It’s comforting to know that a Toronto periodical is fiercely battling to retain it’s independence and direction. Not just comforting, but refreshing as well.
West End Phoenix is a new ad-free, non-profit monthly broadsheet that swims upriver against the flow of media consolidation, newspaper closures and journalism-as-content.
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The West End Phoenix Fundraiser featured President/Editor-in-Chief Dave Bidini’s band The Rheostatics , along with Whitehorse, poet Nasim Asgari, hosted by Tom Wilson and accompanied by the legendary guitarist Alex Lifeson of RUSH
Poet Nasim Asgari started off the evening with a well received, enthusiastic set of compelling wordplay.
Hamilton duo Whitehorse followed with a flamboyant set of garage, country-tinged rock.
The Rheostatics hit the stage, opening with, “Stolen Car”, “Try to Praise This Mutilated World” and “Music Is The Message”.
Alex Lifeson (RUSH) joined The Rheostatics for their popular song, “Claire”
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Don Kerr joined the festivities for a rousing rendition of Canadian 80’s new wave classic Rough Trade’s “High School Confidential”
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Host Tom Wilson joined the band for a rebellious cover of Velvet Underground cover “Waiting for Man”.
As Editor-in-Chief Dave Didini reminds us, “Giving the gift of newsprint is always cool eh.”
Visit West End Phoenix for subscription information:
www.westendphoenix.com
The Rheostatics Setlist:
- Stolen Car
- Try to Praise This Mutilated World
- Music Is The Message
- P.I.N.
- Northern Wish
- AC/DC On My Stereo
- Wanna Be A Robot?
- Albatross
- Claire (f. Alex Lifeson)
- Dope Fiends and Boozehounds (f. Alex Lifeson)
- High School Confidential (Rough Trade Cover w. Alex Lifeson & Don Kerr Vocals)
- Waiting For Man (Velvet Underground Cover w. Alex Lifeson & Tom Wilson Vocals)
