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Crybaby: A Melody Behind

Roots-rock outfit Crybaby made a splash with a sparkling debut record, Paintings, in 1996. Recently reunited after a long hiatus, they've released this cut from an imminent second album that pairs melancholia-tinged vocals and a resonant guitar twang. Gripping stuff.

Crybaby: A Melody Behind

By Kerry Doole

Crybaby - "A Melody Behind" (Independent): Back before the term Americana was coined, Toronto roots-rock outfit Crybaby made a splash in the mid-'90s with a sparkling 1996 debut record, Paintings, produced by Grammy-winner Peter J. Moore.


The band imploded shortly after, but recently reunited, with a slightly different lineup. A second album, Still, is complete, and the first track released, "A Melody Behind," shows the group hasn't missed a beat. The resonant twang of the guitars neatly complements the melancholia-tinged vocals of Rae Billing.

Crybaby is built around her songs, and she delivers them in a voice redolent of emotional authenticity (Lucinda Williams is a clear reference point). She is more than ably abetted by a band comprising A-list players from Hamilton and Toronto, including guitarists Steve Koch (Ron Sexsmith) and Andrew Aldridge (Sarah Slean), Greg Brisco (Junkhouse) on keys, and drummer Lucky Pete Lambert (Kensington Hillbillies).

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Young roots-based artists seem to get all the attention these days, but these seasoned veterans deserve the spotlight.

Crybaby will launch the album with CD release parties April 14 at Pearl Company in Hamilton and April 19 at Cadillac Lounge in Toronto. Edgar Breau and Colina Phillips from Simply Saucer will open the Toronto show.

CRYBABY A Melody Behind (from album STILL) from lumaRae Photography on Vimeo.

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Ed Sheeran
Petros Studio

Ed Sheeran

Pop

Ed Sheeran Announces 2026 North American Dates to Global Loop Tour

The summer stadium gigs will kick off on June 13 in Glendale, Ariz.

Ed Sheeran is bringing his global Loop Tour to North America next year. The “Azizam” singer announced on Thursday morning (Sept. 18) that the 26-date run of stadium shows will kick off on June 13 at State Farm Stadium in Glendale, Ariz., before moving on to Nashville, Milwaukee, Chicago, Denver, Las Vegas, San Diego, Santa Clara, Los Angeles, Philadelphia and Atlanta, winding down at Raymond James Stadium in Tampa, Fla. on Nov. 7. Sheeran has two dates at the Rogers Centre in Toronto, on August 21 and 22.

The North American shows will follow the kick-off of the Loop tour in Auckland, New Zealand in January, before moving on to Australia. According to a release announcing the dates, the tour will feature “an all new set design with new songs from his recently released album, Play, as well as fan favourites and some classics added in.”

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