El Merengue

40 years together as a band is a milestone worth celebrating, and Toronto roots-rock heroes Blue Rodeo are certainly doing that. As part of their anniversary year festivities, a stripped down version of the group (co-founders Greg Keelor and Jim Cuddy plus guitarists Colin Cripps and Jimmy Bowskill) played a free acoustic show in Toronto's Distillery District on Monday afternoon. The well-attended gig also served as promotion for a just-launched signature beer, Blue Rodeo Ontario Lager, produced by Mill Street Brewery.

Earlier this year, a full-length documentary on Blue Rodeo, Lost Together, was released to much acclaim, and it is currently  available on CBC Gem. The band also got its own Canada Post stamp back in April, one depicting its current lineup of Keelor, Cuddy, Cripps, Bowskill, Bazil Donovan, Glenn Milchem and Mike Boguski. Blue Rodeo continue to play across the country this summer, fall and into 2026, closing out with two nights at Massey Hall, Jan. 23 and 24. Check their itinerary here.