The Tea Party, photo by Francesca Ludikar.
The Canadian rock scene is set to reverberate again this autumn as iconic bands The Tea Party and I Mother Earth reunite for a nationwide tour. The thrilling announcement comes as a nod to the legacies of both bands, highlighting their unique impact on Canada’s rock music history and their enduring relevance in the contemporary music arena. The tour kicks off in Ottawa on October 21, 2023, traverses across the country, and will culminate on November 18 in Richmond, BC. Fans in Guelph and London will have the pleasure of seeing the bands perform at the Guelph Concert Theatre on November 3 and the London Music Hall on November 4.
From Windsor, Ontario, The Tea Party is a multi-platinum selling and multi-Juno Award-nominated trio comprising Jeff Martin, Stuart Chatwood, and Jeff Burrows. Born out of a high school friendship over 30 years ago, The Tea Party emerged as a notable outlier in the Canadian music industry, defying then-popular musical trends to pursue a sound steeped in classic rock.
Famed for their incorporation of world music elements and innovative techniques, such as Martin’s violin bow technique, a nod to Led Zeppelin’s Jimmy Page, The Tea Party quickly secured a reputation as a must-see live act. Their extensive body of work, including hits like “Save Me,” “The River,” “Sister Awake,” and “Fire In The Head,” reflects an unwavering commitment to creative exploration and sonic experimentation.
Despite taking an extended hiatus in 2004 after the release of their final EMI album, “Seven Circles,” the three friends found their collective musical chemistry irresistible, reuniting in 2013 to record new material for “The Ocean At The End.” The trio’s adaptability has been demonstrated in their ability to continue creating music together despite living in different parts of the globe. Their unique situation – living in Australia, Vancouver, and Windsor respectively – might just make them “the most socially distanced band in the world.”
I Mother Earth
Meanwhile, I Mother Earth, another treasured staple of Canada’s rock scene, carries a rich history of its own. Born from the jam sessions of brothers Christian and Jag Tanna in their teen years, I Mother Earth evolved into a major act after the Tanna brothers relocated to Toronto, joining forces with lead singer Edwin. Their unique brand of psychedelic rock propelled them onto the global stage, leading to landmark deals and chart-topping hits like “Rain Will Fall,” “Not Quite Sonic,” “So Gently We Go,” “One More Astronaut,” and “Another Sunday.”
The band continued to captivate audiences even after parting ways with Edwin at the peak of their success, introducing new lead singer Brian Byrne and experimenting with their musical style. However, in 2016, the original lineup was restored for a tour celebrating the 25th anniversary of “Scenery and Fish,” marking the return of Edwin and a new chapter for the band.
The upcoming tour is expected to deliver a riveting musical experience, as both The Tea Party and I Mother Earth continue to demonstrate the dynamism and enduring resonance of Canadian rock. Their tour is not just a tribute to their illustrious past but a testament to their ongoing relevance and a promise of more trailblazing music to come.
Tickets go on sale Thursday (July 13) at 10 a.m. at the usual outlets.
The Tea Party and I Mother Earth 2023 Tour Dates:
- 10/21 Ottawa, ON – Bronson Centre
- 10/22 Montreal, QC – MTELUS
- 10/24 Moncton, NB – Casino New Brunswick
- 10/25 Halifax, NS – Casino Nova Scotia
- 10/26 Halifax, NS – Casino Nova Scotia
- 10/28 Pickering, ON – Pickering Casino Resort
- 10/29 Hamilton, ON – FirstOntario Concert Hall
- 11/02 Guelph, ON – Guelph Concert Theatre
- 11/03 London, ON – London Music Hall
- 11/04 Toronto, ON – The Concert Hall
- 11/07 Winnipeg, MB – Burton Cummings Theatre
- 11/09 Regina, SK – Turvey Centre
- 11/10 Saskatoon, SK – TCU Place
- 11/11 Edmonton, AB – Midway Music Hall
- 11/12 Calgary, AB – Grey Eagle Event Centre
- 11/14 Red Deer, AB – Bo’s
- 11/16 Penticton, BC – Penticton Trade & Convention Centre
- 11/17 Coquitlam, BC – Hard Rock Casino
- 11/18 Richmond, BC – River Rock Casino Resort
