Bluesfest: Alberta Cross

I'm always a bit amused to see American bands take a Canadian name ... I guess it compensates for all those Canadian bands with songs about California. This outfit actually hails from the Big Apple, though they also have British roots. Despite comparisons to countrified rockers like The Band and Neil Young, they seem to keep more company with pop outfits - they've also opened for folks like Oasis and Thee Crooked Vultures.

Petter Ericson sings!



Lead guitarist Sam Kearney sings!



Drumming and singing action with Austin Beede!



Sam frets!



Petter rocks the mic.



Co band founder Terry Wolfers plays the bass.



Keyboard action!



Point-making action!



Bonus Terry!



Gripping action!



And let's not forget Alec Higgins on keyboards.



Is it just me or did the sun suddenly come out?



Faceoff action!



Singalong action!



They're heading off on a U.S. tour with Portugal The Man, starting in Las Vegas on Sept. 23. Closest they'll be to us is Toronto, Oct. 18.

• Show reminder: The Planet Smashers, The Real McKenzies, Random Hand and Rude City Riot rock Ritual; The Guilty Minds and Jukebox County perform at Cafe Dekcuf; SSRIs , StillNative, Wooka Tribe and Robots!Everywhere!! perform at Zaphod Beeblebrox; Bradleyboy MacArthur does it himself with Lefty McRighty at The Elmdale.