It's a weird, weird summer

Mexican Institute of Sound & Meridian Brothers + Toronto live music listings

It’s going to be a weird summer, no matter how you slice it. Might as well have a weird summer soundtrack. Move over, Bananarama.

Mexican Institute of Sound & Meridian Brothers - Ruido Tovar

(Ansonia)

Meridian Brothers make music for when it’s too hot to think, when even a glass of water is intoxicating, when your electronics are melting down, when the spiciest food can be hallucinatory.

Meridian Brothers make cumbia rhythms with chintzy synths played by a Bogota garage band who procrastinate with ancient video game consoles, then do some circuit-bending before sliding back into a groove. It’s a formula that’s been delightful for the past 20 years, a formula that never seems to get tired.

Here, founder Eblis Álvarez teams up with Mexican Institute of Sound — spotted at the Hillside Festival last year — who are kind like the Gorillaz of Mexico: a one-man groovy pop project with plenty of high-profile guests. Best known in the other 2/3 of North America for helping score the Pixar film Coco.

MIS’s Camilo Lara gives Álvarez a bit more of an even keel and steadier grooves, not to mention pulling him slightly closer to pop. “Cumbia Beckiana” likely gets its name from lifting the acoustic guitar riff from Beck’s gringo anthem “Loser” — and making a much better song. Though the American rock star is clearly in on the joke, as he guests on “Ritmo Babilonia.” But Beck is gravy; this project doesn’t need him to pull you in.

Álvarez’s absurdity is always around the corner, like on “Danzón 8bit” or the Omnichord-driven “Concorde” or the farting analog synths on “Cumbia fantasia”:

Summer is officially two weeks away! But it starts with DoWest Fest this weekend. See you at Holy Fuck on Saturday night outside the Garrison.

All news no snooze

RIP Marjane Satrapi, author of Persepolis, dead at 56. Her family said she “died of sadness,” a year after the death of her husband. It’s always the right time to share Persepolis with the teens in your life, but obviously especially this year.

HIGHLY RELEVANT to Have Not Been the Same readers: There is a movement afoot, spearheaded by Erella Ganon, to rename a Queen Street West alleyway “Handsome Ned Lane” after the legendary country singer whose weekly residency at the Cameron House helped birth Toronto’s healthy roots-rock scene, starting with Blue Rodeo. The laneway runs from Cameron Street (where Broken Social Scene made You Forgot It In People) to Denison (just past Drom Taberna). I wrote about Ned in Have Not Been the Same, which I excerpted here. You can sign the petition here.

Highly relevant to Hearts on Fire readers: What’s Régine Chassagne up to lately? Having the time of her life, it looks like.

Remember when FACTOR, the funding body that provides financial aid to various levels of the Canadian music industry, got swindled out of $9.8 million? (That’s about a quarter of the money it gets from the federal gov’t, as of 2022). A settlement has finally been reached with Scotiabank, and meanwhile the crypto bro who is the prime suspect has fucked off to Qatar. Josh O’Kane reports for the Globe.

Exclaim!’s new cover story goes deep — really deep, like 10,000 words deep — on the rise of Angine de Poitrine. Writer Marko Djurdjić gets extensive interviews with their creative team and management — but not the band (Laura Snapes likely snagged their last chat for long while). In short: none of their overnight success was planned, they’re keeping things fiercely independent, their manager spends most of his time saying “no” to all kinds of offers, and it was a rooftop performance at Pop Montreal last September that first peaked KEXP’s interest.

Can Sneaky Dee’s be resurrected after a developer’s demolition? The developer says yes. Others are skeptical at best. The Star reports.

Don’t be too surprised if, on your favourite young artist’s tour schedule, you see an unusual venue outside of the major cities: a Boston Pizza franchise. The curiously named Edmonton company is sponsoring a series of live shows this summer, reports Exclaim!.

Phil Freeman offers a healthy dose of reality to all the Miles Davis centennial brouhaha, pointing out that his (obviously deserved) critical reputation far surpassed his actual popularity back in the day; Davis mostly played tiny clubs and didn’t become a big headliner until the ’80s. Freeman also offers some counterprogramming from Davis’s contemporaries.

James Barber writes about all the ways that Apple Music actually sucks: starting with so-called “lossless,” but also “spatial audio,” terrible metadata, and awful algorithms. Maybe he’s right, I don’t know. I’m team Qobuz these days: no complaints, especially since they improved their desktop app so I can actually make playlists (which could inexplicably only be done on the phone’s app until recently).

Why did every little thing have to be so political

At first, it was funny enough that MAGA’s big idea for the United States’ 250th anniversary celebrations in Washington, D.C., should feature a lineup that could’ve been programmed 35 years ago: Young MC, C+C Music Factory, Bret Michaels of Poison, Morris Day and the Time, and… Milli Vanilli? Really? Then it got even funnier: they all started pulling out, not wanting to be associated with anything Trump, who in turn called them all “C-list artists.” You know things are bad when you’ve lost Milli Vanilli — or have you? I was shocked to learn there are competing Vanillis out there. Then again, it’s possible some MAGA staffer thought they were booking another act entirely: the only invitee who was still super psyched about the whole thing: frequent Mar-A-Lago guest Vanilla Ice.

A fact-checker at Wired tests several AI systems’ fact-checking ability. They all failed. She writes, “A March 2025 study found that more than 60% of responses from AI-powered search engines were inaccurate. A BBC study puts the wrongness of chatbots closer to 45%. Because percentages are distancing, let me put this more plainly: AI could be wrong about half the time.”

Toronto’s mayoral race looks to be a binary contest between incumbent Olivia Chow and doofus Brad Bradford — though Matt Elliott at the Star points out, those two have been agreeing more often than not lately, which takes some wind out of Bradford’s sails. Meanwhile, a potential spoiler from the further left, Chloe Brown, the third-place mayoral candidate in 2022, is instead opting for a council seat in Ford Nation territory.

On the off chance that, like me, you’re fascinated by the carbon impact of cement production — “which is responsible for roughly 7–8% of global CO2 emissions, more than aviation and maritime shipping combined” — then you’ll want to read about something definitely not rotten in Denmark.

Grace note

Headline of the week: “Robert Fripp Still Unsure Why Hospital Shaved His Balls”

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.

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)

Orkestar Kriminal: June 13 at Drom Taberna 11.30 p.m.

The Philip Glass Ensemble: June 20 at Koerner Hall (Luminato)

Radwan Ghazi Moumneh (Jerusalem in My Heart) & Frédéric D. Oberland: June 22 at Bsmt254

Cadence Weapon (full band): June 23 at Cameron House. #HeartsOnFire. Tickets here.

Big Smoke Brass: June 27 at Drom Taberna 10.30 p.m.

Slim Jim Phantom Trio and the Midnight Cowgirls: June 27 at the Horseshoe. Featuring Stray Cats’ bassist.

Dan Mangan, Joel Plaskett: July 2 at Royal Botanical Gardens, Burlington #HeartsOnFire

Molly Johnson: July 16 at El Mocambo. Album release.

Chris Acker, Creekbed Carter Hogan: July 22 at Monarch Tavern

Ron Hawkins: Sept 10 at the Rivoli #HaveNotBeentheSame

Margaret Glaspy, Anna Tivel: Sept 16 at Mod Club

Mustard Plug: Sept 23 at the Horseshoe

West End Phoenix presents Seasons in the Sun: Sept 25 at Palais Royale, featuring Dave Bidini, Ron Sexsmith, Shakura S'Aida, Tom Wilson, Lucas Silveira, Vivek Shraya, Jason Collett, Christa Couture, Tara Slone and many more, backed by Ian Goodtimes and the Sundowners. Annual fundraiser, this time celebrating the 10th anniversary. Details and tickets here.

Mastodon, Deafheaven: Sept 28 at Rebel

Kelela: Oct 7 at Danforth Music Hall

Summersets (Kalle Mattson, Andrew Sorwa): Oct 23 at Burdock Music Hall. New album out Aug 28; excellent — and economically timely — single here:

Samara Joy with the TSO: Nov 2 at Roy Thomson Hall

Dirty Dozen Brass Band: Nov 6 at Allied Music Centre (Massey Hall)

The Afghan Whigs: Nov 11 at Concert Hall

Julia Jacklin: Nov 15 at Danforth Music Hall

Gracie Abrams: Feb 18-19 at Raptors/Leafs Arena. In case your kids need to know.

Pink Martini: March 16 at Roy Thomson Hall

Tonight and ev-er-y night!:

The Tranzac, Drom Taberna, Cameron House and the Rex Hotel all have several great acts a night — just go! JazzInToronto.ca’s Instagram page has essential daily jazz listings at various venues. East-enders: always something on at Castro’s or Sauce on the Danforth or jazz at Hirut. Latin and Caribbean scene: Lula Lounge. Check out the eclectic lineup at the micro-intimate Sellers & Newel bookstore. The Whole Note lists classical events and more. Fans of experimental music, report to Earlobe. Hamiltonians need HamOntLive.

Coming this week:

Glissandro 70 (Sandro Perri, Craig Dunsmuir), Mas Aya & Khôra, Sweet Lips: June 4 at Standard Time. Presented by Tone Festival. Release show for first album in 20 years! An extremely rare sighting:

Josh Groban, Jennifer Hudson: June 4 at Raptors/Leafs Arena

Chris Smither: June 4 at Hugh’s Room

Run With the Kittens: June 4 at Cameron House 10 p.m.

Amyl & the Sniffers, L7: June 4 at Ontario Place Amphitheatre

Kevin Morby, Liam Kazar: June 5 at History

Skydiggers’ 40th anniversary: June 5 at Hugh’s Room #HaveNotBeentheSame

Tania Gill presents Agnes: June 5 at Tranzac 9.30 p.m.

Freeman Dre & The Kitchen Party: June 5 at Cameron House 8.30 p.m.

Holy Fuck, Kiwi Jr., Bonnie Trash, Ian Blurton’s Future Now, Phèdre, Lavender Town much more: June 5-7 at DoWestFest, outside the Garrison (Dundas W. between Ossington and Dovercourt). Free. Full details here.

Feist, Broken Social Scene, Alessia Cara, Paul Langlois Band: June 6 at Nathan Phillips Square. Free, fundraiser for UHN Foundation. Details here. Hot tip: set times allow it to be technically possible to see most of Feist’s set (9.15 p.m.) and most of Holy Fuck’s set at DoWest (10 p.m.). #HeartsOnFire #NeverEndingPresent

Corinne Bailey Rae: June 6 at Danforth Music Hall. Excellent Guardian profile here.

James Blake: June 6 at History

“Teenage Head”: June 6 at the Horseshoe

Joe Pernice: June 6 at Longboat Hall. Album release with Mike Belitsky, Mike Evin, Nichol Robertson and Vivienne Wilder.

Dave Clark’s Western Slang: June 6 at Noonan’s

All Things Go festival (a.k.a. Lilith 2026): June 6-7 at Ontario Place Amphitheatre. June 6 has Kesha, the Beaches and more; June 7 has Lorde, Wet Leg and more.

Betty: They Say I’m Different: June 7 at Revue Cinema, noon. Doc about the fiery ’70s R&B cult hero Betty Davis, with discussion led by Rob Bowman

Catl: June 7 at Castro’s 3 p.m.

Fiery Furnaces(!): June 7 at Hugh’s Room. Pretty sure this is their first Toronto gig in at least 15 years. Blueberry Boat forever.

Eye Eye (Bill Wood, Andy Ryan, etc.): June 7 at Tranzac, 5 p.m. Members of the ’80s pop band, though this is not billed as an Eye Eye show, so you may or may not hear “Out on a Limb.”

Dave Clark presents Analogue Sympathizer (Graham Duncan, Richard Gregory + Rob Christie): June 7 at Tranzac 7.30 p.m.

Martin Loomer & His Orange Devils (big band): June 8 at Monarch Tavern

Josh Cole: June 8 at Tranzac 9.30 p.m.

The Bleachers: June 9 at Ontario Place Amphitheatre

Brodie West: June 10 at Tranzac 7 p.m.

NXNE: June 10-14 at various venues.

United Jewish People’s Order’s 100th anniversary with Naomi Klein; Toronto Jewish Folk Choir, Geoff Berner, Rae Spoon: June 11 at Trinity St Paul’s United Church

Springtide Music Festival (Uxbridge): June 11-13, featuring Dan Mangan, Yukon Blonde, Shakura S’Aida, Natalie MacMaster, more.

Key spring dates

Pukka Orchestra: June 12 at Redwood Theatre

You Had to Be There: June 14 at Hot Docs Cinema, 8 p.m. Excellent documentary on the 1972 Toronto production of Godspell, which I’ve always thought was ground zero for the past 50 years of the intersection of cool, weird Toronto and future Hollywood royalty.

Black Country New Road, Horsegirl: June 17 at History

Prewn: June 18 at Monarch Tavern

Toronto Jazz Festival: June 19-28. Ticketed shows here. Also many free shows! Schedule here.

David Murray and Kahil El Zabar Duo: June 19-20 at Contxt by Trane

Wavelength Block Party with Ahmed Moneka, High Alpine Hut Network, Grdina/Lillinger, MMXKLS (Mark Marczyk and Kristi Lane Sinclair), more: June 20-21 in parking lot of St. Anne’s Parish. Details here.

Lambrini Girls, Big Special, Big Girl: June 20 at Concert Hall. Postponed from April 28.

More Toronto concert listings until April 2027 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.

Mondays in June (but not June 1): Meredith Moon at the Horseshoe

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

Every Tuesday: swing night at Drom Taberna

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.

Every Saturday: The Happy Pals at Grossman’s, 3.30 p.m. 56 years strong!

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.

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: Colonel Tom at Cameron House 6 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 March 2027—are here for paid subscribers, and updated weekly.

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