By: Jay Broderick
Toronto, ON - Back in October 2024, we took in the first ever finals for Canada's Teen Jam, a platform for young Canadian musicians to showcase their powers, and to give them an opportunity to perform on a real stage. I was blown away by the show that was put on that evening. Man, the young artists were simply fire! Then, early in February, I had a chat with founder Mark Higgins, and he promised me that we'd be in for an even better show during Round 2. And boy, no truer words have been spoken!
On February 27th, I once again headed down to the TD Music Hall, for another spectacle of young Canadian musicians. This time around, there were 9 acts in total, albeit 3 of them were on their victory lap, having appeared in the first evening of events back in October. There is a distinct buzz in the air ahead of this show. The young musicians are chomping at the bit the get things started, and the parents are a load of nerves. But the excitement is for real!
In the October finals, an underage guitarist by the name of Dominik Allen was on the bill. Underage because he wasn't yet a "teenager". He was only 12 years old, and he's one I keep my eyes on to this day. WOW!!! But he was beat during the Round 2 Finals. Starting off the show tonight was 9 year old (yes, 9 year old) singer, songwriter (yes, songwriter), and guitarist Kalia. Her short 2 song set (as was the case for most of the artists tonight) started off with a cover of Billie Eilish's "Birds of a Feather" in which she also played her little acoustic guitar. What a wonderful voice as she hit the high note at the song's end. But it was her second song "New Place to Go" where the young singer shined! She put down the guitar, and ran back and forth across the stage singing the original song that she wrote. Completely unbelievable!
Next up was singer Anna Goldsmith. With a backing band, she started her set with the Guns N' Roses hit "Sweet Child O' Mine". At the track's guitar intro, Anna urges the crowd get up and "come on". It's immediately noticeable that this young lady has a huge stage presence as she uses the full stage, whipping her hair around. And she also sings an original song, the band doing an amazing job backing her up. As is her apparent mantra, she continues to chat with the crowd, sharing her thoughts that nobody should be telling her what she can do with her body. Very gutsy for a young artist to share those seemingly political thoughts. Already an award winner, Anna Goldsmith does an amazing job in her performance, as well as her engagement with the crowd. Extremely professional!
With their style of hard music, Napanee's Third Time's a Charm is next up. This 4 piece starts their set with their song "Self Sabotage". The track has a fantastic driving beat as the band show what they've got. They follow this with their single "Fading Innocence". About growing up, it's another great track for these rockers. They certainly feel comfortable up in that stage.
Our first returning act, October's winner in the solo section, country singer/songwriter Braydon Hall was next up. Man, this young man has the goods! He's got the look of a country musician, and his voice melds perfectly for the genre. His Tyler Childers cover has some people dancing in the crowd, but his original "Ain't Nothing New" gets the hearts fluttering. This guy is good! Mark Higgins even chimes in after his set saying "Wow Braydon! I never thought you could get any better!!"
For us metalheads, 16 year old guitarist James Clark followed up Hall's performance. I was given a heads up before the show about this player. Right out of the gate, he explodes, shredding a mashup of songs from Metallica, Ozzy, Scorpions and the Crue. And he doesn't relent during his whole set. Fingers hammering, guitar picks flying, and sweat dripping. INSANE!!! What James needs now, is to find a band to be able to keep up with him. FIRE!!!
A couple of acts tonight only performed one song, but boy, was it well worth it. First was Barrie, Ontario's Tia Nova, who performed her own song "Without You" acapella. The singer has a fantastic range, and to do what she did with no music backing track? Amazing! Guitarist Brandon Ahmet, also a finalist in October, and a true shredder if there ever was one, blasted out Van Halen's "Hot For Teacher". I mean, this is Eddie Van Halen!! What teenaged musician can manage this? Brandon Ahmet, that's who!
All the young musicians performing here tonight were outstanding, but I'll say, one of my favourite acts of the night was another Napanee artist, Jade Peter. With support from her hometown fellow contestants Third Time's a Charm, Jade starts by asking the crowd how they are doing. With a bit of a lax response, she belts out "You can do better than that!!" She then asks the crowd to move up to the stage, they oblige, and the band goes into her original track "Nothingness". She looks like a rock star, and her somewhat smoky vocals fit the style. It's with her second song "Jaded" though, where things come together. With a fantastic opening riff, and really cool accompanying bass beat, Jade completely gets into her performance. Holding onto notes, hair flying, and moving to the beat, the artist really let's it out on this track, and the crowd applauds with approval.
Holding the spot as tonight's closer, October's group winner Destined for the Throne. There is a reason why they won the October finals. This punk/metal crossover from London, ON are seemingly already on their way to the top. They have the look! They have the vibe! They have the talent. At least that's what I saw in October. Was it a flash in the pan, or are these guys the real deal? Unfortunately, microphone issues throw a wrench in the band's plans, but quick thinking from bassist Ryan Pickering ensures it's a minor annoyance. He brings his mic over to singer Presley Bollert, who makes a funny comment about Ryan's stature, and the band explodes into their set. They kick things off as they jump into the air, and the rockers blast into the opening track. With Green Day sandwiched between 2 originals, Destined for the Throne are the real deal. Musically, these guys are talented, but as I said, they've got that stage presence to bring them to a higher level. With Bollert engaging the crowd to clap along, and a guitar-behind-the-head move to close out the set, these guys killed it, yet again.
The Winners
As Canada's Teen Jam founder Mark Higgins heads on stage to announce the Round 2 winners, he ensures all the musicians that they will appear again in future events. While it's a near impossibility to select winners, Higgins calls out the solo winner, Anna Goldsmith, and holding their October title, Destined for the Throne is announced as the group winner.
What a fantastic night!!!
Canada's Teen Jam is such an original concept, and I must say, I'm proud to have been a part of it. I'd say Mark and his daughter Sammy Jo are on to something big! And you can be sure that main sponsor United Van Lines is well aware of it. I can't wait to see what's next!
Photo Gallery
Show Date: February 27, 2025
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