Cumbia and beyond

Lido Pimienta, Romperayo, Rizomagic + Toronto live music listings

I had a couple of Colombian records on deck to review this month, including Lido Pimienta’s newest, when the country was hit by both bad political news of the Trumpian type, and a terrible natural tragedy.

Lido doesn’t yet have a Toronto gig to promote her new record, but she is DJing at a show here this week by Voces del Beullerengue, a group of elderly Colombian women who sing traditional songs in a style not unlike Totó la Momposina (for all you ’90s RealWorld fans). That’s happening at Lula Lounge next Wednesday, August 19.

Lido Pimienta – Caribenya

(Anti-)

Though it comes merely 12 months after Lido Pimienta’s last record — unusually quick for a cross-disciplinary artist who takes her time with intention and collaboration — Caribenya is the proper follow-up to her international breakthrough Miss Colombia. Here, Pimienta pulls herself increasingly toward the mainstream: or is it the other way around? Nelly Furtado shows up here as the obvious marquee name: she’s been a friend and admirer for years now, and invited Pimienta to perform at her Junos tribute this year.

Pimienta says she chose the title of this record because she wanted to imagine what kind of record Enya would make if she had Caribbean and South American collaborators. It’s a bit of a name-dropping stretch, though it’s also not too off the mark of what happens here: Pimienta’s vocals have mellowed with age, and she conjures some lush harmonies here, while the modern grooves draw from Puerto Rican, Mexican, Venezuelan, Argentinian and Colombian producers.

Last year’s orchestral La Belleza was years in the making, spawning from a project commissioned by the New York City Ballet and assisted by Owen Pallett — and then unfortunately released shortly before Rosaliá unexpectedly sucked all that air out of the room with a somewhat similar record. Caribenya was initially conceived “as a B-side” to La Belleza; both albums are about half an hour long, but combining them would probably just confuse audiences.

On its own, Caribenya puts Pimienta back in a much more accessible — and competitive — sphere, but she more than stakes her own claim.

Chancha Via Circuito – Oro en Tí

(Wonderwheel)

This Argentinian producer is one of several contributors to Caribenya, and is known for helping pioneer a digital cumbia scene in the last 20 years. There’s not a lot of what sounds like cumbia here, though: opening track “Renacimiento” has more of a reggae lilt with flutes and sitar — make of that what you will, but it’s lovely. “Virgen de lo alto” — and the rest of the record — features vocalist Sofía Viola, who sounds like Lisa Gerrard settled into an Andean village.

Romperayo – En Bloque en Mambo Negro

(Discos Elgozo)

This is the most fun record of the four reviewed this week. The Colombian band bounces around a lot: cumbia, NY salsa, Mexican music, Jamaican dub, some Meridian Brothers madness, and the particularly Panamanian gumbo that was collected by Soundway Records a few years back. There are full horn and percussion sections captured in a raw and live sound, but the real appeal for me personally here is that there is SO MUCH ACCORDION. Which of course means it’s awesome.

Can someone please bring this band to Canada?

Rizomagic – Cumbión Planetario

(Soundway)

This is very different Colombian music, which sounds more Berlin than Bogota. It was actually made at an artists centre on the Swiss shores of Lake Geneva, and as a result sounds very much between worlds. The duo call it “tropical futurism,” and one track isn’t called “Cumbia de la entropia” for nothing. Though there’s no mistaking its musical origin, this is space-y, dubbed out, and definitely digital in nature, not to mention discombobulating and downright heavy at times (“Kir”).

Can someone please book this band for Montreal’s Mutek Festival? They do have a Canadian booker…

Minyo Crusaders – From Japan With Love

(Universal)

Wait, you ask yourself, I thought this week’s column was about Colombian music? Well, yes, and this Tokyo band has a mission statement to meld traditional Japanese folk songs (min’yō) to Afro-Caribbean beats. They’ve made many international connections, including Colombian band Frente Cumbiero (reviewed earlier this year).

Is it strange? Yes. Does it work? Yes. Witness:

All news no snooze

Next Friday, August 21 at the Baby G there’s a fundraiser for the people of northern Ontario’s Collins First Nation, whose region was completely destroyed by wildfires this summer. Lineup features José Contreras, NQ Arbuckle, John Borra, Angie Hilts, Sarah Greene and more. All money raised will go to Anishinabek Nation 7th Generation Charities. Details here. Meanwhile in B.C., one beloved music venue in Summerland was destroyed by fire, reports the Globe.

The new Second Summer festival, which runs from Sept 24-26, now has its full schedule posted here. ZamRock legends W.I.T.C.H. (reviewed here) with B.C.’s highly underrated Art d’Ecco (reviewed here) is an amazing double bill at Lee’s on Sept 26.

Josh O’Kane at the Globe talks to Michael Rancic about his new book about the history of Canadian electronic music, A Nation of Tinkerers, which is out now on Invisible Press.

Liz Worth talks to Rollie Pemberton about his new book, Ways of Listening.

Is hardcore punk a cult? There’s certainly a lot of rules and orthodoxy, writes elder punk Joseph Sulier: “All this time we were calling ourselves leftists, progressives, radicals, anarchists, when the reality is that we were gradually narrowing the parameters, tightening the yoke, dulling our critical thought processes and removing all of the color from our lives in favor of a drab grey turned black and white.” At the very least, he writes, it’s a youth genre and lifestyle something that no one over 30 has any business policing.

Phil Freeman on the “Twilight of the [Gen X] Edgelords,” and why “people under 50 have no idea what ‘the underground’ was like in the 1980s and even the 1990s. The amount of misogyny, homophobia, and racism that passed under the aegis of ‘fearless investigation of humanity’s dark side’ would, in 2026, send most people screaming out of the room.” Speaking of loathsome edgelords who paved the way for modern nihilism, the entirely complicit Pirate Wires has a first-hand account of the coke-fuelled madness that was the Vice empire of the 2000s and 2010s.

Hearts on Fire readers: Proud Albertan Corb Lund continues to get stiffed by the Alberta government over his anti-coal petition.

Have Not Been the Same readers: Daniel Lanois visits Amoeba Records, and believes he might have a lot in common with… Biggie Smalls?!

Why did every little thing have to be so political

Remember in 2018 when Doug Ford came to power by promising Ontarians lower electricity bills? He then immediately spent $231 million to cancel a bunch of green energy projects — the kind that might have meant we could have free electricity by now, like the UK and Australia do.

Paul Wells on the myth of Canadian peacekeeping, then and especially now.

No retreat, baby, no surrender: Jen Gerson on why this is not the time for Canada to cave.

Grace note

TNIT supporter Alice Kent, whose day job as a realtor helps humans buy and sell homes, found herself at the centre of a media storm when she found a coyote taking up tenancy in her Christie Pits bedroom.

TNIT supporter Mark Mattson of Swim Drink Fish, a Never-Ending Present character who launched the Gord Downie Pier in Kingston, writes about the gloriousness of August swimming. He’s also running to be a councillor on his beloved Wolfe Island.

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)

Völur, Charles Spearin & the Local Singers with Fleshtone Aura, A Horse Named Friday: Aug 27 in the ruins of St. Anne’s Church. Presented by Wavelength

Hayden: Sept 16, 23, 30 at the Revue Cinema #HaveNotBeentheSame

Adrian Younge, Charlie Houston: Sept 24 at the Horseshoe. Part of Second Summer festival.

Folk Bitch Trio, Rachel Bobbitt, Bells Larsen: Sept 24 at the Garrison. Part of Second Summer festival.

Elephant Stone: Sept 24 at Collective Arts Brewing. Part of Second Summer festival.

Piss, Shishi: Sept 25 at Lee’s Palace. Part of Second Summer festival.

Art d’Ecco: Sept 25 at Baby G. Part of Second Summer festival.

W.I.T.C.H., Art d’Ecco: Sept 26 at Lee’s Palace. Part of Second Summer festival.

Twin Shadow, Motorists: Sept 26 at the Garrison. Part of Second Summer festival.

Ribbon Skirt, Status/Non-Status, Shishi: Sept 26 at the Monarch. Part of Second Summer festival.

B.A. Johnston: Sept 26 at Bovine Sex Club. Part of Second Summer festival.

Miesha and the Spanks: Sept 26 at Collective Arts Brewing. Part of Second Summer festival.

Omar Souleyman: Oct 5 at the Concert Hall

Steve Lacy: Oct 5 at CNE Coliseum

Kiwi Jr., Triples: Oct 9 at Longboat Hall

Spencer Burton: Oct 16 at the Burdock

FM: Nov 27 at Redwood Theatre, performing 1978’s Black Noise. Cameron Hawkins is the only original member, but he’s got some ringers: Hugh Marsh, Kevin Breit, Paul Marangoni. Details here.

The Mary Wallopers: March 12 at History

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:

Artie Roth Quartet: Aug 13 at the Rex. Album release.

Cut Flowers, Long Branch: Aug 13 at Bsmt254. Vinyl release for Cut Flowers, featuring ex-King Cobb Steelie members; Long Branch has members of Shadowy Men and Venus Cures All.

Roni Size, Raf Reza: Aug 13 at Standard Time (Geary)

Piltch Brothers (Rob & David): Aug 13 at Hirut

Daughters of Donbas: Aug 13 at Harbourfront Centre, 7 p.m.

Peterborough Folk Festival: Aug 13-16. Featuring Bahamas, Shad, Begonia, Georgia Harmer, Kelly McMichael, Slow Leaves, Burs, more. It’s free! And a great outdoor venue. Details here.

Shuffle Demons, Chris Bottomley’s Brainfudge: Aug 14 at Drom Taberna 7 p.m.

Alexisonfire, Underoath: Aug 14-15 at Ontario Place Amphitheatre. Performing Crisis for its 20th anniversary. #HeartsOnFire

Bonnie Raitt: Aug 15 at Massey Hall

Diane Roblin’s Lifeforce: Aug 15 at the Rex 2 p.m.

Chance the Rapper: Aug 16 at History

Antidiva: The Carole Pope Confessions: Aug 16 at Hot Docs Cinema 7 p.m.

Rhett Miller (Old 97s), Country Flash: Aug 16 at the Horseshoe

Dean Johnson, Georgia Harmer: Aug 16 at Drake Underground

Bob Fosse’s Sweet Charity: Aug 16 at Revue Cinema 4 p.m.

Wavelength Summer Thing with Shad, Bells Larsen, Janette King, Absolute Treat, Tauro, CJ Wiley, Sister Ray, Eliza Niemi, Maracatu Mar Aberto, more: Aug 16 at Trillium Park (Ontario Place). Free!

John Fogerty: Aug 17 at Great Canadian Casino

Eagles of Death Metal: Aug 18 at Danforth Music Hall

Cut Flowers: Aug 18 at Bell & Beacon

Deep Purple, Kansas, Jefferson Starship: Aug 18 at Ontario Place Amphitheatre

Toronto Klezmer Society Epic Jam: Aug 19 at Tranzac 9.30 p.m. Come join! Sheet music and more info here.

Honey Jam: Aug 20 at Allied Music Centre (Massey Hall). 31st annual new talent showcase.

Key summer dates

Summerfolk (Owen Sound): Aug 21-23. Featuring Dan Mangan, Jane Siberry, Tom Wilson, Empanadas Illegales, Julian Taylor, Good Lovelies, more. Details here.

Toronto Folk Festival: Aug 21-23 on Ward’s Island. Featuring Abigail Lapell, Ahmed Moneka, Bobby Dove, Burs, Kobo Town, Meredith Moon, Mia Kelly, Divka, Jadea Kelly, more.

Blue Rodeo, William Prince, Billiane: Aug 29 at Ontario Place Amphitheatre #HaveNotBeentheSame

Iron Maiden, Megadeth: Aug 29-30 at Raptors/Leafs Arena. 50th anniversary tour.

Ashkenaz Festival: Aug 30–Sept 6. Featuring the Klezmatics, Dobranotch, Queen Kong, Jaffa Road, Kallisto, Ventanas, Michael Winograd, more. Details here.

Wu-Tang Clan, Bone Thugs-N-Harmony: Sept 8 at Ontario Place Amphitheatre. “Farewell” tour.

Kim Gordon, Voyeur: Sept 11 at Opera House

Great Outdoors Comedy Festival: Sept 11-13 at Erindale Park, Mississauga. Featuring John Mulaney, Mike Birbiglia, Fred Armisen, Nick Kroll, Hasan Minhaj, Ronny Chieng, more. Details here.

Supercrawl: Sept 11-13 in downtown Hamilton, featuring Population II, Aysanabee, Mariel Buckley, Grapes of Wrath, William Prince, Reuben & Bullhorn Singers, Gizmo, Golden Feather, Chore, more.

Guelph Jazz Festival: Sept 11-13. Featuring Francois Houle, Gord Grdina, Gerry Hemingway, Joëlle Léandre, Myra Melford, more.

Turnstile, Saya Gray, Yves Tumour: Sept 12 at Woodbine Park

Erykah Badu, the Alchemist, De La Soul: Sept 13 at Ontario Place Amphitheatre

Robyn, Grace Ives: Sept 15 at Raptors/Leafs Arena

Tinariwen: Sept 17 at Concert Hall

Altin Gün, Alex Maas: Sept 18 at Danforth Music Hall

More Toronto concert listings until May 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.

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 May 2027—are here for paid subscribers, and updated weekly.

Be kind to each other.

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