Well, that festive time of year is back with all its jolliness and joy. However, what makes the holiday season so special? Could it be all the busy shoppers searching far and wide for that right gift to give. (concert tickets, the right gift is always concert tickets) Maybe it’s the good times and beverages we share between friends. (we suggest shots of Malört, you’re welcome) Or maybe it’s just sharing a calm moment with family, though we know that never really happens. In any case, this time of year seems to always be special, and I personally believe that music plays a big part in that magic. I’m not saying Christmas music is always good, (12 days of Christmas, I’m looking at you) but when it’s good, you can’t help but have a smile on your face. A great example of this was catching Saskatchewan’s Jake Vaadeland & The Sturgeon River Boys perform during their Goodness Gracious, It’s Christmas! tour on December 7th at Capital Ballroom. After their performance at Rifflandia, we knew we had to check these lads out again, but nothing prepared us for what magic was going to unfold.
Before we even talk about the performance itself, we need to talk about the stage design. This wasn’t your average tour date coming to your city stage design, this was a full-on holiday programme stage design filled with presents, a fireplace, a comfy chair, and of course, a beautiful Christmas tree. It felt like Jake and his merry men welcomed us into his living room to play some sweet country music. It goes without saying but this is the type of experience I expect if you’re hosting a Christmas show.
Jake Vaadeland & The Sturgeon River Boys have had an incredible 2025, which included winning both a CCMA and a JUNO award. By the sounds of it, they aren’t slowing down for a second and we aren’t complaining. As we mentioned earlier, we had to check these guys out again after a fantastic festival set at this year’s Rifflandia Music Festival. The band started off with a rag-time version of Jingle Bells which lead to Jake’s grand entrance to the stage. At this time, I should mention that the show was not completely Christmas music, but that was ideal. Jake’s discography is quite vast and songs like One More Dollar to Go, Pretty Girl, and Showman deserved to be shared along with the Christmas selections. Before we talk about those selections, there were a few other fun moments during the two-set show. First, Jake showcased other members of the band by playing one on one with them at times. A personal favorite was when he played with his bassist; those two were playing their hearts out. Second, Jake has a few sponsorship mentions in during the programme, which really is just fun little skits during the show. After those sponsorship songs, I suddenly have the urge to drink a Diet Pepsi while shopping for a new suit at Better off Duds in Saskatoon.
Now, being a Christmas show and all, I was looking forward to hearing what holiday tunes would be selected. Jake and the boys showed off their vocal talents with a medley with featured The First Noel, Joy to the World, and a few more cuts. Then we got full band experiences for tracks like Jingle Bell Rock, Run Run Rudolph, Blue Christmas, Silent Night, Santa looked a lot like Daddy, and more. All these songs were performed so wonderfully and really brought that Christmas feeling into Capital Ballroom. Before the night ended, of course the crowd chanted for one more song, except they got a bit more than they were expecting. This included a wardrobe change for Jake, a three-song encore featuring their song Retro Man, and Jake jumping off an upright bass. If that’s not a spectacular encore, I don’t know what is.
It’s safe to say that this band is truly special. From the banter, goofiness and laughs they share on stage, to meeting everyone after the show to sign merchandise. You don’t see a band with this many friendly faces that often. After the show, I had to buy a Christmas CD for my mom because it was thanks to her that I got to experience so much wonderful Christmas music over the years. To close, Jake Vaadeland & The Sturgeon River Boys made me feel like a kid on Christmas again with no worries, even if it was just for an evening. If you get a chance, check these guys out because I guarantee you will enjoy just as much as I did.
