Howard Jones at The Bandshell at The Ex 2019 - Concert Photos

English musician, singer and songwriter Howard Jones is probably best known for his big hits from the 80s like “What Is Love?”, “New Song”, and “Things Can Only Get Better”. The latter tune has had a recent resurgence since it appeared in the hit Netflix series Stranger Things.

I've loved Jones' music since I first heard "New Song" back in the day. However, this show at the Canadian National Exhibition (a.k.a., The Ex or The CNE) was my first time seeing him live. He puts on a great show, telling stories and singing his songs with a colourful backdrop. He and his duo of musical partners performed tunes from his latest release, Transform, as well as hits from across his catalog. It was a fun walk down memory lane to hear my old favourites performed live. They've lasted so well because, at their core, they're excellent songs, and not products of a fashion or trend.

I've included some of my favourite Howard Jones tunes below. The setlist for this show is here.

Dave Sampson opened up the show with his heartfelt folk tunes. Check out my photos and some tunes here.

"Hide and Seek"

"No One Is to Blame"

"Like to Get to Know You Well"

"The One to Love You"

"What is Love?"

"New Song", which ended the main set

Encore tune "Things Can Only Get Better"

Dave Sampson at The Bandshell at The Ex 2019 - Concert Photos

Cape Breton Island's Dave Sampson performed on the Canadian National Exhibition (a.k.a., The Ex and The CNE) opening for Howard Jones. My photos of Howard Jones' set is here.

This was Dave's first time attending The Ex and, therefore, his first time performing at The Ex. He was supported by guitarist Nichol Robertson for a set of solid, engaging folk tunes.

Please check out some of Dave's tunes:

"Trouble"

"Boom Town"

"Colorado"

April Wine at The Bandshell at The Ex 2019 - Concert Photos

For fifty years, April Wine has been creating powerful and influential rock tunes. I've been a fan for as long as I can remember, and so many of their tunes remain 5-star favourites in my library. Young bands have taken the band as an influence. Most recently The Dirty Nil, with their solid cover of perhaps my favourite April Wine tune, "Oowatanite". Check it out here.

Singer/guitarist Myles Goodwyn has been there right from the band's beginning, in Halifax, Nova Scotia. Brian Greenway joined the band in 1977 and has been there ever since. The band pioneered so many of the foundations of great rock tunes and the three-guitar assault.

If I had to enter one criticism, it's that I really could have done without the bass and drum solos. The band ended up running out of time for their full encore, and if I had to choose, I'd pick hearing that encore tune over the demonstration of bass and drum mastery. Am I right?

I love April Wine's music and loved hearing so many great tunes performed live. If you love the music, you'll love their live performance.

I got to cover April Wine's last appearance at The Ex back in 2014. Those photos are here.

Cory James Mitchell Band opened the show. My pics are here.

And here are a bunch of my favourite tunes from April Wine's setlist.

"Could Have Been a Lady"

"Just Between You and Me"

"21st Century Schizoid Man"

"I Like to Rock"

"Sign of the Gypsy Queen"

"Roller"

"Oowatanite", which was recently covered by The Dirty Nil, check out their version here.

Cory James Mitchell Band at The Bandshell at The Ex 2019 - Concert Photos

Sarnia, Ontario-based country-tinged classic rock group the Cory James Mitchell Band opened for April Wine on the Bandshell Stage at The Canadian National Exhibition, a.k.a., The Ex and The CNE. My photos of April Wine are right here. Check 'em out.

They played a set of workmanlike classic rock, southern rock and blues tunes, showing off their deep influences.

Here's some of their music:

"Wild Again"

"If I Could Fly Away (I'd Be Gone)"

Men Without Hats at The Bandshell at The Ex 2018 - Concert Photos

Montreal synth pop band and 80s legends Men Without Hats, consisting of the Doroshuk brothers Ivan on vocals and Colin on keyboards, plus their great band, played The Bandshell at The Ex this past summer. Although I'd been a fan for many, many years, and their songs grace many a personal playlist, this was my first live experience of Men Without Hats.

The band sounded great, and Ivan's command of the stage was remarkable. The tunes, both new and classic, sounded so good. It was a great night of reliving the 80s and how these great tunes have an incredible timelessness.

Men Without Hats' set included the tunes below, plus a superb version of Abba's "S.O.S.". The set ended with another rendition of "Safety Dance" and we got an encore of The Rolling Stones "2000 Light Years from Home". The band expressed their support for the striking technicians who were locked out during The Ex.

Spoons opened up the show. Click through to check out those photos.

"Safety Dance"

"Antarctica"

"I Got The Message"

"Living In China"

"I Like"

"Head Above Water"

"Pop Goes the World"

"This War"

"Girl with the Silicone Eyes"

"Where Do the Boys Go?"