There is something quietly revolutionary about a band that refuses to fade away.
After over two decades together, The Trews aren’t chasing trends or reinvention for relevance. They keep doing what they do best: writing songs, touring hard, and feeding off the energy of live shows.
As they prepare to bring The Bloody Light Tour to the Thunder Bay Community Auditorium, frontman Colin MacDonald reflects on what continues to drive the band.
“I still love the energy of our live shows,” he says. “We’ve always thrived in a live setting, and that’s never changed. We’ve always fed off the energy of the crowds, and we’re very inspired by the new material. I think we’ve only gotten better over the last two decades.”
That confidence, MacDonald explains, is rooted not in flash, but in the ability to endure as a band.
“It feels like we come to a crossroads once or twice a year,” MacDonald admits. “It’s a tough business, but our love of writing and playing music has always been the thing we’ve leaned on, especially in the uncertain times. All times are uncertain when you think about it. We love what we do, and that’s why we continue to do it.”
Shifting focus to their creative process, the new material fuelling this tour leans darker and more reflective, shaped by the emotional static of the last several years.
“I just write about where I’m at in life, and sometimes that’s a dark place, sometimes it’s not,” he says. “There’s been a lot of craziness going on in everyone’s lives these days, and obviously that’s going to show up in the songs. Music is a great way to work through difficult and complicated emotions. I guess singing songs can be an exorcism of sorts.”
Looking beyond the music itself, the band’s longevity now offers them a unique perspective: The Trews witness generations of fans growing up together, an experience rare among Canadian rock bands.
“I meet 25-year-olds whose first concert was The Trews when they were five years old,” MacDonald says with a laugh. “I hear a lot of ‘my mom played your albums throughout my entire childhood.’ It’s kind of like brainwashing the next generation of Trews fans.”
The band even landed a No. 1 at rock radio last year, proof that the audience is not simply nostalgic — it is still expanding.
“I feel very fortunate to have a career spanning multiple generations now.”
Looking ahead, sustaining a career in 2026 is grounded less in mythology and more in a disciplined, pragmatic approach.
“It doesn’t get any easier,” MacDonald says. “I’ve always subscribed to working consistently, being disciplined and having good habits. It doesn’t sound very rock ’n’ roll, but it has allowed me to keep making good music.”
There is humility and realism in that answer. When asked whether there are habits he wishes he had adopted earlier to protect his mental or creative health, MacDonald does not hesitate.
“Yes. One hundred per cent. But you have to go through it to learn. In life, the lesson comes after the exam.”
Returning to their roots, for a band that grew up in Antigonish, N.S., the connection to smaller Canadian markets remains central to their identity. Cities like Thunder Bay, he says, offer something different from major centres.
“We love playing towns and smaller cities. We grew up in a small town, and we loved it when national touring acts would come and play. The mid-size and smaller markets are less jaded and more fun. Perfect for high-energy rock shows.”
Balancing tradition with growth, the band strives to maintain energy while evolving artistically. The set lists — crafted by bandmate John-Angus MacDonald — weave newer material with longtime favourites, and the show still closes with “Not Ready to Go.”
“We’re still here, and we’re not done yet,” MacDonald says.
Perhaps that sentiment captures the band’s legacy better than any chart statistic could. Asked what he is most proud of, MacDonald borrows a phrase from his bandmate: “Lasting is the new making it.”
In an industry that favours speed over substance, lasting more than 20 years may be the most rebellious act of all.
The Trews bring The Bloody Light Tour to the Thunder Bay Community Auditorium on Feb. 23, 2026, at 7:30 p.m.
