A good reminder to support local music, local voices, and radio. — Stylus Editor
Photos by Veronica Blackhawk
Written by Bradi Breckman
The University of Winnipeg’s on-campus radio station celebrated 25 years of broadcasting on 95.9 FM radio on Friday, May 17th. The station specializes in local music, so it was only logical that they celebrated with a show at The Handsome Daughter, featuring three local rock bands. Cheap Heat, Bloc Parents, and Guilty Sleep all performed during the three-hour run-time of the show. Doors to the venue opened at 8:00, and concertgoers filed in to see the local talent, celebrate the station, and escape the stormy weather outside.
Cheap Heat opened the show just past 9:00 and brought an instant high energy to the crowd. Their intense sound drew headbangers of all ages to the edge of the stage. The band encountered a few difficulties, including some volume imbalance and a broken guitar string, but they carried on with true professionalism. Self-described as “a love letter to pro-wrestling” on their Instagram page, Cheap Heat delivered on their promise to perform wrestling-related songs. They provided some context, though those who do not follow the sport were still left slightly bewildered if also amused. Overall, the crowd loved this band, who undoubtedly knew how to rock.
Concertgoers didn’t have to wait long to be entertained again. Bloc Parents commanded attention with their fun and engaging sound. The lead singer had a magnetic stage presence, and her vocals, mixed with the guitarist’s precision and the odd tambourine feature, created a cohesive and haunting sound. Several songs felt quite gothic and would have been at home on the soundtrack of an 80’s horror movie. The band closed their main set with their three-part piece titled “The Conversation,” which was evidently a fan favourite. The song kept the audience on their toes by frequently changing tempos and keys. It was an excellent closer, and the group seemed genuinely happy to play it in front of an audience that appreciated their energy and talent.
Opening with their song “Cocoon,” Guilty Sleep started the last set of the night with an eerie and captivating sound. The floor was fully packed, and some people had clearly come later in the night just to see them perform. Their songs emphasized excellent guitar work, and the instrumentals and vocals blended well. The band cued up dialogue audio between songs, eliminating any chance of awkward silence. Guilty Sleep also treated the audience by teasing a song from their new EP. The crowd got a chance to listen to a sample of “Sleeve,” which ended up on streaming services five days after the show. Guilty Sleep played a special and entertaining set that closed the night on a high note.
After the show, the crowd milled around in good moods, drinking, and looking at merchandise for the bands and the radio station. It was a great atmosphere and a wonderful celebration of local talent and broadcasting. I highly recommend making it out to any future CKUW events and supporting local radio!
