Going on tour is hard. You’re away from home for months at a time. There’s little sleep, bad food, too many drugs, a surfeit of alcohol, late nights, temptations into bad behavior, crazy people, and that bass player who refuses to wash his feet—probably because he’s on his phone moaning to his girlfriend about how miserable he is.

All that occupies about 22 hours of the day. The best times come when you’re at the venue. There’s the excitement of the lead-up, the after-show satisfaction, and, in between, the gig itself.

But every show is different. A different city. A different place to sleep. Vans, buses, and—if you’re lucky—airplanes. For that time on the road, your sanctuary becomes the dressing room, the one place over which you have some measure of control—if you know what you’re doing.

This brings me to the concert rider, the part of the contract with the promoter that specifies what an act has to be provided with before, during, and after a show.

Once the band arrives, the road manager is the point person. He or she has to make sure the promoter adheres to the terms of the rider.

Most of the details are pretty mundane because they’re basically logistical: the times of the load-in and load-out; electrical requirements and the number of local electricians required to make them happen; how many forklifts and drivers are needed to move gear around; catering for the crew; parking for the tour buses; how merch sales are going to work. That kind of thing.

Where things get interesting are the artist’s requirements—the things they need backstage to ensure they’re in a good headspace to play a great show. Mess up the rider and the promoter runs the risk of having a pouty, petulant, and otherwise pissed-off performance.

And I get it. If you’re an artist and you don’t get what you need before a gig, then you’re going to feel disrespected.

Coming up with a list of requests that can be enforced night after night, venue after venue, city after city, and country after country is a delicate and essential thing. And let’s just say some bands are better than others at this sort of thing.

Welcome to the wild world of the backstage rider.

Songs heard on this show:

• NEFFEX, Backstage
• Foo Fighters, Rope
• Killers, When You Were Young
• Queens of the Stone Age, No One Knows
• Johnny Cash, Hurt
• Morrissey, Every Day is Like Sunday
• Beck, Loser
• Jack White, Lazaretto

This is Eric Wilhite’s playlist.

The Ongoing History of New Music can be heard on these stations. Don’t forget that there’s a podcast version, too, in case you miss any episodes. Get them for free wherever you get your podcasts.

• 102.1 The Edge/Toronto – Sunday night at 7pm
• Q107/Toronto – Sunday night at 9pm
• Live 88-5/Ottawa – Saturdays at 9am and Sundays at 6pm.
• 107.5 Dave-FM/Kitchener – Sunday nights at 11pm
• FM96/London – Sunday nights at 8pm
• Power 97/Winnipeg – Sunday nights at 10am and 10pm
• 107-3 The Edge/Calgary – Sundays at 10am and 10pm
• Sonic 102.9/Edmonton – Sunday at 8am and 8pm
• The Zone/Victoria – Sunday at 8am and 9pm
• The Fox/Vancouver – Sundays at 10anm and 10pm
• The Goat Network/Interior BC
• Surge 105/Halifax – Sunday at 7pm
• WAPS/WKTL The Summit/Akron, Canton, Cleveland, Youngstown – Mon-Fri at 9pm

© 2025 Global News, a division of Corus Entertainment Inc.

Virtually every single song delivered to me by the majors and the big indie labels this week for New Music Friday were Christmas songs. Almost. Every. Single. One. Not that there’s anything wrong with that, but that’s not exactly what we do here unless it’s something really cool and unusual. Let’s instead focus on the exceptions.

Singles

1. Babyshambles, Dandy Hooligan (Independent)

Yes, this is Pete Doherty’s band. They haven’t released anything new in 12 years, but with a UK tour booked (the first in 11 years) and with the state of the world being what it is, they’ve come back with a fascist-basher.

2. Chet Faker, This Time for Real (Frontside)

Chet Faker (Nicholas James Murphy to his mom and to fans who got into the music he released under his real name) is an award-winning indie darling from Australia who is prepping for the release of an album entitled A Love for Strangers (February 13). There will be a concerted attack on North America with a 2026 headline tour with shows in Vancouver, Toronto, and Montreal next May. If you need a feel good song this weekend, this might be it.

3. Hollerado, What Killed Elvis Presley? (Royal Mountain)

Thought Hollerado had called it quits back in 2019? Me, too. Now, though, they appear to have second thoughts about retiring. To the shock of all fans, they have an EP entitled Start a Band that leads off with a question about who offed The King. A sold-out Canadian tour started last week. Warning: Earworm ahead.

4. New Found Glory,  Treat Yourself (Pure Noise Records)

Here’s another set-up for 2026. It’s the third overall single for their next album, which is due on February 20. This will be the band’s first full album in six years. Having a hard time with life these days? This song may help.

5. Papa Roach, Braindead feat. Toby Morse (New Noize/ADA)

Yes, a version of this song came out a while ago, but the band has decided to release a live version featuring Toby Morse from the hardcore band, Hazen Street. This is only being serviced to Canadian radio ahead of a cross-country tour that starts on November 25 in Vancouver.

6. Silversun Pickups, The Wreckage (New Machine Recordings)

Leader Brian Aubert says that the band wanted to write a “bass song in the vein of The Cure or Jane’s Addiction. Trust me, you’ll hear it immediately. This is the first single from their seventh studio album, Tenterhooks (their first on on their own label) on February 6.

Albums

1. Finger Eleven, Last Night On Earth (Better Noise Music)

Yes, it’s been ten years since the last Finger Eleven studio record. We’re not counting the greatest hits record from 2023, but that collection did inject new life into the band and prompted them to start work on new music. Credit their cover of Pink Floyd’s Welcome to the Machine–a new recording-–from that collection. Watch for the collaboration with Filter on one song.

2. Steve Mahabir, Peace Love War & Hate (AMG/Uni/Big Canoe Music)

If you follow my New Music Friday regularly, you’ll have heard the advance singles from Steve Mahabir’s solo record. Ex of Toronto’s Groovy Religion, Steve has turned in a strong record that should reinforce the guy’s ability as a rocker. Steve says, “This album is about the battles we fight — in our homes, in our hearts, and around the world.” It was also the last album recorded and produced by Canadian Grammy winner Peter Moore.

3. Midlake, A Bridge to Far (Bella Union)

In the mood for a little folk rock? Try this five-piece from Denton, Texas, who have been around since 1999. This is their sixth album overall. And no, I didn’t make a typo in the title of the album. It’s supposed to be a play on words, indicating a journey to somewhere (or something) named Far.

4. Sorry, COSPLAY (Domino)

Sorry (formerly known as Fish, which as you might guess, caused some confusion) are from North London. Among the five people in the group, one is dedicated as “vibe manager.” What do they sound like? Impossible to categorize. One minute they’re all grunge-y and then next they fly off on a jazz tangent tinged with trip-hop. An interesting listen.

5. White Lies, Night Light (PIAS America)

I’ve been a fan of the Joy Division-inspired White Lies since their debut single about 15 years ago. The West London trio are now up to their seventh album. This is how the album ends. Stick around for the glorious instrumental extro.

 

© 2025 Corus Radio, a division of Corus Entertainment Inc.

The Red Hot Chili Peppers have gone through many changes when it came to guitarists. The original guy was Hillel Slovak, but he died of a drug overdose in 1988. The first replacement was DeWayne McKnight, a funk and jazz expert who was with the band for a few months. Then came Jesse Tobias—he didn’t last a year. Then we John Frusciante made the first of three appearances with the band. His first stint was followed by Dave Navarro, fresh from Jane’s Addiction, who was with the band for about five years. Josh Klinghoffer was with the band for a couple of years, too. But there was one more guy.

In 1992, Frusciante quit the band following the release of the Blood Sugar Sex Magick album, and the Chili Peppers needed a replacement fast. His name was Arik Marshall. He toured the world with the band and was part of the group when they were featured on The Simpsons.

Today, though, things are much different. In October, he launched GoFundMe campaign to prevent from being evicted. Rock’n’roll is a vicious game.

© 2025 Corus Radio, a division of Corus Entertainment Inc.

Alberta’s teachers are expected to deliver an update Thursday on possible legal action after their provincewide strike was shut down by Premier Danielle Smith’s UCP government.

Jason Schilling, the head of the Alberta Teachers’ Association, has said the province had other options to resolve bargaining issues with teachers instead of passing back-to-work legislation last week.

The assocation will hold a news conference Thursday afternoon to share its plan.

It’s not clear what legal options the teachers have, given the back-to-work bill invoked the Charter’s notwithstanding clause to override teachers’ rights and shield it from constitutional challenge.

The notwithstanding clause — or Section 33 of the Charter of Rights and Freedoms — gives provincial legislatures or Parliament the ability, through the passage of a law, to override certain portions of the Charter for up to five years.

Schilling says using the notwithstanding clause is, in his words, a “stain” on the government’s record and has called for the bill to be repealed.

Others have also expressed concern with the clause being used.

Canada’s premiers are too quick to use the notwithstanding clause for “marginal reasons” and have lost sight of its original purpose, former prime minister Jean Chrétien said Wednesday evening.

Chrétien, who as justice minister negotiated the clause’s inclusion in the Charter of Rights and Freedoms in 1981, said provinces are using it “for anything” 40 years later.

“It was not designed for that. It was designed (for) when there was a court going too far, politicians can intervene,” he said of the provision, which gives legislatures the ability to override certain portions of the Charter for up to five years.

“That worries me very, very much.”

The Anglican Diocese of Edmonton said denying one group’s fundamental rights has deeper implications that could interfere with people’s freedom of conscience and religion.

On Tuesday, four major criminal defence organizations in Alberta said they were worried, noting residents should also be a alarmed by the use of the clause.

“It is deeply concerning that this may be just the beginning, with the government confirming it is prepared to use the notwithstanding clause in other areas,” said a joint statement by the Criminal Defence Lawyers Association in Calgary, the Criminal Trial Lawyers’ Association in Edmonton, the Red Deer Criminal Defence Lawyers Association and the Southern Alberta Defence Lawyers Association.

“This reflects a flagrant disregard for fundamental rights and freedoms, and a cavalier attitude which is shocking to Albertans and to Canadians.”

The ATA represents 51,000 teachers across Alberta.

— More to come…

— With files from Cassidy McMackon, The Canadian Press

© 2025 Global News, a division of Corus Entertainment Inc.

U.S. President Donald Trump says it would be “devastating” for the United States if the U.S. Supreme Court rules against his favourite tariff tool.

But he also acknowledged while speaking to reporters in the Oval Office that his administration may need to develop a backup tariff plan to prepare for the decision.

“We thought we did very well yesterday, we hope we did,” he said. “I think it will be very devastating for our country, but I also think that we’ll have to develop a Game 2 plan. We’ll see what happens.”

The court heard arguments this week related to two separate legal challenges of Trump’s use of the International Emergency Economic Powers Act for tariffs, including the fentanyl-related duties applied to Canada.

Trump’s lawyer faced pointed questions from the conservative-led U.S. Supreme Court on Wednesday, with many justices voicing skepticism about the president’s use of a national security statute to pursue his tariff agenda.

Liberal and conservative justices pushed Trump’s lawyer to explain why the president would use the law when it doesn’t mention the word “tariff” or any of its synonyms.

Trump told reporters in the Oval Office today that tariffs are “so important.”

America’s top court could have until June to issue a ruling but it’s expected to come much sooner.

© 2025 The Canadian Press

Several Halifax-area mothers are urging the Nova Scotia government to reverse the provincial health authority’s decision to close a publicly-funded infant feeding clinic that offers new parents lactation and other breastfeeding support.

Mayela Lopez Rodrigues says she wouldn’t be able to breastfeed her three-month-old son today if it weren’t for the care she received from a nurse practitioner at the Halifax clinic.

Lopez Rodrigues says she worries about how the loss of this resource will impact other families when it closes at the end of 2025.

She and three other mothers from the area say staffers at the clinic recently told them it was slated to close.

Another Halifax mother, Emilie Comeau, says this is an “irreplaceable” type of care, given that many family doctors do not have specialized lactation training.

Comeau sent a letter to Nova Scotia Health Minister Michelle Thompson urging her to keep this clinic running.

In a statement to The Canadian Press, the minister says she is just learning about the health authority’s decision and has asked for more information.

Thompson also says she knows that the early years are critical for children, and she needs to understand the decision before providing comment.

© 2025 The Canadian Press

Robert Landry was diagnosed with lung cancer in February. He has since undergone chemotherapy and six weeks of daily radiation treatments.

“I’m just doing the treatments and hoping they can get control of it and go from there,” he says.

When he was worried about driving himself home from his appointments while tired and stressed, the Canadian Cancer Society connected him to its Wheels of Hope program. A volunteer would pick him up every day, take him to treatment and drive him home.

“We ended up chit-chatting about anything and everything — the state of the streets, potholes,” Landry says.

It was one less thing to worry about, and provided some much-needed normalcy.

“It was a safe place. I didn’t have to drive back, and I didn’t have to think about what I had just done in treatment.”

Wheels of Hope supports around 500 clients in Winnipeg each year. But demand for the service is rising, and the Canadian Cancer Society is looking for more volunteer drivers.

Pat Trozzo has been driving for the program for more than a year, and says it’s a huge help for folks who have no other transportation options.

“Either because of age or other things, they wouldn’t be able to drive themselves. And they really don’t have the ability to ask friends and family for that kind of commitment.”

Drivers can either use one of the organization’s vehicles for their trips or use their own and get reimbursed for mileage.

Trozzo says clients occasionally want to confide in him about their treatment, but more often just want a casual conversation to take their minds off things.

“Most times there’s enough things on their mind with the treatment or their cancer journey itself,” Trozzo says. “So now you’ve taken a piece out of it, because they get picked up at home, they get dropped off at the location, they really don’t have to worry about parking, finding a parking spot, paying for it.”

He says it’s gratifying to make life a little bit easier for people like Landry who are going through a difficult time.

“It was just pleasant, it was comforting. It was refreshing to do that,” Landry says.

© 2025 Global News, a division of Corus Entertainment Inc.

Prime Minister Mark Carney’s government will face its first confidence vote over the federal budget on Thursday evening and will face another on Friday if it survives the first test.

The House of Commons is set to vote Thursday on a Conservative subamendment to the budget, followed by a Bloc Quebecois amendment vote on Friday.

A spokesperson for Government House Leader Steven Mackinnon told Global News that Carney has made the determination to make both issues confidence votes.

“They are matters of confidence,” communications director Mark Kennedy said.

Global News has learned the seven NDP MPs will vote with the Liberals to defeat the Conservative amendment.

The NDP has yet to declare a position on the budget, saying Tuesday it would take time to review the document.

The Conservatives and Bloc Quebecois have both come out against the budget after it was unveiled Tuesday, saying it failed to meet their priorities.

The minority Liberals need two more votes to survive any confidence vote.

The party boosted its seat count to 170 after Nova Scotia MP Chris d’Entremont resigned from the Conservative caucus Tuesday, crossing the floor to join the Liberals.

More to come…

© 2025 Global News, a division of Corus Entertainment Inc.

Manitoba Hydro says charging stations for electric vehicles are to be installed in various locations across the north.

The Crown corporation says the stations are to be set up at different sites between Winnipeg and Thompson.

They are expected to be located in six locations along Highway 6.

Manitoba Hydro says there are hundreds of electric vehicle charging stations in the province, but most of them are limited to major highways and southern communities.

It says five of the sites are to have chargers capable of topping up vehicles in 20 to 30 minutes.

The first phase of the Crown corporation’s charging network is expected to be fully operational by spring 2027.

© 2025 The Canadian Press

The Commissioner of Canada Elections says it fined Nova Scotia Liberal MP Jaime Battiste $600 for a series of elections law violations — including his donation of funds to his own campaign that went almost $1,500 over the legal limit.

Battiste, who currently serves as parliamentary secretary to the minister of Crown-Indigenous Relations, sought the party leadership earlier this year but bowed out of the leadership race early on.

The elections law violations stem back six years, to a July 2019 candidate nomination contest in Sydney—Victoria that Battiste won.

The elections watchdog posted notices today stating that Battiste breached the Canada Elections Act by filing “false and misleading information” in his official paperwork.

It says he made excess contributions to his own campaign, accepted thousands of dollars into his personal bank account instead of a campaign account, and paid for campaign expenses with his personal credit card.

His financial agent at the time, Kevin Chant, was also hit with $600 in fines, including a fine for failing to return the $1,500 over-contribution to federal coffers for several years.

© 2025 The Canadian Press