Kathleen Edwards Keeping Her Options Open
An 18-date winter tour that began on February 2nd along Florida’s Gulf Coast in Tampa ended with two Canadian stops, February 27th in Vancouver and the following night in Victoria.
Supporting Kathleen Edwards for the two Canadian dates was Altameda [AL-TAH-MEE-DAH].
Kathleen Edwards and her five-piece world-class band walked on stage to Andrew Gold’s “Thank You For Being A Friend”, the 1978 hit song that would become the theme song for the television show ‘The Golden Girls.’ The first two songs, “Say Goodbye, Tell No One” and “Save Your Soul”, from her sixth studio album, the triumphant Billionaire got this ROCK n ROLL show started. The album, released on August 22, 2025, and five years after the release of ‘Total Freedom’ was recorded in Nashville and produced by Jason Isbell and Gena Johnson. Five of the ten album tracks from ‘Billionaire’ made it onto the setlist.
St. Petersburg, Florida is now home to Kathleen Edwards and her husband, property developer Sean McAdam, where they bought a home in 2022.
The first time I saw Kathleen Edwards perform was 23 years ago at the Molson Canadian Rocks for Toronto concert where the attendance was estimated at 450,000 to 500,000. Kathleen came on third after Have Love Will Travel Revue, featuring Dan Aykroyd and James Belushi, and Sam Roberts. Her album ‘Failer‘ had just come out. The album was initially released independently in early 2002. It received a wider Canadian release in September 2002, followed by an international release on January 14, 2003.
My songs are always pieces of me, even when I think I’m writing about somebody else.
“It’s true. It was thirteen years ago that I played here last. Maybe I played this song, I don’t remember” quipped Kathleen before performing “Mint”.
Thirteen years ago was also a time when Kathleen Edwards was falling apart on the inside, “I was sad all the time. I quit music and started a coffee shop. It was a wonderful change of pace for me but one of the things it did, it completely re-instilled my true joy of writing songs and playing music.” she commented before playing the beautiful “Asking For Flowers”.
“Back To Me” was jaw-dropping. “Ladies and gentlemen, on the guitar—this is Gord Tough,” Kathleen Edwards announced midway, pointing toward Gord, who stood a short distance to her left. As she did, she lifted her arms high in the air in a gesture of approval and celebration. The band looked like they were having an absolute blast. You could almost imagine an alternate moment in rock history—Kathleen Edwards opening for Tom Petty and the Heartbreakers, then returning to the stage during Tom Petty’s encore to perform this song.
Kathleen then introduced the rest of her band. Aaron Goldstein (pedal steel, guitar), Paul Loren (keyboards), and Matt Sucich (bass). “Before I introduce the person on drums, before I say his name,” said Kathleen, “we are going to play a song now about hockey. And you need to remember that this guy stays on stage throughout the remainder of the evening even though I say the words The Leafs still suck at playoff time. Show empathy, show empathy. Put your hands together for Peter von Althen. This is my favourite song on my new record.” finished Kathleen. Then came “Little Red Ranger”.
Boy grows up in the SooMom and Dad sure loved youHockey kid, weekends at the rinkYou love the Leafs even though they stink
This great night of music would end with “Powderfinger”, one of Neil Young’s most enduring and beloved songs. Kathleen Edwards first covered the song in 2025 in Pittsburgh on November 6, and then two nights later in her hometown of Ottawa, and then again at Massey Hall in Toronto on November 12 for Neil Young’s 80th birthday three-hour tribute concert where Edwards performed the song with Colin Cripps, and backed by an 11-piece house band.
Setlist
Say Goodbye, Tell No One
Save Your Soul
One More Song The Radio Won’t Like
Glenfern
Mint
Asking For Flowers
Soft Place To Land
When The Truth Comes Out
In State
Back To Me
Little Red Ranger
Billionaire
Options Open
Change The Sheets
6 O’Clock News
Hard On Everyone
ENCORE
Goodnight, California
Powderfinger
Altameda
Opening for Kathleen Edwards was Altameda, the Toronto based duo of Troy Snaterse and Erik Grice. Originally from Edmonton, Altameda started as a four-piece group consisting of Troy Snaterse, drummer Erik Grice, bassist Todd Andrews, and keyboardist Matthew Kraus.
The JUNO nominated group released their fourth studio album, ‘Crazy Blue’ last year on September 19, 2025. Altameda’s excellent 35-minute set started with the currently unreleased song titled “Tracing” which should be coming out as a single ahead of their upcoming four western dates (Calgary – April 1st, Edmonton – April 2nd, Saskatoon – April 3rd, and Regina – April 4th), continuing to support Kathleen Edwards. Altameda also covered Bruce Springsteen’s “Long Time Comin’” beautifully.
Setlist
Tracing
Sweet Loredo
Stuck In Your Ways
Neon (& That’s Why)
Long Time Comin’
Faint Of Heart
Crazy Blue