Too hot. Mind melted into gelatinous puddle. And so for mornings like these:
Myriam Gendron – Mayday
(Chivi Chivi)
Few people make major keys sound as minor as Myriam Gendron. The Montreal singer/guitarist plays songs that sound like classic folk numbers—and on her previous albums, some of them were—but in her hands they’re dirge-y and dreary as all get out. (She also plays in straight-up minor keys.) And I love it.
The Ottawa-born musician got her start many years ago by busking in the Paris metro playing Leonard Cohen songs. Probably not the Cohen songs everyone thinks they know, the ones schoolchildren sing and old ladies swoon to, but deep cuts from Songs of Love and Hate. Like that classic wrist-slasher “Dress Rehearsal Rag.” Just a wild guess.
Gendron sings, in both English and French, like someone who’s lived through a war or two, metaphorical or otherwise. She’s a late-bloomer: a middle-aged parent who is, on this, her third album, grieving the loss of her own parent. Put simply: it’s a bummer. And yet the lilt of her guitar and her Nico-ish delivery are completely entrancing. Uplifting, even, in the way that recognizing someone else’s darkness in your own can be. Myriam Gendron knows. You can feel it. And you also feel that together, performer and audience recognizing and affirming each other, that you’re both going to get through whatever shit you’re forced to crawl through on a daily basis.
She gets some top-shelf help in this journey: among them are Australian drummer Jim White (Dirty Three), and American guitarists Marisa Anderson and Bill Nace, all of whom add the most subtle of touches that say so much, especially the way White skitters and dances around Gendron’s elemental rhythm.
But after a consistently stunning and haunting nine tracks, it’s saxophonist Zoh Amba who almost steals the show entirely on the final track, by jolting the listener awake with… well, I’m not going to tell you. It’s a thrilling catharsis that’s best experienced as a surprise. And it’s hard to put into words anyway. So:
Jesse Locke has a lovely conversation with the Montreal goth-folkie at Stereogum here. And Jennifer Kelly at Bandcamp also has a great piece:
Myriam Gendron plays the Collective Arts Taproom (Dundas W. and Markham) on Thursday, June 27 at 8 p.m.; Andre Ethier opens. She’s the opening act for Kurt Vile the following night at the Danforth Music Hall.
Last time she was in town she played for, I believe, five people at the Drake Underground. I couldn’t make it. I knew people who would’ve gone if they’d known, but because there were no listings in this town at that time, they missed it. That incident was one of several inspirations for this newsletter’s existence. So thanks to everyone who complained about it!
Two of Gendron’s guests on her record are half of this band:
Beings – There is a Garden
(No Quarter)
Like all the only good supergroups, this one has people you’ve (likely) never heard of. Maybe Jim White, the drummer in the Dirty Three (whose first album in 12 years is out soon). Maybe Steve Gunn, if you follow modern psychedelic drone-y guitar music. Maybe Shahzad Ismaily, if you’ve been able to read any liner notes in the last 10 years or more (Feist, Tom Waits, Laurie Anderson, Marc Ribot, Arooj Aftab and dozens more).
But most likely not Zoh Amba, a 23-year-old Ayler-esque saxophone player hanging around a whole bunch of people you definitely have heard of, like John Zorn. (Or: Myriam Gendron, see above.) The only reason I know Zoh Amba is because I saw her skronky set at the Hillside Festival last year, frightening folkies (for the better).
The Tennesseean is back at Hillside this year, with these much older dudes in tow (on the Sunday night, sked here). The band known as Beings is much more friendly than her free jazz, but that doesn’t mean it’s safe or easily digestible—again, in good ways.
The real revelation is Amba’s singing voice, on songs like “Flowers That Talk,” which is surprisingly gentle, a calm in the improvisatory chaos. She uses it sparingly: this is very much a group of four equal parts, not one focused around a singer or, for that matter, lead player.
Arielle Gordon at Stereogum has a good profile of the band here.
Beings are only playing 10 dates this summer; Hillside is the first one, and the only Canadian stop.
All news no snooze
Thinking about both the above artists together now, it occurs to me that I saw them both, separately, clear out audiences at the Hillside festival in recent years. Which is fine: I prefer extreme reactions to something everyone thinks is just okay. Kudos to Hillside for continuing to book the weirdos alongside the guaranteed crowd-pleasers. The festival’s schedule went up this week, and there’s at least two acts I want to see during every single time slot.
Which brings me to my annual festival prayer: God, grant me the serenity to accept the acts I cannot see, the courage to see the acts I can, and the wisdom to know the difference.
It was during this heat wave that I realized that director Steve McQueen’s Small Axe series has been liberated from the clutches of Bezos and can now be streamed for free at TVO, in particular the tiny masterpiece “Lovers Rock,” set at a reggae house party in London in the early ’80s, with some of the most beautiful (and accurate, regardless of time, genre or locale) depictions of musical joy I’ve ever seen on film.
Why was I browsing TVO’s website? Because a powerful film made by my friend Ian Daffern, A Bullet Pulling Thread, is streaming there now. I caught the premiere at Hot Docs a while back. It’s about a woman whose brother, an encampment activist in B.C., is shot by police, and how she quilts her way through her grief. You can find it here. Even the Globe and Mail’s Barry Hertz loved it—just as much as that Parisian shark movie!
Hearts on Fire readers: Alexisonfire are releasing a career-spanning live album, Live: Born & Raised 2022, St Catharines ON, in time for this year’s hometown festival the July 5 weekend.
Have Not Been the Same readers: There’s a new Jim Cuddy solo record out, and on it is a song he wrote for the family of John Mann, from Spirit of the West. From his official bio, I’ll let Cuddy tell the story, a story I have to assume he got permission to tell:
“The story behind ‘Impossible’ starts with John Mann (Spirit of the West), who tragically died of Alzheimer’s in his fifties, and his wife Jill Daum. Their son lived through some personal challenges, and for a time was unhoused. As a parent, you are only as happy as your least happy child, and seeing their unhappiness, rootlessness, and homelessness would be incredible pressure. I wrote this for Jill to share with her, as a parent, that whatever your child does, your love for them is rock solid and enduring, and that the idea of turning your back on them is impossible.” Watch the official video for “Impossible” here. [directed by Jenn Grant]
Los Lobos are one of my favourite bands of all time, widely celebrated yet somehow still criminally underrated for 50 years now. I once got to tell David Hidalgo that he’s one of the reasons I play accordion; he seemed to take it well. Interviewing Steve Berlin for The Never-Ending Present was an absolute delight. This band has long deserved a documentary, and now it’s finally here:
Calgary is in the midst of a massive water crisis. The Cassandra in me thinks this is just the beginning of a larger problem, and how Calgarians react—or don’t—will be a harbinger for the future. The Narwhal dives into the dilemma here.
Adam Bunch writes about anarchist hero Emma Goldman’s deep history in Toronto. Who’s Emma? you ask. This article will tell all, although oddly it doesn’t mention her most famous quote (in lefty music circles, anyway): “If I can't dance, I don't want to be part of your revolution.”
Extractive foreign industries are complaining about coughing up for Canadian culture. Boo-fucking-hoo.
T.O. SHOWS YOU SHOULD KNOW
An entirely subjective and by no means comprehensive look at Toronto’s concert calendar, tailored to musically curious people who are probably (but not necessarily) over 40. My strong recommendations in bold.
Suggestions welcome. So are advertisers! Each post gets approximately 1K unique views. Drop me a line.
Don’t live in Toronto? Most of these artists are on tour, so check your local listings. Just kidding! There are no local listings anymore. Check the artists’ websites.
JUST ANNOUNCED (mark your calendars):
Carlos Niño & Friends (may or may not include one of the biggest names in hip-hop history chilling out on flute): June 26 at Sonic Boom, 6 p.m., free
Brittany Howard, Julian Taylor: Aug 17 at CNE Bandshell
Bahamas, Jeremie Albino: Aug 18 at CNE Bandshell
Moneen: Aug 23 at CNE Bandshell
April Wine(ish): Aug 31 at CNE Bandshell
The Cult: Sept 6 at History
Squeeze, the English Beat: Sept 7 at Roy Thomson Hall
Bad Religion: Sept 24 at Danforth Music Hall
Claire Rousay: Sept 26 at Monarch Tavern
Julien Baker: Oct 1-2 at Concert Hall
The Psychedelic Furs, The Jesus and Mary Chain: Oct 9 at Queen Elizabeth Theatre
Tonight and every night!:
The Tranzac and Drom Taberna, the two venues closest to my heart, boast several acts a night and have the most eclectic lineups — just go! The equally busy Cameron House has mostly roots vibes; jazz is always happening at the Rex Hotel. Jazzintoronto.ca’s Instagram page has daily jazz listings at various venues. For the best in Toronto’s Latin and Caribbean scene, check Lula Lounge.
Coming this week:
Dave Bidini, Ryan Wayne: June 20 at West End Phoenix office (Bloor/Bartlett), 7 p.m. #HaveNotBeentheSame
Mo Lowda & the Humble, The Thing: June 20 at Horseshoe Tavern. Headliner is a Philly indie rock band that could be sons of War on Drugs. But the opening act, The Thing, is the Scandinavian jazz trio, featuring saxophonist Mats Gustafsson, who once recorded with Neneh Cherry. I WAS SO WRONG ABOUT THIS. The Thing are a random NYC band. Which is confusing, because Gustafsson is actually in Ontario this very same week, and playing in Hamilton on this night. These are the problems when you call your band The Thing.
Los Campesinos!: June 20 at the Opera House
NQ Arbuckle, Carolyn Mark: June 21 at Horseshoe. One is among my favourite all-time songwriters/performers, and the other guy made one of my favourite records last year:
Tobi (rap) with Shout! the Band (brass): June 21 at the UoT Grove, Toronto Jazz Fest, 8.45 p.m.
Arkells, Tegan & Sara: June 21 at Ontario Place Ampitheatre #HeartsOnFire
Horsegirl, Cindy, Lal: June 21 at Velvet Underground
Matthew Barber sings Tom Petty: June 21 at Crow’s Theatre. Details here.
Arkells, Grouplove: June 22 at Ontario Place Ampitheatre
SOS ABBA Experience: June 22 at Opera House. Not holograms!
The Teskey Brothers: June 22 at Massey Hall (two shows, including matinee)
Preservation Hall Jazz Band: June 22 at Concert Hall
Wake for X-Ray McCrae: June 23 at, yes, the Horseshoe, the venue he owned and booked from 1981-98. Featuring Stephen Stanley & H. Chris Brown, Tom and Thompson Wilson, Bazil Donovan and more. #HaveNotBeentheSame
Caroline Davis & Wendy Eisenberg: June 23 at Standard Time (165 Geary). Presented by the Tone Festival and the Music Gallery.
Jill Barber: June 23-24 at Jazz Bistro
Chief Adjuah (Christian Scott) & the Wisdom of Orixa, Dominique Fils-Aimé: June 24 at the UoT Grove, Toronto Jazz Fest 8.45 p.m., 6.45 p.m. respectively. Adjuah’s 2019 album Ancestral Recall was one of my top-three favourites of that year.
Richard Flohil’s 90th birthday: June 24 at Lula Lounge. Featuring Samantha Martin & Delta Sugar as the house band, and an all-star lineup (plus secret special guests) you’d expect for someone with more than six decades of experience behind the scenes in Canadian music. Sold out!
The Church, Afghan Whigs, Ed Harcourt: June 24 at Danforth Music Hall
Ian Thomas: June 24 at Burlington Performing Arts Centre
Lip Critic: June 25 at the Garrison. Two drummers, two samplers, one singer, NYC in the 21C. There will be no. sleep. in Brooklyn.
Maren Morris opening for Maroon 5: June 25 at Ontario Place Ampitheatre
ML Buch, Joseph Shabason: June 25 at Longboat Hall
Santana, Counting Crows: June 26 at Ontario Place Ampitheatre. Have you ever heard Santana’s 1974 live album Lotus? I only did this past month because wrote about it here, and holy hell is it good. This show will most likely not be as good.
Andy Haas, Mike Milligan: June 26 at Sellers & Newel
Wolf Eyes w/ Anthony Braxton: June 26 at Great Hall
Kyp Harness: June 26 at the Local (Roncy) 9 p.m.
Myriam Gendron, Andre Ethier: June 27 at Collective Arts Taproom (Dundas and Markham), 8 p.m. See above.
Norah Jones, William Prince: June 27 at Ontario Place Ampitheatre
Barenaked Ladies, Sam Roberts Band, KT Tunstall: June 27 at Sobeys Stadium (York University). #HaveNotBeentheSame #NeverEndingPresent #HeartsonFire.
Roadkill: June 27 at Revue Cinema 9.30 p.m. 35th anniversary screening of perhaps the greatest Canadian rock’n’road movie ever made, one whose inspiration is detailed in Have Not Been the Same. Screenwriter Don McKellar and star Valerie Buhagiar in attendance.
Coming sooner than later
Caifanes and Cafe Tacvba: June 28 at Ontario Place Ampitheatre.
Maurice Gordon Quintet plays Ernest Ranglin and Don Drummund: June 28 at CONTXT by Trane (Lansdowne/College) 7 p.m.
Lake Street Dive: June 28 at History
Pedro the Lion: June 28 at Great Hall
Neon Dreams: June 28 at Velvet Underground
Kurt Vile & Violators, Myriam Gendron: June 28 at Danforth Music Hall. Get there early and pay attention to the opener! Or go see her the night before at Collective Arts.
André 3000: June 28 at Massey Hall
Cory Henry: June 29 at the Concert Hall, Toronto Jazz Fest
Ali Brothers (Brownman and Marcus): June 29 at CONTXT by Trane (Lansdowne/College) 7 p.m.
Nick Maclean Quartet feat. Brownman Ali: June 30 at CONTXT by Trane (Lansdowne/College) 4 p.m.
Jhené Aiko: July 2 at Raptors/Leafs Arena
The Conscience Pilate, High Flyer: July 2 at the Horseshoe
Wilco: July 2-3 at Massey Hall. July 2 is with local Katie Cruel; July 3 with Cut Worms.
Janet Jackson, Nelly: July 3 at Raptors/Leafs Arena
Jacob Gorzhaltzan: July 3 at Emmet Ray. Presented by Toronto Klezmer Society
Orville Peck, the War and Treaty, Goldie Boutilier: July 3 at Ontario Place Ampitheatre.
Future Islands: July 4 at Massey Hall
Heaven Stood Still: The Incarnations of Willy DeVille: July 4 at Paradise Theatre 7 p.m.
Daryl Hall, Elvis Costello & the Impostors: July 4 at Ontario Place Ampitheatre.
Madison Cunningham: July 4 at Concert Hall
Tomb Mold, Horrendous: July 4 at Lee’s Palace
Tamara Williamson performs The Break-Up Diet: July 4-7 at the Theatre Centre
Mother Mother, Cavetown: July 5 at Ontario Place Ampitheatre
City and Colour, Metric, Sloan: July 5 at Born & Raised Festival (St. Catharines) #HeartsOnFire #HaveNotBeentheSame
The Body & Dis Fig: July 5 at Velvet Underground
Psychic Weapons, Artificial Light, Timehole: July 5 at Sneaky Dee’s. Yes, that’s the correct venue. 6.30 p.m., before the mo’ emo crowd take over for their dance night.
L’eclair: July 5 at the Horseshoe. This Swiss electro-jam outfit, who backed up the Zambian rock band W.I.T.C.H. recently, return after an ecstatic show at the Monarch last year.
Os Mutantes: July 5 at Great Hall. Everything is possible! Except maybe the late Rita Lee making this gig.
Cola, Devon Welsh: July 5 at Garrison
Band of Horses: July 5 at History. Huh: I guess Mariposa doesn’t have a radius clause.
Mariposa Festival: July 5-7 in Orillia. Featuring Band of Horses, Donovan Woods, Okkervill River, Bahamas, Maestro Fresh Wes, Ben Caplan, Bry Webb, Shad, Cat Clyde, Carleigh Aikins, Colin Linden, Jeremie Albino, B.A. Johnston. And a “special performance” by Bruce Cockburn. Tickets here.
Alexisonfire, The Used, Counterparts: July 6 at Born & Raised Festival (St. Catharines) #HeartsOnFire
Big Shiny Saturday feat. The Tea Party, Headstones, I Mother Earth, Bif Naked, Treble Charger: July 6 at Sobey’s Stadium (York University)
Etran de l’Aïr: July 7 at Longboat Hall (Great Hall)
Killer Mike: July 7 at Danforth Music Hall
Neil Young & Crazy Horse: July 8 at Ontario Place Ampitheatre (in addition to May 20 show)
Steve Earle: July 8 at Danforth Music Hall. Also playing London, Hamilton, Ottawa and Kingston that same week.
Tyler Childers, S.G. Goodman: July 9 at Ontario Place Ampitheatre
Jah Wobble: July 10 at Great Hall. The bassist/bandleader will be toting his new memoir and playing Public Image Ltd. songs.
Mt. Joy: July 10 at Ontario Place Ampitheatre
Amanda Marshall, Colin James, Ahi: July 12 at Ontario Place Ampitheatre
Billy Talent, Cancer Bats: July 12 at Because Beer Festival, Pier 4 Park, Hamilton #HeartsOnFire
Five Alarm Funk: July 12 at Axis Club
Four Winds Music Fest feat. Bahamas, Joel Plaskett, Great Lake Swimmers, Daniel Romano’s Outfit, Terra Lightfoot, Boy Golden, more: July 12-14 in Durham (the town, not the county; between Guelph and Owen Sound, near Flesherton). Info here.
Alanis Morissette, Joan Jett: July 13-14 at Ontario Place Ampitheatre
Ben Howard, John Francis Flynn: July 13 at History. I know nothing about the headliner, but the Irish Flynn is often mentioned in the same breath as Lankum and Lisa O’Neill.
Tokyo Police Club, Dizzy, Cuff the Duke: July 13 at Because Beer Festival, Pier 4 Park, Hamilton
Pup, NoBro, Daniel Romano’s Outfit, Status/Non-Status: July 14 at Because Beer Festival, Pier 4 Park, Hamilton
Red Hot Chili Peppers, Wand, IronTom: July 15 & 17 at Ontario Place Ampitheatre
Mike Campbell (Tom Petty’s Heartbreakers): July 16 at Danforth Music Hall
Ibibio Sound Machine: July 17 at Adelaide Hall.
John Williams (clarinet): July 17 at Emmet Ray. Presented by Toronto Klezmer Society
Unwound (!), Wednesday: July 18 at Concert Hall
Schoolboy Q: July 18 at History
Hillside Festival: July 19-21 featuring Richard Thompson, Aysanabee, Blackie & the Rodeo Kings with Daniel Lanois & Terra Lightfoot, Bombino, Messthetics with James Brandon Lewis, Nobro, Patrick Watson, Beings (Steve Gunn, Jim White, Shahzad Ismaily, Zoh Amba), Medicine Singers w Yonatan Gat & Lee Ranaldo, Five Alarm Funk, Land of Talk, Rich Aucoin, Ashley MacIsaac and much much more. Details here. UPDATE: The weekend schedule is here.
3 Inches of Blood: July 20 at Danforth Music Hall
Totally Tubular Festival: Thomas Dolby, Tom Bailey, Men Without Hats, Bow Wow Wow, Modern English, New Romantics: July 24 at Great Canadian Casino (Woodbine Racetrack)
Felice Brothers: July 24 at Longboat Hall
Regina Spektor: July 25 at History
Skratch Bastid’s BBQ: July 27-28 at the Bentway
Slash, Warren Haynes Band, Robert Randolph, Keb Mo, more: July 28 at Ontario Place Ampitheatre
Looking ahead
Tinariwen: July 31 at the Phoenix
Green Day, Smashing Pumpkins, Rancid, the Linda Lindas: Aug 1 at Skydome
Heart, Journey, Def Leppard: Aug 2 at Skydome.
DIIV: Aug 2 at Concert Hall
PartyNextDoor: Aug 2 at Ontario Place Ampitheatre. Not a fan of this act, at all, but this is the best name possible for an artist from Mississauga.
Jennifer Lopez: Aug 2-3 at Raptors/Leafs Arena CANCELLED
Electric Eclectics Festival: Aug 2-4 at the Funny Farm in Meaford, Ontario. Weirdos unite! Details here.
Sleater-Kinney: Aug 3 at Danforth Music Hall.
Big Brave: Aug 3 at Garrison
Zemertov: Aug 7 at Emmet Ray. Presented by Toronto Klezmer Society
Billy Idol, Platinum Blonde: Aug 9 at Raptors/Leafs Arena.
Karan Aujla: Aug 10 at Raptors/Leafs Arena.
Joel Plaskett Emergency: Aug 10 opening for Alan Doyle at Ontario Place Ampitheatre #HeartsOnFire
Future, Metro Boomin: Aug 11 at Raptors/Leafs Arena
Avril Lavigne: Aug 12 at Raptors/Leafs Arena
Idina Menzel: Aug 13 at Massey Hall
Black Flag: Aug 13 at Rockpile. Playing music from their first four years.
P!nk, Sheryl Crow: Aug 14 at Skydome
Washed Out: Aug 14 at Danforth Music Hall
Tedeschi Trucks Band, Margo Price: Aug 15 at Ontario Place Ampitheatre
Blink 182, Alexisonfire, Pierce the Veil: Aug 15 at Skydome
Avril Lavigne: Aug 16 at Ontario Place Ampitheatre
Midge Ure: Aug 16 at El Mocambo
Elora RiverFest: Aug 16-18 featuring Fleet Foxes, Violent Femmes, Sudan Archives, Corb Lund, Chali 2na & Cut Chemist, Wild Rivers, Bully, Moneen, Mariel Buckley, Nicolette & the Nobodies, Nyssa, Population II, more. Details here.
Iron & Wine: Aug 17 at Danforth Music Hall
A Flock of Seagulls: Aug 17 at El Mocambo
NOFX: Aug 17-18 at Downsview Park. Final tour.
New Kids on the Block, Paula Abdul, DJ Jazzy Jeff: Aug 17-18 at Ontario Place Ampitheatre
Childish Gambino: Aug 18 at Raptors/Leafs Arena
Mike.: Aug 18 at History. Not joining him: Dave.
Santigold: Aug 19 at Rebel.
Missy Elliott, Busta Rhymes, Ciara, Timbaland: Aug 19-20 at Raptors/Leafs Arena
Bush (X), Jerry Cantrell, Candlebox: Aug 19 at Ontario Place Ampitheatre
Nate Dell-Vandenberg: Aug 19 at Emmet Ray. Presented by Toronto Klezmer Society
King Gizzard and the Lizard Wizard: Aug 21 at Ontario Place Ampitheatre
The Beaches, Dizzy, Valley: Aug 22 at Ontario Place Ampitheatre. Beaches by the beach! Also: tix are only $30.
Passenger: Aug 22 at Massey Hall
Ducks Ltd.: Aug 22 at Longboat Hall
Blue Rodeo, Matt Mays, Begonia: Aug 24 at Ontario Place Ampitheatre #HaveNotBeentheSame
Mae Martin, Tig Notaro & Fortune Feimster’s Handsome podcast taping: Aug 24 at Danforth Music Hall.
Fall Out Boy, Jimmy Eat World, Dashboard Confessional, Fefe Dobson, more: Aug 24 at Burl’s Creek (Oro-Medonte)
Billy Talent, All-American Rejects, Silverstein, more: Aug 25 at Burl’s Creek (Oro-Medonte) #HeartsOnFire
Deep Purple, Yes: Aug 25 at Ontario Place Ampitheatre
The Gaslight Anthem: Aug 25 at History
Cage the Elephant: Aug 27 at Ontario Place Ampitheatre
Sean Paul, DJ Premier: Aug 28 at Ontario Place Ampitheatre
Ladytron: Aug 30 at the Phoenix
Raekwon: Aug 30 at Opera House
Peter Hook & the Light (performing Joy Division and New Order): Aug 31 at History
Cigarettes After Sex: Sept 1 at Raptors/Leafs arena
Usher: Sept 2-3 at Raptors/Leafs Arena
Bikini Kill: Sept 3 at History
Marika Hackman: Sept 5 at Drake Underground
Weezer, Flaming Lips, Dinosaur Jr.: Sept 8 at Raptors/Leafs Arena. The dream of the ’90s is alive!
Stone Temple Pilots, Live, Soul Asylum, Our Lady Peace: Sept 8 at Ontario Place Ampitheatre. The dream of the ’90s is alive! I can’t believe this and the Weezer bill hit town on the same day. Choose your team.
Jeff Lynne’s ELO: Sept 9 at Raptors/Leafs Arena
Spoon: Sept 10 at Danforth Music Hall.
Sierra Ferrell: Sept 10 at Massey Hall
The Killers: Sept 10-11 at Ontario Place Ampitheatre
Pulp: Sept 10-11 at History. Help the aged!
Paul Weller: Sept 13 at History
Buzzcocks: Sept 13 at Opera House
Mia Sheard sings Joni Mitchell: Sept 13-14 at Hugh’s Room
St. Vincent: Sept 14 at Massey Hall
Boy Golden: Sept 14 at Opera House
Explosions in the Sky: Sept 14 at Queen Elizabeth Theatre
Cat Power: Sept 14 at Fallsview Casino. That’s right, ’90s weirdos, you’re in your casino years now.
The Dears: Sept 15 at Great Hall. #HeartsOnFire
The Hives: Sept 16 at History.
Jessica Pratt: Sept 17 at Great Hall the Phoenix
Amen Dunes: Sept 17 at Concert Hall
Charlie XCX and Troye Sivan: Sept 18 at Raptors/Leafs Arena
Phosphorescent: Sept 18 at Great Hall
Jane’s Addiction, Love and Rockets: Sept 18 at Ontario Place Ampitheatre
Hans Zimmer: Sept 19 at Raptors/Leafs Arena
Frank Turner: Sept 19-22 at Great Canadian Casino (Woodbine Racetrack). Support acts: Henry Rollins on Sept 19, Nobro on Sept 20, the Dirty Nil on Sept 21 and Bedouin Soundclash on Sept 22.
Shovels & Rope: Sept 20 at Lee’s Palace
The National, War on Drugs, Lucius: Sept 20 at Ontario Place Ampitheatre
Idles: Sept 20 at Coca-Cola Coliseum (Exhibition Place)
Wanda Sykes: Sept 20 at Meridian Hall
Keane: Sept 20 at Queen Elizabeth Theatre
Idles: Sept 20 at CNE Coliseum
Blue Hawaii: Sept 20 at Drake Underground
Big Sugar: Sept 21 at Concert Hall
Pansy Division: Sept 21 at Monarch Tavern.
Sting: Sept 20-22 & 24-25 at Massey Hall.
Vampire Weekend, Cults: Sept 24 at Ontario Place Ampitheatre
Korn: Sept 25 at Ontario Place Ampitheatre
Michael Kiwanuka, Basia Bulat: Sept 25 at Queen Elizabeth Theatre
PJ Harvey: Sept 25-26 at History
Dropkick Murphys: Sept 26 at Great Canadian Casino (Woodbine Racetrack)
Neko Case: Sept 27 at Danforth Music Hall.
Canadian Songwriters Hall of Fame: Sept 28 at Massey Hall, featuring Sarah McLachlan, Tom Cochrane, Keelor/Cuddy, Diane Tell.
Luna Li, Mother Tongues: September 28 at Danforth Music Hall
The Marley Brothers (including Ziggy, Damian and Stephen): Sept 29 at Ontario Place Ampitheatre
Kings of Leon, Phantogram: Oct 1 at Ontario Place Ampitheatre
Herbie Hancock: Oct 1 at Massey Hall
Mk.Gee: Oct 1 at History
Billie Eilish: Oct 1-2 at Raptors/Leafs Arena
Marcos Valle: Oct 2 at Opera House. Exceedingly rare appearance by this now-80-year-old bossa nova legend.
David Sedaris: Oct 2 at Massey Hall (in addition to sold-out April 7, 2024 date)
Stars: Oct 3-5 at Concert Hall. #HeartsOnFire 20th anniversary of Set Yourself on Fire. First two shows sold out.
Death From Above 1979: Oct 4 at History
Ron Hawkins: Oct 4 at Rivoli. #HaveNotBeentheSame
Get Up Kids, Smoking Popes: Oct 4 at Danforth Music Hall
Raffi: Oct 5 (2 shows) at Massey Hall
Lemon Twigs: Oct 5 at Lee’s Palace
Social Distortion, the Bellrays: October 5 at History
Atarashii Gakko: Oct 6 at History
Yard Act: Oct 7 at Axis Club Concert Hall
Fidlar: Oct 7 at Phoenix
OMD: October 8 at History
Nada Surf: Oct 8 at Great Hall
Chromeo: Oct 9 at History
Sepultura: Oct 9 at Rebel. Farewell tour (apparently).
Mdou Moctar: Oct 9 at Concert Hall
The Black Keys, the Head and the Heart: Oct 11 at Raptors/Leafs Arena Cancelled
Nia Archives: Oct 10 at Danforth Music Hall
Billy Bragg: Oct 11 at Massey Hall
Fontaines DC: Oct 11 at Queen Elizabeth Theatre
Illuminati Hotties: Oct 12 at Longboat Hall
La Luz: Oct 12 at Horseshoe Adelaide Hall
Air: Oct 12 at Massey Hall. Playing Moon Safari. And completely sold out.
Hanson: Oct 13-14 at Danforth Music Hall. Oct 13 with Matthew Sweet, Oct 14 with Phantom Planet.
Johnny Marr w/ James (the band, you know, “Laid”): Oct 14 at History. In the words of one friend, “Marr plays a pile of Smiths songs in his set, sounds great, won’t cancel at random, and won’t make you feel like you’re supporting fascists if you go to his show.”
Anohni and the Johnsons: Oct 15 at Massey Hall. This artist never tours. Their last record was one of their best. This will be a treat. Presale: June 12, code: EMBANOHNI
Kokoroko: Oct 16 at Opera House
Pokey Lafarge: Oct 17 at Great Hall
Justin Timberlake: Oct 17-18 at Raptors/Leafs Arena
Beat: (’80s King Crimson performed by Adrian Belew, Tony Levin, Steve Vai, Danny Carey): Oct 18 at Massey Hall
Dream Serenade (10th anniversary): Oct 19 at Massey Hall. Tickets here. Artists TBA.
Cyndi Lauper: Oct 20 at Raptors/Leafs Arena. Farewell tour (apparently).
Slift: Oct 20 at Lee’s Palace. Super heavy French psych rock band who make King Gizzard look like lightweights. Can we get Montreal’s Population II on this bill?
Maggie Rogers: Oct 22 at CNE Coliseum (a.k.a. Coca Cola)
The The: Oct 22 at Massey Hall. First album in a quarter-century out this fall.
Drive-By Truckers: Oct 22 at Danforth Music Hall. Playing Southern Rock Opera.
Richard Thompson: Oct 22 at Concert Hall. But you should still see him at Hillside!
Tokimonsta: Oct 23 at Opera House
David Cross: Oct 25 at Danforth Music Hall
Sisters of Mercy: Oct 26 at History. Yes, five days before Hallowe’en, and no, Public Enemy will not be opening.
Dwayne Gretzky: Oct 26 at Massey Hall
Iron Maiden: Oct 26 at Raptors/Leafs Arena
Tenille Townes: Oct 26 at Danforth Music Hall
Arc du Soleil: Oct 27 at Great Hall Phoenix
Ben Caplan: Oct 29 at Allied Music Centre (inside Massey Hall)
Fucked Up: Oct 31 at Great Hall #HeartsOnFire
Devonté Hynes with Toronto Symphony Orchestra: Nov 1 at Roy Thomson Hall
Patrick Watson with Orchestre FILMharmonique: Nov 2 at Meridian Hall
Mickey Guyton: Nov 2 at… the Velvet Underground? That’s an odd choice for an Opry artist.
Bruce Springsteen and the E-Street Band: Nov 3 & 6 at Raptors/Leafs Arena. Rescheduled from Nov 14 & 16, 2023.
Godspeed You! Black Emperor: Nov 5 at Concert Hall. #HeartsOnFire
Engelbert Humperdinck: Nov 6 at Massey Hall. FWIW this is “The Last Waltz” for Mr. Humperdinck (not his real name).
Kacey Musgraves, Lord Huron, Nickel Creek: Nov 7 at Raptors/Leafs Arena
Elisapie: Nov 8 at Opera House
Chantal Kreviazuk: Nov 9 at Massey Hall. Celebrating 25 years of her second album, Colour Moving and Still, to be re-released on vinyl.
Danny Michel, Steve Poltz: Nov 11 at Great Hall. Together again—they’re the new Steve Martin and Martin Short!
La Femme: Nov 13 at Opera House
Suzie Ungerleider & friends: Nov 14 at Hugh’s Room
Taylor Swift, Gracie Abrams: November 14-16, 21-23, 2024 at Skydome. Good luck! Death to Ticketmaster!
Rich Aucoin: Nov 16 at Longboat Hall
Adrianne Lenker (Big Thief): Nov 16 at Queen Elizabeth Theatre
Pond: Nov 19 at Danforth Music Hall
Rufus Wainwright: Nov 20 at Koerner Hall
Reuben & the Dark, Housewife: Nov 20 at Great Hall. Presented by No Music on a Dead Planet campaign.
Sturgill Simpson: Nov 20-21 at Massey Hall
Geoffroy: Nov 20-21 at Drake Underground
Caribou: Nov 23 at Massey Hall. Never underestimate how good Dan Snaith’s Caribou band is live. #HeartsOnFire
Caribou: Nov 24 at History #HeartsOnFire.
Jim Cuddy: Nov 27 at Massey Hall. Non-Torontonians: He’s also playing every possible town in Ontario this year, to promote sixth solo album.
Tokyo Police Club: Nov 27-29 at History. Final shows.
Women’s Blues Revue: Nov 29 at Massey Hall
Cuff the Duke: Nov 30 at Longboat Hall. New album in September, their first in 10 years. #HeartsOnFire
Shakira: Nov 30 at Raptors/Leafs Arena
Sister Sledge: Nov 30 at Living Arts Centre, Mississauga
Donovan Woods: Dec 5 at Massey Hall
Alvvays: Dec 5-7 at Concert Hall
The Dead South: Dec 7 at Massey Hall
Choir! Choir! Choir!: Unsilent Night: Dec 21 at Massey Hall (2 p.m. & 8 p.m.)
Aerosmith, Black Crowes: Jan 7 at Raptors/Leafs Arena. Rescheduled for the second time, more than a year after the original date. Apparently Steven Tyler’s vocal cords were in worse shape than originally diagnosed. Original tickets from November 2023 honoured.
Sum 41: Jan 28 & 30, 2025, at Raptors/Leafs Arena. Final shows of final tour.
Branford Marsalis: Feb 8 at Koerner Hall
Travis: Feb 12 at Concert Hall
Apocalyptica (Metallica string quartet): Feb 13 at Queen Elizabeth Theatre
Los Lobos (acoustic): March 8 at Koerner Hall
Big Smoke Brass: March 11 at Allied Music Centre (Massey Hall)
Chilly Gonzales: April 22 at Massey Hall. #HeartsOnFire
Max Richter: April 29 at Massey Hall
Talib Kweli: May 2 at Living Arts Centre, Mississauga
Be kind to each other.
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