The heat is on
Budos Band, Empanadas Ilegales, Pachyman + Toronto live music listings
Holy crap, it’s (finally) hot. But nice to see NYC Did The Right Thing. That’s the truth, Ruth.
It’s the time of the year when white men from cold countries (hello!) are predisposed to listen to hot music from warmer climes. Like, say, Kinshasa or Puerto Rico or South America (via Vancouver) or… Staten Island?
Here’s your long weekend BBQ soundtrack right here:
Budos Band – VII
(Diamond West)
This American instrumental funk band, spawn of the Daptone empire, makes music brewed from 10 different types of awesome sauce, tailor-made for increasing your swagger as you stroll the melting sidewalks of urban streets, soundtracking whatever major adventure or minor errand you might be embarking on, imbuing them with heightened drama and sex appeal. What’s that? You just stepped out to buy a bit of fruit? No matter, plug this in on your way there and you’ll feel like John MF’n Shaft.
This is Budos’s seventh album and I can’t tell any difference between any of them (see also: their album titles)—but that’s by no means a slight. They keep talking about how doom metal is somehow part of the mix, but I don’t buy it for a second, unless early Funkadelic is somehow a doom band, and Budos is not that loose: they play as tightly as the Bar-Kays. The Budos brass section is punchier than Ali/Foreman, while the rhythm is all but guaranteed to get the pheromones flowin’. Turn it UP.
The Budos Band play the Danforth Music Hall Friday, June 27, with Secret Chiefs (featuring Mr. Bungle’s Trey Spruance), as part of the Toronto Jazz Festival.
Empanadas Ilegales – Sancocho Trifásico
(We Are Time)
If the term “psychedelic cumbia” means anything to you, this Vancouver outfit is your new favourite band. And before you ask, call off the culture police: this band has three South Americans in it, and the others have Latino roots.
Roughly speaking, this is ’Couver cumbia that combines Colombian music with reggae rhythms, surf guitar and lounge-y vibes. In other words, perfect summer music. Empanadas Ilegales formed eight years ago, became a popular Vancouver live act, and then got waylaid by the pandemic, releasing their first album in 2021. This new one is more realized than anything they’ve done to date, and hopefully keeps them on the road for more eastern swings.
Empanada Illegales play Drom Taberna on July 5/6 at 2.30 a.m., and at Trillium Park (Ontario Place) on July 12 as part of the Mixto festival. They’re also at Sunfest in London on July 3.
Pairs well with Los Pirañas, which is a more wacked-out version of what’s happening here; I reviewed the new record by that Meridian Brothers side project back in March.
Pachyman – Another Place
(ATO)
I was hesitant to listen to this Puerto Rican artist because I grew up with many South Asians and the name sounds… questionable. (It’s not; you pronounce the “ch.”) It’s actually his first name, Pachy García. He was a punk and metal kid in Puerto Rico who moved to L.A. in 2012 and discovered dub reggae—why there, why then, no idea. Maybe he found back issues of Grand Royal lying around?
Apparently there are Mexican and kosmische influences here: whatever. This is just a solid dub record rooted in vintage gear, with García playing everything himself, although he takes a live band on the road.
All of which is to say: nice to hear a new dub record that sounds like this, at a time like this, when the world needs to chill.
Pachyman is playing Toronto on October 15 at Longboat Hall.
Kin’Gongolo Kiniata – Kiniata
(Helico)
Apparently this amazing Congolese band—whose new album was picked by the Guardian as one of 2025’s top albums so far—played London, Ontario, last year as part of Sunfest:
Kinshasa might be the most exciting musical hub in Africa right now, and this propulsive new act certainly contributes to that. I’ve raved in this space before about Fulu Miziki, and about the somewhat similar South African band B.C.U.C. (who was the best thing at Hillside last summer), so if you’re on that wavelength, or if you have fond memories of Konono No. 1 blowing minds at Harbourfront in 2006, then this band is for you.
And I only just realized that Fulu Miziki is coming this year’s fest, July 3-6, and to Toronto at Drom on July 11. Miss them at your peril.
All news no snooze
It’s festival season! But wait, what the actual French fuck is this horrifying shit?!?!
Jeremy Dutcher takes the Narwhal’s Moose Questionnaire.
Hearts on Fire readers: Exclaim! ran a very good interview with Wolf Parade’s Spencer Krug while they were doing the anniversary tour in March, for their debut album; I somehow missed this until now.
Hearts on Fire readers: colleague
reposts his 2014 Eye Weekly story on the Constantines reunion, featuring testimonials from all your favourite artists:
Breaking news: U2’s The Edge is now Irish. Believe it or not, he wasn’t before now.
Apparently Gen Z is hot for BlackBerry? Not the movie or the stock, which is actually on the rise these days (up 90% over last year) due to their cybersecurity pivot, but the actual physical phones. To which I say: bring it on. I only retired one of these two babies this month, due to 5G bullshit, and yes, I’m angry about it (sorry, friends, that’s why I rarely text anymore):
Finally, Alexis Petridis at the Guardian remembers his one and only encounter with Sly Stone, which features this all-timer of a closing quote at the end of a 20-minute interview:
“Have I talked to you enough now? I’ve got to go to the bathroom. You asked me about regrets,” he said, with a wheezy laugh. “If I don’t take a big shit now, I’ll regret that.”
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):
Fulu Miziki: July 11 at Drom Taberna 11.30 p.m. HOLY SHIT DO NOT MISS THIS CONGOLESE BAND.
Erykah Badu: Aug 15 at History
Stars, Chantal Kreviazuk: Aug 17 at CNE Bandshell #HeartsOnFire
Lou Barlow: Aug 18 at Sound Garage
Trans-Canada Highwaymen: Aug 20 at CNE Bandshell
Luciano, Jay Douglas: Aug 21 at CNE Bandshell
The Commodores, Jully Black: Aug 24 at CNE Bandshell
The Dirty Nil: Aug 27 at CNE Bandshell
Rural Alberta Advantage: Aug 28 at CNE Bandshell
John Fogerty: Aug 30 at Fallsview Casino. There is, in fact, a bad moon rising. Still.
Feist, U.S. Girls, Basia Bulat: Sept 6 at Endless Summer Festival, Kitchener. Now that’s a doozy of a triple-bill worth a drive.
Supercrawl (Hamilton): Sept 12-14 featuring Godspeed You! Black Emperor, TOBi, Basia Bulat, Born Ruffians, Donovan Woods, Cadence Weapon, Classified, Neil Haverty, Thunder Queens, Menno Versteeg, many more. Details here.
Ada Lea: Sept 21 at the Garrison. Montreal singer-songwriter’s new album is out August 8
Ducks Ltd: Sept 25 at Lee’s Palace
Project Nowhere festival: Oct 2-4 at various venues on Dundas St. W., featuring Ribbon Skirt, Bonnie Trash, No Joy, Truck Violence, Freak Heat Waves, TEKE::TEKE, Scott Hardware, Noble Rot, Lee Paradise, the Armed, Warmduscher, Water From Your Eyes, Desire, Johnny Jewel, the Mystery Lights and more. Schedule TBA, details here.
All Things Go Festival: Oct 3-4 at Ontario Place Ampitheatre featuring Kacey Musgraves, Renée Rapp, Remi Wolf, Ravyn Lenae, Charlotte Cardin, more. Is this what Lilith Fair 2025 would look like? Although there are some men on the bill, much further down.
Queens of the Stone Age: Oct 5 at Massey Hall
Geese: Oct 11 at Opera House
Model/Actriz: Oct 14 at Lee’s Palace
Little Simz: Oct 27 at History
Boris: Nov 7 at Phoenix
The Beths, Phoebe Rings: Nov 27 at Danforth Music Hall (second show added)
The Lemonheads: Nov 30 at the Phoenix
Good Lovelies: Dec 17 at Massey 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:
Kneebody: June 26 at the Rex
Peach Pit, Briston Maroney: June 26 at Ontario Place Ampitheatre
Bill Frisell / Rudy Royston / Thomas Morgan: June 26 at Hugh’s Room. Sold out.
Bonnie Trash: June 26 at the Garrison
The Mahones: June 26 at the Horseshoe
James Taylor: June 27 at Ontario Place Ampitheatre
Lavender Town: June 27 at OLG Stage, Toronto Jazz Festival 8.30 p.m.
Budos Band, Secret Chiefs 3: June 27 at Danforth Music Hall. See above.
Rev. Horton Heat, Nathan & the Zydeco Cha-Chas: June 27-28 at Horseshoe
Loving: June 28 at Longboat Hall
Ghost Note: June 28 at Rex Hotel
Nashville: June 28 at Fox Theatre 3 p.m. 50th anniversary of Robert Altman’s greatest film, featuring this moment that I’ve had on my mind a lot in the last nine years:
Heavyweights Brass Band: June 28 at OLG Stage, Toronto Jazz Festival 8.30 p.m.
Jeff Goldblum & Mildred Snitzer Orchestra: June 28 at Massey Hall
Mount Eerie: June 28 at Great Hall (matinee)
Long Time Running: June 28 at Hot Docs 6.15 p.m. I don’t have to tell you that this essential document looks and sounds great on a big screen. #NeverEndingPresent
Spoons, Goddo, Jay Douglas, Northern Pikes: June 28 - July 1 at It’s Your Festival, Gage Park, Hamilton
Shabason & Krgovich, Karen Ng, Arma Agharta, Sparkling Water: June 29 at Carlton Park (north of Dupont and Edwin), 4 p.m. Very chill picnic vibes, kid-friendly.
Wolf Eyes: June 29 at Baby G
Thanya Iyer: June 29 at OLG Stage, Toronto Jazz Festival 6.30 p.m.
The Cat Empire: June 30 at Danforth Music Hall
Honey Jam: June 30 at Axis the Mod Club. Launch party for the 30th anniversary of the landmark showcase for upcoming local female R&B artists.
Devo: June 30 at History
Strange Brew: July 1 at Revue Cinema 4.30 p.m.
B.J. Snowden: July 1 at Eyesore Video. Would make a great double bill with Strange Brew earlier in the day. TNIT reader Don Pyle wrote to tell me this story: “When Shadowy Men worked with [B-52s] Fred Schneider, we picked him up at the airport and as soon as we got in the van, he said, ‘Before we go any further, I have to play you something to describe how I feel.’ He put [B.J. Snowden’s] ‘In Canada’ in the cassette player and we sat speechless, listening as we drove away from the airport! My introduction!”
George Thorogood and the Destroyers: July 2 at Massey Hall
Shaggy: July 2 at History. No Sting.
Allison Russell: July 2 at Royal Botanical Gardens, Burlington
OMD: July 3 at History (postponed from Oct 8). Wrote about their most recent record here.
Queen Kong: July 3 at Linsmore Tavern
Dazed and Confused: July 3 at Corktown Common, presented by Toronto Outdoor Picture Show
Klô Pelgag: July 3 at Allied Music Centre (Massey Hall)
Les Hay Babies: July 3 at Horseshoe Tavern
Rock Plaza Central: July 3 at Baby G. Rare reunion for this Toronto folk-rock breakout of the late 2000s. Can’t believe it’s not at the Tranzac! Warm-up gig before their Mariposa slot that weekend.
Key summer dates
Mariposa Festival: July 4-6 at Tudhope Park, Orillia. Details here.
Afrofest: July 4-6 at Woodbine Park. Details here.
“Weird Al” Yankovic, Puddles Pity Party: July 9 at Ontario Place Ampitheatre
Four Winds MusicFest: July 11-13 in Durham, Ontario. Details here.
Pup: July 14-19 at increasingly larger Toronto venues, with different openers. Details here.
Wu-Tang Clan, Run the Jewels: July 14 at Raptors/Leafs Arena.
Beck with Toronto Symphony Orchestra, Molly Lewis: July 18-19 at Roy Thomson Hall.
Hillside Festival: July 18-20 at Guelph Island. Daily schedule here.
Wavelength Summer Thing: July 19 at Prairie Drive Park in Scarborough (near Victoria Park subway station). Details here.
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
Summerfolk: Aug 15-17 in Owen Sound
Elora Riverfest: Aug 15-17 in Elora
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
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.
If you value this work, please consider a paid subscription (monthly or annually), or drop something in the tip jar.