Festival!

Hillside preview pt. 2 + Toronto live music listings

The Hillside Festival in Guelph, my annual can’t-miss event, is this weekend. Part one of this preview, focusing on the international acts playing, is here. Note: Petite Noir has had to cancel (as well as his Toronto show tonight with Pantayo).

This week we’ll look at the Canucks.

Weekend and daily tickets are still available. Full schedule is here.

Ikky

The biggest name at Hillside that (I’m guessing) you’ve never heard of: Ikwinder Singh is the South Asian-Canadian producer behind Vancouver’s global superstar Karan Aujla. This is kind of like if Noah “40” Shabib, the architect of Drake’s sound, were to show up—or, say, Caribou, in terms of EDM based in house music. Punjabi music is blowing up into one of the biggest sectors of Canadian music, so expect Ikky’s Sunday set, 8.30 p.m. at the Island Stage, to be one of the most explosive things all weekend. This is definitely not music you’d normally find at a folk festival, but the times are always a-changing:

Bibi Club

Hillside audiences flipped the fuck out for Bibi Club’s set here two years ago, and now they’re back with a popular new album that just landed them on the Polaris shortlist. For a duo with just electronics and guitar, their stage show is oddly compelling—mostly because their modern take on early-’90s new wave sounds so huge.

It sucks that they’re competing with Femi Kuti on the main stage Saturday night, but you could still catch 40 minutes of the African big band before sauntering over to the Island Stage at 10.10 p.m.

Abigail Lapell

This is much more like traditional folkfest territory. This Toronto singer-songwriter excels at both those jobs: she has a seemingly effortless vocal ability, and is at work writing the new Ontario songbook in the wake of Sarah Harmer and Tony Dekker (the latter produced her newest record); she also had a minor viral hit covering The Weeknd’s “Blinding Lights.” Lapell has a disarming stage presence that will be right at home at Hillside. Do not miss her set, Saturday at 2.30 p.m. on the Island Stage.

Jolie Laide

This band is new, but the players are not. Nina Nastasia is a New York City singer-songwriter who released several albums in the 2000s, all produced by Steve Albini; the Cape May are a Calgary group who met her in Albini’s studio and became her touring band, then her collaborators on this project.

All songs are sung as a duet between Nastasia and Clinton St. John, sounding not unlike something between Low and the Handsome Family. Calling all goth-folkies or anyone who wishes Nick Cave and PJ Harvey did more duets: Jolie Laide play Saturday at 8.40 p.m. on the Island Stage.

Jon McKiel

Haunting, sparse psychedelic folk from Sackville, New Brunswick, like a much weirder Fleet Foxes (who are a big fan of McKiel’s), featuring odd textures and soundscapes behind McKiel’s voice. He’s joined by experimental musician Jay Crocker (Joyfultalk, and a former member of Ghostkeeper, who are also performing at Hillside), who ensures that McKiel’s music doesn’t really sound like anybody else in so-called indie rock—except maybe Cindy Lee.

McKiel plays Saturday at 4.50 p.m. on the Island Stage—perhaps when your shrooms start kicking in.

Kelly McMichael

A homecoming of sorts for McMichael, who grew up in Peterborough and is now based in St. John’s, but who went to art school in Guelph in the same circles as Gentleman Reg and the Gordon brothers, starting out in the synth project Rouge. She just landed on the Polaris shortlist for the second time, with 2024’s After the Sting of It, which showcases her summer-y soft-rock stylings; like her former employer Sarah Harmer, she’s actually capable of the rock half of that equation.

Lex Leosis

It’s almost hard to believe that not that long ago, Leosis was in rap group the Sorority, with Polaris winner Haviah Mighty (who slayed at Hillside a few years ago) and Phoenix Pagliacci (whose 2024 album is highly underrated). Leosis has put out several singles and EPs since, but hopefully there’s something new arriving on the heels of this single, the title of which is sure to self-actualize in the coming days:

Lex Leosis plays Friday at 8.40 p.m. on the Island Stage.

Bria Salmena

The former Frig and side player for Orville Peck during his ascent to stardom (which included a stunning Hillside set in 2019), Bria Salmena is now solo (with some former Frigs in tow) with her own Sub Pop deal that began with goth-y covers of country classics, then a recent full-length debut of originals.

This video checks off many boxes for Hillsiders of my generation: a) ’90s grunge, b) lesbians, c) naked people. Who knows what could happen at her Saturday set? 6.40 p.m. at Island Stage.

(Made you click, didn’t I?)

Torrance

Speaking of ’90s lady grunge, Mrs. Torrance was a power trio led by Tamara Williamson that had a brief moment adjacent to the sun 30 years ago: signed to a major label, and opening for Oasis’s first-ever Toronto show. She then collaborated with the Rheostatics and King Cobb Steelie (making her practically an honorable Guelphite). After a series of solo albums that were progressively ambient-ish with layered harmonies and guitars, she’s now returned, sans Mrs., to the power-trio format and revisited her past material live with new vigour. Just in time to open for Oasis again! (Kidding.) Meanwhile, she just put out this compilation that features one new song:

Torrance plays Sunday at 1.20 p.m. on the Lake Stage.

Bells Larsen

This Montreal singer-songwriter got a lot of press this year for all the wrong reasons: as a trans man, he cancelled his U.S. tour due to concern about dangerous new passport policies. Which was all the more tragic because he was getting some buzzy reviews from the likes of Will Hermes and others, who compared the debut album to the likes of Sufjan Stevens. Anyway, he’s here now: Sunday at 1.20 p.m. on the Island Stage.

Others to watch out for

Ruby Waters (young pop artist, as heard on Indie 88 and elsewhere); DijahSB (Toronto MC with live band); Tamar Illana & Ventanas (flamenco with Balkan and Sephardic flair); Tim Baker (Hey Rosetta! Newfoundland expat now living in Berlin); Fron Reilly (unusual instrument maker); Celeigh Cardinal (the new Jann Arden!); Maryna Krut (Ukrainian bandura player); Boreal (Canadian folk vocal trio featuring Tannis Slimmon); Drezus (Indigenous hip-hop, SNRK-adjacent); Milk & Bone (wispy electro-pop from Montreal).

All news no snooze

The Prism Prize for best Canadian music videos is being put on pause for at least this year. And in non-music news, the Giller Prize is likely toast, barring a federal bailout.

In honour of Coldplay’s Chris Martin, Toronto should rebrand Rogers Stadium (Downsview) as “Weird Stadium in the Middle of Nowhere.” See, now that would be a world-class move guaranteeing global headlines and boosting tourism, especially with FIFA arriving soon. Plus, it would look great on the back of a concert T.

The City of Toronto just unveiled a new app, the Music Compass, which tells you where to find live music or record shops in whatever neighbourhood you find yourself in. Except maybe Downsview.

The Guardian wonders what happened to the phenomenon of fluke global hits by regional European pop groups, which then led me to this weird list of “sex, Mozart and chanting monks.” To this day I do not know why possessed me to buy the “Tarzan Boy” 45 when I was a teenager, nor why that song continues to be popular.

It’s a pet peeve of mine when websites include Amazon links by default, or when music sites post playlists that assume that everyone is using Spotify. The new post-Pitchfork publication Hearing Things decided enough is enough, and did so publicly.

Meanwhile, mensch Dan Mangan is here to explain it all for you, with a new alternative tech twist I’m unfamiliar with:

danmanganmusic

A post shared by @danmanganmusic

If you’re the kind of media consumer who still gets into physical, the New York Times writes about people who still buy and rent DVDs—because no, not everything is online.

As guided psychedelic trips become more common, would you trust an AI chatbot to lead you through one? Wired investigates.

Paul Wells talks to someone who explains the now-axed Digital Services Tax. It’s really not that hard: in short, Canadian tech companies pay Canadian taxes; global tech companies operating in the cloud, like Google and Meta, do not—and they should. Otherwise Canadian companies are at an inherent competitive disadvantage. Instead, the tech giants for whom the tax would be a rounding error promised to pass on the cost to Canadian consumers. Pity the beleaguered multi-billionaires!

David Skok, editor-in-chief at The Logic (and my former boss, briefly), writes about AI’s impact on click-through searches that drive traffic for journalism. “It’s not a doom piece. I believe the technology has enormous potential. But we need to have a serious conversation about attribution, discovery and the business model that supports trusted information.”

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 more than 1.5K 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):

Habari Africa festival: Aug 8-10 at Harbourfront Centre. Details here.

Richard Lloyd (Television), Elephants and Stars, Shit From Hell (Warren Kinsella): Sept 11 at Bovine Sex Club

Morgan Wade: Sept 21 at Horseshoe Tavern

The Cribs: Sept 23 at Lee’s Palace

Mah Moud: Oct 1 at Allied Music Centre (Massey Hall)

Real Estate: Oct 4 at Concert Hall

The Cult, Death Cult: Oct 9 at Fallsview Casino. For the day-one fans.

Jeff Tweedy, Macie Stewart: Oct 10 at Concert Hall

Jens Lekman: Nov 10 at Great Hall

Robert Plant’s Saving Grace feat. Suzy Dian: Nov 10 at Massey Hall

Die Spitz: Nov 14 at Horseshoe

Hawksley Workman: Nov 15 at Danforth Music Hall

Blood Orange: Nov 20 at History (2nd show added)

Paul McCartney: Nov 21 at TD Coliseum (formerly Copps, First Ontario Place), Hamilton. He’s 83. Just saying. How’s your bucket list look? Also, how crazy is it that this and Robert Plant were announced the same week?

Chromeo: Nov 21 at Danforth Music Hall

Tonight and every night!:

The Tranzac and Drom Taberna 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 essential daily jazz listings at various venues. Check out the eclectic lineup at the micro-intimate Sellers & Newel bookstore. For the best in Toronto’s Latin and Caribbean scene, check Lula Lounge. East-enders: always something on at Castro’s or Sauce on the Danforth or jazz at Hirut.

Coming this week:

Fantastic Negrito: July 17 at Longboat Hall

Tom Morello: July 17 at Danforth Music Hall

Petite Noir, Pantayo: July 17 at Collective Brewing CANCELLED

Matt Andersen, Terra Lightfoot: July 17 at at Royal Botanical Gardens, Burlington

Pup: July 17-19 at increasingly larger Toronto venues, with different openers. July 17 is at the Concert Hall with Jeff Rosenstock (solo); July 18 is at Danforth Music Hall with Cadence Weapon; July 19 is at History with NoBro. Now THAT’s how a popular Toronto band should launch a new album! Details here. Pretty much entirely sold out.

Cola (ex-Ought), Jane Inc.: July 18 at the Garrison

Skye Wallace: July 18 at the Baby G. The eight-months-pregnant performer is threatening to go into labour on stage! Her latest video leans into that, and features a cameo from the recently departed artist/advocate Jes Sachse. Is it hot in here? I’m suddenly verrry thirsty:

Valérie Ékoumè: July 18 at Drom Taberna 11.30 p.m.

John Southworth: July 18 at Tranzac 7 p.m.

Ryan Adams: July 18 at Massey Hall. Playing Heartbreaker.

Turnstile: Never Enough: July 18 at Hot Docs 6 p.m.

Blur: Live at Wembley Stadium: July 18 at Hot Docs 8 p.m.

Beck with Toronto Symphony Orchestra, Molly Lewis: July 18-19 at Roy Thomson Hall. Wrote about the whistling opening act here.

Hillside Festival: July 18-20 at Guelph Island. Femi Kuti & Positive Force, Hurray for the Riff Raff, Lucius, Vieux Farka Touré, Etran De L'Aïr; also Abigail Lappell, Bibi Club, Boreal, Bria Salmena, Celeigh Cardinal, DijahSB, Ghostkeeper, Jon McKiel, Kelly McMichael, Lex Leosis, Los Bitchos, Ruby Waters, Son Rompe Pera, Steve Poltz, Tamar Ilana & Ventanas, Tamara Williamson, Tim Baker. Daily schedule here.

Wavelength Summer Thing feat. Beams, Zinnia, Rosina, Ethio jazz, Maracatu percussion, Dynesti: July 19 at Prairie Drive Park in Scarborough (near Victoria Park subway station). Details here.

Xanadu singalong: July 19 at Hot Docs 9 p.m. Dressing up is “highly encouraged” though the theatre didn’t mention roller skates.

Bob Log III: July 20 at Monarch Tavern

Kesha, Scissor Sisters: July 21 at Ontario Place Amphitheatre

The Swell Season: July 21 at Massey Hall

Rod Stewart, Cheap Trick: July 22 at Ontario Place Ampitheatre

Mansionair: July 22 at the Garrison

Eljuri: July 22 at Drom Taberna 5.30 p.m. Latina-led activist power rock trio. Playing on the patio!

The Offspring, Jimmy Eat World: July 23 at Ontario Place Ampitheatre

Evan Redsky, Shane Ghostkeeper: July 23 at Baby G

Our Lady Peace, Collective Soul, Wintersleep: July 24 at Ontario Place Ampitheatre

Samantha Crain: July 24 at Sound Garage. Oklahoma Indigenous indie rocker heard on Reservation Dogs soundtrack (naturally).

Hustle & Flow: July 24 at Revue Cinema 6.30 p.m.

Men I Trust: July 24-26 at History

Key summer dates

Scarborough Folk Festival: July 25-26. No, really, it’s a thing. Featuring Kobo Town, Ahmed Moneka, Kellylee Evans, Daughters of Donbas and more.

Cyndi Lauper: July 27 at Ontario Place Ampitheatre. Final leg of final tour (apparently).

Cymande: July 29 at Concert Hall.

TV on the Radio: Aug 1 at History

Electric Eclectics Festival: Aug 1-3 in Meaford. Details here.

Festival of Friends: Aug 1-3 at Gage Park, Hamilton. Details here.

Wavelength Summer Thing (downtown): Aug 9-10 at Trillium Park (Ontario Place). Details here.

CNE: Aug 15 - Sept 1. Full Bandshell lineup here.

Summerfolk: Aug 15-17 in Owen Sound. Details here.

Peterborough Folk Festival: Aug 15-17. Details here.

Elora Riverfest: Aug 15-17 in Elora. Details here.

Neil Young & Chrome Hearts: Aug 17 & 19 at Ontario Place Ampitheatre

LCD Soundsystem: Aug 22-24 at History.

Nine Inch Nails: Aug 23 at Raptors/Leafs Arena

Blue Rodeo, Allison Russell, Aysanabee: Aug 23 at Ontario Place Ampitheatre #HaveNotBeentheSame

Do Make Say Think: Aug 23 at the Concert Hall #HeartsOnFire

Sloan, Kathleen Edwards: Aug 28 at Royal Botanical Gardens, Burlington #HaveNotBeentheSame #HeartsOnFire

Dua Lipa: Sept 1-2 at Raptors/Leafs Arena

The “Who”: Sept 2, 4 at Ontario Place Ampitheatre. Farewell tour?! I was living in Toronto in 1982 and therefore won’t get fooled again.

Tedeschi Trucks Band, Govt Mule: Sept 3 at Ontario Place Ampitheatre

Bonnie “Prince” Billy: Sept 5 at Concert Hall.

Alabama Shakes, Bahamas: Sept 6 at Ontario Place Ampitheatre.

Haim: Sept 6 at Raptors/Leafs Arena

Feist, U.S. Girls, Basia Bulat: Sept 6 at Endless Summer Festival, Kitchener.

Hozier: Sept 10 at Downsview Stadium

The Pogues: Sept 10 at History

Lady Gaga: Sept 10-11, 13 at Raptors/Leafs Arena

The Waterboys: Sept 11 at Danforth Music Hall.

Wet Leg: Sept 12 at History

Propagandhi: Sept 12-13 at Concert Hall.

Supercrawl (Hamilton): Sept 12-14. Details here.

Start Making Sense: Sept 13 at 1655 Dupont. West End Phoenix fundraiser featuring all-stars covering the Talking Heads live album. Details here.

Morrissey: Sept 13 at Ontario Place Ampitheatre

James: Sept 14 at Queen Elizabeth Theatre. Playing 1993’s Laid.

Polaris Music Prize gala: Sept 16 at Massey Hall

Pulp: Sept 16 at Ontario Place Ampitheatre.

Sparks: Sept 17 at Queen Elizabeth Theatre

X (not the Grokky troll den, kids), Los Lobos: Sept 19 at Massey Hall

More Toronto concert listings until May 2026 are here and updated weekly for paid subscribers.

Here come the regulars

Every Monday: Tranzac open stage, 6.30 p.m. (Sign up at 6 p.m.)

Every Monday: Sean McCarthy’s Taproom Gang (trad jazz) at Steadfast Brewing 7 p.m.

2nd Monday of every month: Martin Loomer & His Orange Devils (big band swing) at Monarch Tavern

3rd Monday of every month: Whitney Smith BigSteam 17 (big band swing) at Monarch Tavern

Every Tuesday: Julian Fauth at Sauce on the Danforth 6.30 p.m.

Every Tuesday: swing night at Drom Taberna

1st Tuesday of every month: Nick Fraser’s Peripheral Vision at Tranzac 9.30 p.m.

1st Wednesday of every month: Holy Oak Family Singers at Tranzac 7 p.m.

3rd Wednesday of every month: Toronto Klezmer Society Epic Jam at Tranzac 9.30 p.m. Come join! Details here.

Every Thursday: Strangetooth (bluegrass) at Tranzac 7 p.m.

Every Thursday: Good Enough Karaoke (live band) at Wheat Sheaf Tavern

Every Thursday: Corin Raymond at Cameron House, 6 p.m.

1st Thursday of every month: Run with the Kittens at Cameron House 10 p.m.

2nd Thursday of every month: Jesse Greene & Jay Bleus with Terry Wilkins & Al Cross at Grossman’s 9.30 p.m.

Last Thursday of every month: Karen Ng presents at Tranzac 9.30 p.m.

Last Thursday of every month: Lori Yates at Motel (Dufferin/Queen) 9 p.m.

Last Thursday of every month: Open stage at Grossman’s 8.30 p.m. (sign up at 7 p.m.)

1st Friday of every month: Alex Samaras at Tranzac 7.30 p.m.

2nd Friday of every month: Colette Savard & the Savants at Tranzac 7.30 p.m.

Last Friday of every month: Ryan Driver Sextet at Tranzac 9.30 p.m.

Every Saturday: Neon Eagle at the Rex, 5.30 p.m.

Every Saturday: Michael Louis Johnson and the Red Rhythm at Communist’s Daughter 4 p.m.

Every Saturday: Robertson & Kerr at Cameron House 8.30 p.m.

1st Saturday of every month: John Borra at Cameron House 6 p.m.

1st Saturday of every month: Lori Yates and Soozi Schlanger at Tranzac 7:30 p.m.

1st Saturday of every month: The Lyrical Living Room feat. Wordburglar at Tranzac 10 p.m.

3rd Saturday of every month: Don Rooke & Kevin Breit at Tranzac 7.30 p.m.

1st Sunday of every month: Dave Clark (Rheostatics, Woodshed Orchestra) presents new songwriters at Tranzac, 7.30 p.m.

Last Sunday of every month: Sympathetic String Band (Isla Craig and Carl Didur) at Tranzac 7.30 p.m.

Last Sunday of every month: Friendly Rich & the Lollipop People at Cameron House 7 p.m.

Every Sunday: Eastern European Brunch at Drom Taberna 1-4 p.m.

Every Sunday: John Borra at Communist’s Daughter 5 p.m.

Every Sunday: Paul Reddick at the Rex 5.30 p.m.

Every Sunday: Doghouse Orchestra at Cameron House, 10 p.m.

Are you over 40 and/or did you grow up with freeform radio?

If so, curated Toronto concert listings from now until May 2026—are here for paid subscribers, and updated weekly.

Be kind to each other.

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