Kindersley concert serves as local showcase

By Jordan Parker

The Red Lion is set to host a bevy of rock groups Friday, June 9th, for a night of rollicking entertainment.

Perhaps the best part about the line-up is it’s predominantly marked by Kindersley locals. The Radiant, Hollow Oax and Curtwood Bearsman have come together for the show, featuring a night of homegrown talent.

Bearsman will the opener, and the born-and-raised Kindersley resident will shift from his day job teaching to being a presence on stage.

“I work full-time as an online tutor, and music has been a love of mine since I was a kid. I learned piano when I was little, and I discovered guitar at six years old,” he said.

“I was in cover rock bands, metal bands, and I eventually evolved into the solo acoustic artist I am today.”

Bearsman has strong ties to the bands involved and is really excited to play the show.

“People in these bands are close to me. I’ve played with them in the past and grew up with them. They’ve helped me record, and it’s a great group to play a show with together,” he said.

Of the ten musicians from the three bands involved, seven of the people are from Kindersley.

“This is just really a local thing that’s been put together. Evan Knouse (The Radiant’s bass player) put this together. He reached out and wanted me to open, and of course, I wanted to,” he said.

The idea of doing a show at the Red Lion was thrown around for a while, and Bearsman says it has a special meaning for him.

“As a venue, it has a great stage and dancefloor. It’s nice and open, and it’ll be nice to play downtown in my home community,” he said.

“I have a lot of history and memories there. We all identify with it as a place we’re coming home to. It’s a popular place that provides a sense of community. It’ll feel like a little reunion, and I’ll see lots of people I haven’t seen in a while.”

He says people expecting good, alternative rock won’t be let down by the setlist coming.

“There will be lots of fun, positive vibes. I’ll open up acoustic first, so if you like that style, you’ll appreciate it. It’s going to be a night of diverse songs.”

Evan Knouse of The Radiant – born in Kindersley, now living in Saskatoon -- is looking forward to the show at Red Lion.

“We’re all originally from the area. It was a no-brainer, and we’ve wanted to do it for a long time. A friend’s dad told me we’d blow the roof off the place. We decided to put it together,” he said.

“I haven’t lived there for 13 years, but friends and family are really excited. The bar staff are excited, and it feels like it’ll be a hit.”

He says the show will be full of plenty of great tunes for folks to enjoy.

“The easy generic thing to say is rock, but psychedelic, alt rock and punk are all involved in that,” he said. “We’re feeling dialed in, and we really can’t wait for this show. It’ll be awesome.”

The show is at the Red Lion on June 9th, 2023. It’ll be $10 at the door. For more information, visit www.facebook.com/RedLionInnKindersley/