London band, 'New Friends,' announce hometown headlining show
A London, Ont. band, 'New Friends,' is planning a homecoming concert, and all of London is invited.
The upstart rockers announced their biggest headlining performance, coming up Feb. 3 at Rum Runners, celebrating the release of their upcoming EP, 'Camaro.'
"We're just super stoked about these songs," said keyboardist, Ayden Miller. "We feel like it's our best work yet."
"It's a good feeling," added bassist, Conrad Galecki. "We feel like we've wanted to do this show for a while, and it's really exciting."
It is a return to Rum Runners for the band, where they played their first ever show back in November 2021.
Since then, it has been a whirlwind few months. They recently completed a multi-city Ontario tour, and had their latest single, "Ricochet," featured on Hockey Night in Canada.
"Real big rollercoaster," said Galecki. “But the trajectory we're on right now is keeping us motivated. It's keeping us excited."
The band members come from all over southern Ontario, meeting as strangers in Fanshawe College's music industry arts program.
Strangers quickly became new friends, guided and encouraged by their Fanshawe instructors.
"It was an amazing program," said singer Stefan Boulineau. "What we learned was great, but the connections that we made, and the people we met, was the best thing out of the entire program."
They call London home now, not far from where guitarist Cole Wilson grew up in St. Thomas, Ont.
They graduated two years ago, in the throes of the COVID-19 pandemic, but did not let that stop them from pursuing their passion.
"I never really thought of what it couldn't be because every person in the band was pushing us to become the best,” said Wilson.
"We've got some tricks up our sleeves," said Miller of the February show. "We're planning to completely revamp the live show and bring a whole new experience to anyone who's already seen us. And anyone who hasn't is going to get something completely new as well."
Tickets go on sale to the public Dec. 9 at 10 a.m., and can be purchased through Ticketweb Canada.
CTVNews.ca Top Stories
Canada sends military aircraft into Haiti's skies as gang violence escalates
Canada has sent one of its military planes to Haiti to help the country cope with escalating violence.
New study highlights increasing prevalence of muscle dysmorphia among Canadian boys, young men
Canadian researchers are drawing attention to the increasing prevalence of 'a pathological pursuit of muscularity' among Canadian boys and young men, with a new study that found one in four were at risk of developing what's known as muscle dysmorphia.
Five things to know about upcoming health-care talks between Trudeau, premiers
On Tuesday in Ottawa, Canada's 13 premiers and Prime Minister Justin Trudeau will sit around the same table in person for the first time since COVID-19 hoping to find a path toward a new long-term health-care funding deal.
China has reasons to keep cool after U.S. downs suspected spy balloon
China may respond to the U.S. shooting down its suspected spy balloon after warning of 'serious repercussions,' but analysts say any move will likely be finely calibrated to keep from worsening ties that both sides have been seeking to repair.
Former Israeli PM: Putin promised not to kill Zelenskyy
A former Israeli prime minister who served briefly as a mediator at the start of Russia's war with Ukraine says he drew a promise from the Russian president not to kill his Ukrainian counterpart.
Canadian hitmakers vie for Grammys alongside some of pop music's biggest stars
Pop superstars Bryan Adams, Michael Buble and Drake could emerge Grammy Awards winners today, but it's the Canadian hitmakers behind the scenes who are chasing some of the top prizes.
Poor oral health could affect the brain later in life: early study
An early study has shown keeping your gums and teeth healthy may have added benefits for your brain health.
Justice minister open to amending bail laws, OPP commissioner says change 'needed now'
Justice Minister and Attorney General David Lametti says he is open to amending bail laws, which have come under increased scrutiny following the shooting death of an Ontario Provincial Police officer.
U.S. downs Chinese balloon, drawing a threat from China
The U.S. military on Saturday shot down a suspected Chinese spy balloon off the Carolina coast after it traversed sensitive military sites across North America. China insisted the flyover was an accident involving a civilian aircraft and threatened repercussions.
Kitchener
-
Most read stories of the week: Conestoga Mall robbery, house explosion hearing, cancelled Valentine's Day
An armed robbery at Conestoga Mall, a hearing on a 2018 Kitchener house explosion, and a school cancelling Valentine's Day round out the most ready stories of the week.
-
Woolwich man arrested for alleged death threats to local MP
Waterloo regional police have arrested a Woolwich man after death threats were allegedly made to a local Member of Parliament online.
-
Kitchener man recounts car theft while cleaning out vehicle
Waterloo regional police are investigating a car theft they say happened while the owner was vacuuming out their vehicle.
Windsor
-
Windsor police seek suspects in armed home invasion
Two men wearing masks allegedly forced their way into an east Windsor home Saturday night with a gun in hand demanding money.
-
Convoy marking one-year since Ambassador Bridge blockade expected to arrive in Windsor: police
Windsor police say a vehicle convoy marking the one-year anniversary of the Ambassador Bridge blockade is expected to arrive in the city Sunday afternoon.
-
Windsor man living without heat inside downtown apartment unit for nearly one year
A Windsor, Ont., man is pursuing legal action to try and recover hydro costs he incurred due to his apartment unit being left without heat for nearly a full year.
Barrie
-
SIU investigating death of Barrie man
The province's Special Investigations Unit is investigating the death of a 35-year-old man in Barrie Saturday afternoon.
-
Marit Stiles officially confirmed as Ontario NDP leader by majority vote
Marit Stiles officially became the new leader of the Ontario NDP on Saturday after a majority of party members voted in favour of the lone candidate.
-
Whiteouts close Highway 400 from Cookstown to Barrie
As the region continues to be blasted by heavy winter weather, there are several road closures to report.
Northern Ontario
-
Sudbury cellphone sale goes wrong
Greater Sudbury Police Service say it has charged a man and a woman with multiple offences following the investigation into an online ad selling a cellular phone.
-
Five things to know about upcoming health-care talks between Trudeau, premiers
On Tuesday in Ottawa, Canada's 13 premiers and Prime Minister Justin Trudeau will sit around the same table in person for the first time since COVID-19 hoping to find a path toward a new long-term health-care funding deal.
-
Saturday night stabbing in Sudbury leaves one in hospital
A teen is in hospital with serious but not life-threatening injuries following an incident in the Greater Sudbury community of Coniston Saturday evening.
Ottawa
-
No source found for 'overwhelming paint-like smell' that prompted hazmat call
The Ottawa Fire Services hazardous materials team has left an apartment building on St. Laurent Boulevard after residents reported an "overwhelming paint-like" smell.
-
Driver facing careless driving, drug possession charges after Hwy. 416 crash, OPP says
Emergency crews responded to the single-vehicle rollover on Highway 416 during the snowstorm Sunday morning.
-
Transit Commission awaiting draft budget specifics this week
Ottawa's Transit Commission meets this Thursday to discuss its 2023 draft budget, but some details found in the citywide draft are already raising questions.
Toronto
-
Fatal hit-and-run on the Danforth now considered a homicide
Toronto police are now saying that a fatal hit-and-run on the Danforth is being treated as a homicide.
-
Calls grow to declare Toronto homelessness a public health crisis after extreme cold
Councillors in Toronto are set to consider keeping warming centres open 24-7 for the rest of the winter amid growing calls for homelessness to be declared a public health crisis in the city.
-
Historic trees at Toronto's Osgoode Hall spared until Feb. 10 following interim injunction
The historic trees on the chopping block at Osgoode Hall in downtown Toronto will live to see another day.
Montreal
-
Work overload causing a rise in suicide risk among veterinarians
While the crude suicide rate in Quebec in 2021 was about 13.3 per 100,000 people, it was almost three times higher among veterinarians. No fewer than 15 suicides have been recorded in 15 years by the Quebec association of veterinarians (AMVQ).
-
Over 3,000 Hydro-Quebec customers still without power in Montreal
In Montreal, more than 3,000 Hydro-Quebec customers remain without power, and more than 7,500 are in the dark across the province. Of the 47 service interruptions in Montreal, four are in the Parc-Extension area where Daniella Zanetti witnessed a power line explosion that sparked a fire on Saturday night.
-
Montreal writer and actress named queen as St. Patrick's Day parade returns
Writer and actress Samara O'Gorman was crowned queen for the St. Patrick's Day Parade, which returns for its first full-scale event in March since 2019.
Atlantic
-
Eastern Canada cold snap ends, but thousands in N.S. and N.B. still without power
Cold weather alerts that blanketed eastern Canada for the past two days have largely lifted, but some Nova Scotians and New Brunswickers remain without power due to outages caused by the frigid temperatures and high winds.
-
Nova Scotia’s Serious Incident Response Team investigating death of N.B. man: RCMP
New Brunswick RCMP has requested the Nova Scotia Serious Incident Response Team (SiRT) conduct an inquiry after a man died during a police response Saturday.
-
Frigid temperatures cause burst pipes, vehicle collisions, and power outages across Maritimes
Extreme cold warnings were in effect for the Maritimes Saturday, with feel-like temperatures hitting between -40C and -50C.
Winnipeg
-
'Everybody's out here enjoying winter': Snoball carnival celebrates 20 years in West Broadway
West Broadway residents celebrated the 20th anniversary of a beloved winter festival this weekend.
-
Three arrested after downtown stabbing: Police
A 57-year-old man is recovering in hospital after a stabbing in downtown Winnipeg Friday night.
-
'We need to do better': Survey finds cancer patient care remains inconsistent across Canada
The Canadian Cancer Society (CCS) is calling on the federal government to do more for cancer patients, as the system continues to struggle nearly three years after the beginning of the COVID-19 pandemic.
Calgary
-
Calgary firefighter bounces back after removal of volleyball-sized tumour
Cancer is the second-leading cause of death worldwide, and Saturday, on World Cancer Day, many shared their stories in the hopes of helping others.
-
Western Canada’s most talented cheerleaders compete at Imagine Championships in Calgary
More than 1,500 athletes got louder than ever this weekend, showcasing their best handsprings, aerials, and choreography at the 2023 Imagine Cheer and Dance Championships in Calgary.
-
Oil Kings kick off 5 game road trip with 5-1 win at Calgary
The Oil Kings took provincial bragging rights Saturday, defeating the Calgary Hitmen 5-1 at the Scotiabank Saddledome.
Edmonton
-
Woman stabbed in confrontation at grocery store
RCMP are investigating after a woman was stabbed in a Red Deer grocery store on Friday.
-
'I was begging the man to help': Off-leash dog attacks German shepherd in northeast Edmonton
A dog required emergency surgery after what its owner described as a vicious attack Friday evening in northeast Edmonton.
-
Ukraine defence minister expects help from Western warplanes
Ukraine's defence minister expressed confidence Sunday that Western allies would agree to the country's latest weapons request -- warplanes to fight off Russian forces that invaded nearly a year ago.
Vancouver
-
Salt marsh restoration underway in Boundary Bay
For the last week, a national conservation organization has been working to restore the tidal marsh in Delta's Boundary Bay.
-
B.C. NDP expects to table more than two dozen new bills in spring legislature sitting
A refreshed housing plan and health care, public safety, environment and cost-of-living initiatives will be the focus of the British Columbia New Democrat government's political agenda over the coming months, says house leader Ravi Kahlon.
-
Tiny wines find home in B.C.'s market, as Canadians consider reducing consumption
Wine lovers have growing options on the shelf to enjoy their favourite beverage as producers in B.C. offer smaller container sizes.