devil rock mystique, they added a red clad devil figure overseeing the show in the background.
June 28  —the Way Down Wanderers an amazing young bluegrass band from Chicago tore up the Slice in one of several fantastic roots shows at the Slice this year.
Twinning celebrations Nikka Yuko Japanese Gardens but I unfortunately missed it and the Amanda Marshall concert at the Enmax which they sponsored.
 June 30 —Taylor Ackerman returned for a visit with new music with Global Acid Reset, June. 30 at the Slice

July
Shakespeare in the park presented a fun western version of a Comedy of Errors throughout July and August.


 July 5 — Eileen and the In Betweens played feminist folk at the Owl Acoustic Lounge
July 7 —Peter and the Wolves showed their boogie woogie, piano powered side at the Owl Acoustic lounge.
July 7— several groups held  fundraisers for Youth One. Alyssa McQuade and Coyote Junction played  an excellent one with the Cody Hall band at Galt Gardens
 July 9 — Youth One also benefited from an outdoor concert behind Owl with Bent 8 and other local performers.
 As usual, the two main live music venues close for South Country Fair in Fort Macleod. I only caught one of the days, but enjoyed the Johnny McCuaig band and 24th Street Wailers on the Saturday night.
July 26-27—The Geomatic Attic hosted a big outdoor festival by SouthminsterUnited Church. The Wide Skies Music Festival featured a big outdoor festival, July 26 with 24th Street Wailers, Deep Dark Woods and a lot of local talent. I only caught 24th Street Wailers and sets by Shaela Miller and Ryland Moranz.
July 27 —  Phil and Dave Alvin and Lindi Ortega played exceptional shows at the indoor portion of thew Wide Skies Music Festival. Especially Dave Alvin and Phil Alvin, who played blues, roots and songs from their old band, the Blasters.
July 28 — Bobby Dove and Joey only played a sparsely attended, but excellent show at the Owl Acoustic Lounge.

August
Aug. 4  — Puttin On The Foil put on a fun punk/ country party at the Slice.
Aug 12 — Hamilton folk singer Pat Maloney lit up the Owl with a solid set of folk music and a folk version of the Cars’ Just What I needed.
Aug. 18— The Multi-venue FLIPfest fem positive festival opened at Owl Acoustic Lounge.
 Shiverettes were a highlight of this show.
 Aug. 18—There were several fun local hard rock shows this month including Outrun the Arrow at the Slice and Scotch Whiskey Limousine,
Aug. 25 — B.C. Folk duo Clayton and Joelle sang lovely harmonies and would return to the Owl in November.
 Aug. 25— the Most eclectic folk and roots show  of the year featured one of my favourites Erin Ross and Columbia Jones who incorporated a didgeridoo into their show at the Slice.
Aug. 25 —One of several Whoop Up Days highlights was a big show with the Glorious Sons and Steve Keenan Band,
Aug. 23  — Whoop Up Days expanded their line up and venues, holding a couple of their bigger shows on a stage by the grandstand. .38 Special and April Wine played all of their big ’70s and ’80s hits for an enthusiastic crowd.
 Aug. 28 — Whole there were lots of great punk shows, a low light featured peeved touring bands S—t Talkers and Perception of Pain who had to be relocated to the Onion at the last minute, but played great shows anyway.
Aug. 31 — There were a lot of big fundraising concerts for community members in need this year. One of the was the Busted up fundraiser for Derek Hoyle at Owl ,  featuring lots of local band including Jon Martin, New roots band Crooked Creek Warblers, with special guest Dave McCann Don Cassell and Dil Jopp.

September
 Sept. 2 — September opened with an  Impressive show of technical playing with Moon Runners at the Owl Acoustic Lounge.
Sept. 2-3 — September meant there was pretty much a  big outdoor festival happening every week. The University of Lethbridge celebrated their 60th anniversary with the  Shine On music Festival. I caught a great show from Washboard Union, Mother Mother , but missed a rare local show from Corb Lund. I did catch a big band wars featuring an eclectic array of local bands which was won by rappers the AWD Fellows and Adequate
Sept. 4 —Country star Aaron Pritchett’s annual show at Average Joes was a  highlight of the year as always.
Sept. 6 — Blueprint Records  celebrated 10 years with a big show at the Slice with Jay Arner ’s band.
 Sept. 8 — Big rock show Cope played a lot of excellent local shows including a fun one with Calgary’s Woodhawk at the Slice.
Sept. 9 —  Freshfest at the U of L featured Said the Whale who made it to the big stage .I remember seeing them at the Slice when they were just starting.
 Sept. 11 —Due to being in Calgary, the show I was most devastated to miss was the return of The Weber Brothers at the Slice. I only caught the last big jam at the end of the show. .
 Sept. 11 —Winnipeg folk punk Greg Rekus returned to the  Owl
 Sept. 13 —Folk duo the Mayhemingways played a couple of excellent shows this year they were at the Slice for the Windy City Opry
Sept. 15 — Kingston’s Tom Savage finally got a good crowd at the Slice,
 Sept. 16 —Love and Records  was amazing at Galt Gardens with rockabilly band Peter and the Wolves focusing on their piano based rock and roll, Weaves  and Cold Specks played experimental pop for an enthusiastic crowd.
 Sept. 17—I had my  favourite interview of the year with a musician/ author Garnet Rogers , the younger brother of folk legend Stan Rogers, who played a sold out folk club show,
Sept. 19 — the Sadies played a great psychedelic rock show at Geomatic Atic.
Sept. 19 — BA Johnson played several crazy shows at the Owl Acoustic lounge this year including Sept. 19.
Sept. 23 — Couleefest at Lethbridge College, Sept. 23
Sept. 24 — Emerson Drive played a great country show with Emerson Drive on a Sunday at Average Joes.
Sept. 29— Local classic rockers The Chevelles played fundraiser at Average Joes for Lethbridge Girls Rock Camp who got their equipment stolen
Sept. 29-30— Oktoberfest Galt Gardens featured a touch of German culture with German bands, food and beer
Sept. 30—Jay Bowcott played one of many local shows at the Owl Acoustic Lounge.
Sept. 30 — Five Alarm Funk played Canada Day this year in Henderson Lake Park, which I unfortunately missed. However Edmonton’s Klusterfunk were heavily influenced by them, so it was good to catch their show at the Slice.
Sept. 30— Local bands supported a good cause by playing a big fundraiser at Honker’s Pub for victims of the September wildfires in Waterton

October
I had a couple of my favourite interviews with bands playing the Enmax Centre in October, though I missed their shows, but at least I got to chat to the  Nitty Gritty Dirt Band and Foreigner. October was marked by a lot of pop music and Edmonton bands coming to play.
Oct. 7 — Ivory Hours played the Slice for barely a dozen people.
 Oct. 4 — On the other hand, Scenic Route to Alaska returned to Lethbridge to play a packed Slice.
 Oct. 7— Edmonton blues/jazz musician Vissia returned to the Owl Acoustic lounge
 Oct. 10 —Edmonton’s Royal Foundry brought an array of instruments to the Slice including a keytar, digitized percussion and lots of  manic energy.
Oct. 13 —I had to cut Dethfest short at the Smokehouse had to cut short to see Tallest to Shortest at Slice with barely anybody in audience.
 Dirti Speshuls played one of several excellent shows opening forTallest to Shortest.
Oct. 15. The Lethbridge Folk Club had another sold out show at the Lethbridge College Cave with  Cave Connie Kaldor and  her family.
Oct. 15  —The Moulettes put a unique twist on British pop music by incorporating a lead cello at the Geomatic attic.
 Out of control wildfires continued through October including including one in the coulees luckily there was live music to take our minds off it.
 Oct. 17 —The  Best surprise opening act of the year was Terra Lightfoot and her band who opened for Whitehorse  for the Geomatic Attic and almost stole the show.
Oct. 18  — Bend Sinister returned to the Slice and  reliving past 10 years making ’70s style, organ powered rock and roll.
 Oct. 20— local jazz/ folk band the Junkman’s Quire had a busy year, playing throughout the year including a CD release party for their self titled debut  at the Owl Acoustic Lounge and a successful show at the Lethbridge Folk Club in November.
Oct. 20 —Scotchtoberfest at Average Joes featured Cal Toth with a keytar plus Adequate and numerous others including members of the Lethbridge Fire pipes and Drums stepping up to join the band and on their own.
Oct. 21 — Local bands played a fundraiser at Legends for Angela Entz who was severely injured in a workplace accident.
Oct. 25 — One of the highlights of the year was  Matt Patershuk and Steve Dawson who played the Slice, Oct. 25, but unfortunately nobody there to see it.
Oct. 29 —One Bad Son played another  great Sunday night shows at Average Joes.

November
 November was marked by a lot of theatrical productions including two from Hatrix Theatre, Little Shop of Horrors and 12 angry Jurors, New West’s production of the dark comedy Vigil and  Playgoers of Lethbridge’s successful  dinner theatre the Savannah Sipping Society.
Nov. 1 — Barney Bentall and the Cariboo Express played the Southminster United Church with Leeroy Stagger and others to raise money for Youth One.
 Nov. 11— Jon Martin released the new The New Weather Machine “Seas of Dawn” with a successful show at the owl Acoustic Lounge which he recorded with Drummer Kenny Aranoff
 Nov. 17 —FemeWave
Nov. 17  Del Barber Geomatic Attic
Nov. 22 Joe Vickers
Nov. 30 — AES fundraiser Fei Fei Du and Sydeshow, Nov. 30.

December
 December was all about Christmas. There were lots of  sold out shows this month including the Lethbridge Symphony Orchestra’s presentation of the Nutcracker at the University Theatre.
Dec. 1 —Leeroy Stagger, Dave McCann and John Wort Hannam sold out Highway 3 roots revue show at the Geomatic Attic.
Dec. 4 — The Geomatic Attic had a lot of great shows this year, winding things down with a great blues and roots show featuring Suzie Vinnick and Tony D of MonkeyJunk.
Dec. 13  — The Slice featured a sold out show from Michael Bernard Fitzgerald and his band at the Slice.
Dec. 15— Joey Only at the Owl
Dec. 16 —Sold out Tyrants of Chaos, Caste of shadows and Bring Your Own Bodies at Very Metal Christmas.

Dec.31— 2017 ended with brutal record setting cold and lots of snow. But there were several live shows including Papa King at the Slice and Adequate at the Owl Acoustic Lounge.

— By Richard Amery, L.a. Beat Editor