Critics picks: The magic of Queen; Buddy, Roy and Elvis; Oscar St. Records showcase

MUSIC

What: Queen: It’s a Kinda Magic
Where: Royal Theatre, 805 Broughton St.
When: Tuesday, May 15, 7 p.m.
Tickets: $30-$59 at rmts.bc.ca, by phone at 250-386-6121, or in person at the Royal McPherson box office
Why: Made with the participation of Peter Freestone, the best friend of Freddie Mercury, who is on board here as a production consultant, Queen: It’s a Kinda Magic should have all the pieces in place to rock the Royal Theatre on Tuesday. Giles Taylor (in the role of Mercury) leads a group through Queen’s 1986 World Tour setlist, which features a bevy of hits, including We Will Rock You, Bohemian Rhapsody and We Are the Champions, among others. The tribute also stops at the Port Theatre in Nanaimo on May 16 and the Sid Williams Theatre in Courtenay on May 17.
— Mike Devlin

MUSIC

What: Buddy, Roy and Elvis
Where: The Platinum Room at Elements Casino Victoria, 1708 Island Hwy.
When: Friday, May 11, and Saturday, May 10, 8 p.m.
Tickets: $36.75 at ticketmaster.ca
Why: A musical tribute to rock legends Buddy Holly, Roy Orbison and Elvis Presley will have a can’t-miss setlist, that’s for sure. The show features tribute show veterans Larry Branson (as Orbison), Ben Klein (Presley) and Johnny Vallis (Holly), so you can expect quality performances as well. Tickets for the second weekend of entertainment at the reopened casino are selling well, so make advance plans if you are hoping to attend.
— MD

MUSIC

What: Layten Kramer, Peach Pyramid, Kathryn Calder and Elan Noon
Where: Upstairs Cabaret, 15 Bastion Sq.
When: Thursday, May 10, 8 p.m.
Tickets: $10 at eventbrite.ca; $15 at the door
Why: A Canadian tour showcasing acts from Victoria’s Oscar St. Records label gets underway tonight at the Upstairs Cabaret, with a pair of Victoria-based Alberta transplants topping the bill. Layten Kramer (whose new EP, Glory, arrived April 20) and Peach Pyramid (a.k.a. Jen Severtson, whose debut album, Repeating Myself, was a 2017 highlight) are both must-see acts, and with a stripped-down appearance by Oscar St. Records owner Kathryn Calder in the middle slot, fans will be getting extra bang for their bucks on this night. Don’t miss it.
— MD