By Kerry Doole
Barenaked Ladies – Flip (Raisin’ Records): This week is a notable one for the multi-platinum selling Toronto pop/rock veterans. On Monday, they released a new single and video, Flip, the group's first new music in four years, ahead of upcoming 16th studio album Detour de Force.
Tomorrow (April 16), BNL perform the track on the Today Show, followed by the band’s global streaming event, Flip n’ Hits with BNL: A Night of Monster Jams of Pandemic Proportions, to air on April 17 at 9 pm EDT with an encore on April 18 at 8 pm GMT. Fans can expect a non-stop hit after hit 60 minute extravaganza then
In an interview with Consequence of Sound, lead vocalist/guitarist Ed Robertson explains, “Flip is about being open to other perspectives. We live in a time when people seem to just dig deeper into their own trenches, without any willingness to see another viewpoint, or even engage in discussion… It’s all yelling, and no listening. I like that saying, ‘We were given one mouth, and two ears, and we’re supposed to use them proportionately!’”
Sage sentiments that are set to the kind of upbeat and well-crafted tune that is BNL’s signature. The accompanying stop-motion animated video, created using original paper models and directed by Stefano Bertelli, follows the band on an entertaining pop-up book journey through an amusement park full of surprises.
The band's extensive Last Summer on Earth North American tour has had to be postponed for the second straight summer. Dates have now been announced for summer 2022, with the trek skedded to close out at Toronto's Budweiser Stage on July 21. BNL shared a special video for fans about the postponement here. All previously purchased tickets and VIP packages will remain valid for 2022.
Impatient fans can take comfort in this weekend's livestream concert event. For Flip n’ Hits with BNL, the band returned to the historic Danforth Music Hall in Toronto for the first time in 30 years. The show was filmed live to tape in one take, prior to the stay-at-home order issued by the Province of Ontario. The concert will not be available to view after the event. Hosted by Sessions, tickets start at $15 USD.
Links
Publicity: Cristina Fernandes, Listen Harder
Management: Alison Taylor, Shelter Music
Booking: Jeff Craib, The Feldman Agency
The Weeknd at Rogers Centre in Toronto on August 8, 2025.Hyghly Alleyne, Courtesy XO Records