By Yuri Woodfall – Western Lead Photojournalist, Sound Check Entertainment
Edmonton EXPO Centre – Edmonton, Alberta – November 10, 2026
Edmonton country music fans came ready to party Tuesday night as Dean Brody and The Reklaws brought their Hometown Heroes Tour to the Edmonton EXPO Centre, delivering an evening packed with country anthems, heartfelt moments, and an atmosphere that rarely slowed down.
From the enthusiastic singalongs to the seemingly endless dancing, the Edmonton crowd played a massive role in making the evening memorable. The energy throughout the venue was fantastic, with fans enthusiastically embracing both headlining acts and proving once again that Edmonton knows how to show up for live country music.
With special guest Nate Haller joining the lineup, the tour celebrated some of the best talent Canadian country music has to offer. Rather than simply presenting two separate headlining performances, the Hometown Heroes Tour embraced collaboration, bringing Dean Brody and The Reklaws together for portions of the evening while allowing each act to showcase their own impressive catalogues.
Adding to the experience was a solid sound mix that kept the vocals clear and the instruments well-balanced. With multiple artists, different musical styles, and a crowd that seemingly wanted to sing every word, the production had plenty to manage, but the overall sound remained strong throughout the night.
Nate Haller Kicks Off the Celebration
Canadian country artist Nate Haller had the responsibility of getting the evening underway, setting the stage for what would become a high-energy celebration of Canadian country music.
Haller’s contemporary country sound made him a natural addition to the lineup, blending traditional country influences with modern production and a noticeable rock edge. His recent touring setlist has demonstrated that versatility, moving through original material while throwing in a familiar pop-punk anthem for good measure.
His recent Lethbridge set opened with Budweiser, before moving into Race to the Bottom and Thought About You, showcasing his ability to balance upbeat material with more reflective songwriting.
One of the more unexpected moments in Edmonton was Haller’s cover of blink-182’s All the Small Things. While pop-punk might seem like an unusual addition to a country concert, the song’s infectious chorus and nostalgic appeal made it a natural fit for an audience ready to sing along. It was a fun departure from the traditional country sound and a reminder that great live music doesn’t need to stay confined to one genre.
Haller’s recent touring repertoire has also included Called It and Backfire, further highlighting his growing catalogue and his ability to move between contemporary country sounds and rock-influenced arrangements.
Lightning in a Bottle has provided a fitting conclusion to his recent seven-song sets, reinforcing the energetic musical identity Haller has been developing throughout his career.
Opening for artists with the popularity of Dean Brody and The Reklaws is no small opportunity, and Haller’s inclusion demonstrated the tour’s commitment to showcasing Canadian talent at different stages of their careers.
The Reklaws Bring the Party to Edmonton
If there’s one thing The Reklaws know how to do, it’s get a crowd moving.
Sibling duo Stuart and Jenna Walker have become one of Canadian country music’s most recognizable acts, building their reputation on infectious melodies, relatable songwriting, and an energetic approach to live performances.
Tuesday night’s Edmonton audience was more than willing to match that energy.
The crowd was fantastic, with fans dancing, singing, and fully embracing the party atmosphere. It was the kind of enthusiastic response that makes live country music so enjoyable, where the audience becomes just as important to the experience as the performers onstage.
The tour’s collaborative opening has featured songs such as Can’t Help Myself, Honky Tonkin’ About, and Bush Party, establishing the celebratory spirit of the Hometown Heroes concept.
The Reklaws’ own material provided plenty of opportunities to keep that momentum going.
Old Country Soul and Feels Like That showcase the duo’s ability to deliver catchy country melodies, while One Beer Away and 11 Beers lean into the carefree, party-friendly side of their catalogue.
One of the most recognizable songs associated with the duo, Roots, brings a distinctly Canadian flavour to their performances. The song’s connection to Canadian hockey has made it a familiar anthem for sports fans, and its themes of pride and belonging fit naturally into the Hometown Heroes concept.
But what makes The Reklaws particularly enjoyable is their ability to balance the party atmosphere with more meaningful songwriting.
People Don’t Talk About represents a more personal side of the duo, addressing difficult emotions and experiences that often go unspoken. It’s a powerful contrast to the lighthearted country anthems that have helped make them household names.
Their recent touring set has also included a medley of Live Like You Were Dying, My Wish, and Drops of Jupiter, bringing together familiar songs that resonate across musical genres.
Selections such as Drunk Enough to Dance, Ain’t Seen Nothing Yet, and Where I’m From show the duo’s party-friendly side, while I Grew Up on a Farm celebrates their country roots.
A rendition of Zac Brown Band’s Chicken Fried has also found its way into their recent performances, fitting perfectly with the tour’s country celebration.
And, of course, no Reklaws performance would feel complete without Long Live the Night.
The song has become one of their signature anthems, and its infectious chorus is practically designed for a crowd eager to sing along.
Throughout their Edmonton performance, Stuart and Jenna demonstrated exactly why they’ve become such a popular act across Canada. Their chemistry, energy, and ability to connect with an audience make them a formidable live duo.
They were fantastic, delivering the kind of performance that makes it nearly impossible to stand still.
Dean Brody Shows Edmonton Why He’s a Canadian Country Favourite
Dean Brody has spent more than 15 years establishing himself as one of Canadian country music’s most successful and recognizable artists, and his Edmonton performance was another reminder of why he continues to draw enthusiastic audiences across the country.
Where The Reklaws brought a contemporary, party-driven energy, Brody complemented that approach with an impressive catalogue of hits, engaging songwriting, and the experience of a performer who knows how to command a stage.
His recent touring set has opened with Bounty, immediately setting an energetic tone before moving into It’s Friday, another crowd-friendly favourite.
The latter has also featured a playful snippet of Dropkick Murphys’ I’m Shipping Up to Boston, adding an unexpected twist to the country festivities.
Songs such as Lightning Bug, Canadian Summer, and Whiskey in a Teacup demonstrate Brody’s ability to move comfortably between laid-back country melodies and more upbeat material.
His extensive catalogue has also allowed him to revisit several fan favourites through a medley featuring Roll That Barrel Out, Undone, Love Would Be Enough, and Dirt Roads Scholar.
But while Brody certainly knows how to deliver a country party anthem, some of his strongest material comes from his ability to tell a story.
Little Yellow Blanket and Time highlight the more emotional side of his songwriting, offering a contrast to the high-energy material that dominates much of his live repertoire.
Those songs are an important part of what makes Brody such a compelling artist. His ability to capture everyday experiences, relationships, and memories through music has helped him maintain a loyal following throughout his career.
Other recent touring selections include Death of Me and Where’d You Learn How To Do That, alongside one of his most recognizable hits, Canadian Girls.
Few songs capture Brody’s distinctly Canadian approach to country music quite like Canadian Girls, and it remains a staple of his live repertoire.
Then there’s Bring Down the House, a song whose title perfectly describes the atmosphere inside the Edmonton EXPO Centre.
With fans dancing and singing throughout the night, the enthusiasm in the venue was impossible to ignore.
Brody was fantastic, delivering a performance that balanced the energy of his biggest hits with the storytelling that has defined his career.
The sound mix also deserves recognition. Brody’s vocals remained clear, and the instrumentation had the balance needed to let both the quieter moments and the more energetic numbers shine.
A Crowd That Made the Night
While Dean Brody and The Reklaws were undoubtedly the stars of the evening, the Edmonton audience deserves plenty of credit.
There are concerts where the crowd takes a few songs to warm up, and then there are nights when everyone seems determined to have the best time possible.
Tuesday night felt firmly in the latter category.
Fans were dancing, singing along, and enthusiastically responding to the music throughout the evening. The atmosphere was electric, and the energy coming from the audience added another dimension to the performances.
That connection between artists and fans is one of the biggest reasons live music remains such a special experience.
Hearing familiar songs on the radio is one thing. Hearing them performed live while surrounded by hundreds of people singing along is something entirely different.
The Edmonton crowd helped turn the Hometown Heroes Tour into a genuine celebration, creating an atmosphere that complemented the energy coming from the stage.
A Fitting Hometown Heroes Finale
The collaborative nature of the tour is one of its strongest features, bringing Dean Brody and The Reklaws together rather than keeping their performances entirely separate.
The tour’s recent encore has featured Hometown Heroes, the collaboration that gives the tour its name, followed by a reprise of Can’t Help Myself featuring Nate Haller.
It’s a fitting conclusion to a show built around celebrating Canadian country music and the communities that have supported these artists.
The combination of Brody’s established catalogue, The Reklaws’ contemporary energy, and Haller’s emerging talent reinforces the idea that Canadian country music is in an excellent place.
More importantly, the collaborative format gives audiences an opportunity to see artists sharing the spotlight in a way that feels like a celebration rather than a competition.
Final Thoughts
Dean Brody and The Reklaws delivered a fantastic night of Canadian country music at the Edmonton EXPO Centre, backed by a crowd that was more than ready to match their enthusiasm.
The performances were strong, the sound mix was solid, and the atmosphere throughout the venue was outstanding.
The Reklaws brought their trademark energy, infectious melodies, and undeniable sibling chemistry, while Dean Brody reminded everyone why he remains one of the country’s most respected country performers.
Together, they created an evening that balanced high-energy entertainment with heartfelt songwriting, giving fans plenty of opportunities to dance, sing, and celebrate the music they love.
But perhaps the biggest takeaway was the energy inside the venue.
Edmonton showed up ready for a country party, and Dean Brody and The Reklaws were more than happy to deliver.
The Hometown Heroes Tour wasn’t just a celebration of Canadian country music – it was a reminder of how incredible live music can be when the artists and audience are having just as much fun as each other.
