What's going ahn
Big Star, Ace of Wands, Geordie Gordon + Toronto live music listings
For the last three years, in the second week of May, veteran Toronto promoter Elliott Lefko takes a break from booking the likes of Nick Cave and Kraftwerk to pay tribute to his late friend Dave Bookman, by co-curating — with singer-songwriter Stephen Stanley — a night of Bookman’s favourite music.
In 2024, they assembled a night of Replacements covers by an intergenerational cast of Toronto musicians; in 2025, it was the Tragically Hip and Gord Downie. Both were truly incredible and inspiring nights, with some unforgettable performances. I wrote about the Hip night here. I’m still buzzing from it, a year later.
This year, it’s the music of Big Star / Alex Chilton / Chris Bell: this Saturday, May 9 at the Garrison. Admission is a canned food item (or several), for the Daily Bread Food Bank. You should go. Details here.
The lineup includes, but is not limited to: Charlotte Cornfield, Kiwi Jr., the Rural Alberta Advantage, Gentleman Reg, Shakura S’Aida, Wax Mannequin, José Contreras, Kevan Byrne (Cut Flowers, King Cobb Steelie), John Borra, Katie Cruel, Craig Daniels (Imploders), Tauro (feat. Brendan Canning), Zinnia, and even the reclusive John Critchley (13 Engines). The killer house band features Ian Blurton, Anna Ruddick and Jud Ruhl.
Two acts playing this year’s event have excellent new albums out this month. Geordie Gordon will not only lead a song at the Big Star show, but play keyboards for several others. Lee Rose and Jody Brumell, two-thirds of Ace of Wands, have been a part of this event every year: Brumell as the powerhouse drummer in the house band, and Rose as a show-stealing rock star.
Geordie Gordon – River Round
(Victory Pool)
Geordie Gordon was usually the youngest person in any room he was in; he started touring Ontario at age 15. But that was a long time ago now: after years touring as a member of U.S. Girls, Islands, Weather Station and others, he’s now in a particularly reflective mood.
Especially after losing close friend Richard Laviolette in 2023: there are at least two songs here about time spent with the late singer-songwriter. “Richard’s Song,” obviously, which includes a line about “gathering around the accordion,” making it dear to my heart. But also the Sufjan-esque “River House,” about a storied Guelph residence that has been central to generations of musicians — including Gordon’s father, who took early press photos there for his band Tamarack.
This is his third solo album, and Gordon gets better and better as a songwriter and arranger in his own right, particularly on the romantic “Endless Line” and “Held Me Up.” Aching pedal steel on “Never Goes Away” is complemented by a full horn section. Carlyn Bezic of Jane Inc. adds perfect harmony on “On My Way” and this track:
I interviewed Gordon, who I’ve known since he was a teen, for this piece about his 2023 album Tambourine, the one with the song about seeing the Hidden Cameras for the first time.
Geordie Gordon plays May 22 at Silence in Guelph, with Bird City, and May 27 at the Burdock in Toronto, with José Contreras.
And Hidden Cameras, the subject of Gordon’s “Tambourine,” play Longboat Hall on May 21.
Ace of Wands – Future Wave
(Be My Sibling)
This is a monster of a record.
For all the BS discourse online about “Mom, what were you like in the ’90s? — which apparently stems from a shitty movie ballad that’s suddenly popular again — what the nostalgia cycle seems to forget is that 95% of ’90s guitar rock was truly terrible and ugly.
Except when it wasn’t: Toronto trio Ace of Wands — the members of which I’m going to guess were born around 1990 — manage to resuscitate the few good memories I have of heavy rock music at that time.
It helps, for me, that Ian Blurton of Change of Heart is in the producer’s chair; Ace of Wands is similarly dextrous, with prog leanings and strong melodies, not to mention some serious crunch.
Of course, this decade-old power trio is their own thing entirely: a new generation, a bit of psychedelic dream pop in the mix, and fronted by two women, one of whom doubles on violin. (“Burn Upon It” is arranged entirely for a string section.) What would happen if Owen Pallett fronted PJ Harvey’s original trio? If, uh, Tracy Bonham covered Kate Bush’s Ninth Wave? Ace of Wands is here to find out.
Future Wave opens with a waltzing power ballad of sorts, “Black River” — which could be a curious choice, but it’s one of the most beautiful tracks here. Along with “Oleanders,” the second-best song about that plant, after Sarah Harmer’s.
The title track, “Magical Mind,” and “Edge of the Edge” are relatively straight-ahead rockers and gateway drugs, because this band doesn’t usually play it straight. In fact, they often veer off a 4/4 course, writing in 12 (“Black River”), six (“Violator”) or five (“Uncanny”):
I’ll admit, I’d heard Ace of Wands before this and — let’s just say this record is a huge step up (even if the last record was also helmed by Blurton). Maybe they changed, or maybe I changed, but here we are. There was never any denying their indivudual talents as players —they’re killer, each one — but to these ears it sounds like something really clicked on Future Wave: the songs, the arrangements, the energy.
Some bands burst out of the gate, others get better with age; Ace of Wands appear to be the latter. Future Wave itself gets better with every listen. At this rate it will be one of my faves of the year.
Em Moore at Punk News interviewed Lee Rose about the album.
Ace of Wands plays the Sound Garage on May 22 with Skye Wallace, and has other Ontario dates this month.
All news no snooze
Hearts on Fire clickbait: Heated Rivalry creator Jacob Tierney tells Sub Pop all the reasons he loves Wolf Parade’s debut album:
I knew I would love Mile End Kicks, but I was very curious about the reaction from younger generations and people who have never lived in Montreal. Thankfully, Grace Robins-Somerville at Our Band Could Be Your Wife, a twentysomething Pitchfork writer in the U.S., filed this excellent essay about the film’s scene politics, sexual politics, and a critic’s strange need to indulge in “fanthropology.” A must-read:
Hearts on Fire readers (and Mile End Kicks viewers): Nick Thorburn of Islands has a new project with Mike Stroud of Ratatat, called the Creem, with an album out June 5.
Never-Ending Present readers: Based on producer Mark Howard’s IG, it looks like Johnny Fay is making a record at Kingsway Studio in New Orleans, where the Hip made Road Apples and Day For Night, the latter with Howard. Meanwhile, you can enjoy some Tragically Chip ice cream from Kawartha Dairy this summer — made, of course, in Bobcaygeon.
Ashley MacIsaac is suing Google, as he abso-fucking-lutely should — after Google’s Gemini AI falsely claimed he was a sex offender, which led to at least one gig cancellation. (Mike Patton had a similarly disgusting problem.) Recall, if you will, that the Chromebook your child’s been provided with by their school urges them to use Gemini in their work.
The Canadian Press talks to touring Canadian musicians grappling with the price of gas. And Los Campesinos, a band who sells out 900-cap rooms across North America, offer their tour receipts to show how unsustainable the entire enterprise is in 2026. Even if they didn’t bring two of their small kids and a nanny, they’d still barely break even, if at all.
One band likely unaffected by increased touring costs is Rush, who talk to Hank Shteamer at the New York Times, over dinner at Barberian’s.
Film critic Brooke Obie writes scathingly about the cognitive disconnect in the Michael Jackson movie, but with a paragraph that could apply to an entirely different subject I covered last week:
Because people can be incredibly gifted and abuse people. They can make music that touches our hearts and dance like the spirit of God is running through them, and abuse people. They can be the biggest pop star in the world and abuse people. They can have an incredible way about them that makes you feel seen and understood, and abuse people. They can be sweet and fun and loving and abuse people. They can bring joy to the entire world for decades and abuse people. They can be abused themselves and still abuse people.
Real people aren’t ever just one thing.
Grace note
The one and only Star Wars piece I clicked on this May 4 was this one, a contrarian take that justifably lauds Solo as a top-3 film in the franchise. I knew I wasn’t alone! It’s a totally fun movie, unlike the suffocating ponderousness that plagues the other spinoffs.
Hey kids, if you ever wonder what made MuchMusic different than MTV right from the get-go, take a gander at this clip from its first year on the air. Just another day at the office:
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)
Poison Girlfriend, Ouri: May 17 at Lee’s Palace
Shuffle Demons, Donné Roberts: May 17 at Drom Taberna
Big Smoke Brass: May 30 at Drom Taberna
Sloan garage sale: May 30 at annual location, in an alley west of Dufferin Grove. You’ll see the signs — and the lineup. #HaveNotBeentheSame
Madfolk: June 12 at Monarch Tavern. Album release.
Black Joe Lewis & the Honeybears: July 16 at Longboat Hall
L’Éclair: July 17 at Lee’s Palace. Bulgarian/Swiss psych jam band.
Zoh Amba: Aug 7 at Sound Garage
Lupe Fiasco: Aug 21 at CNE Bandshell
Lights: Aug 22 at CNE Bandshell
Pomplamousse: Aug 22 at the Concert Hall. Had no idea this was still a thing.
Shaggy: Aug 23 at CNE Bandshell
The Trews: Aug 27 at CNE Bandshell
Squeeze, Adam Ant, Haircut 100: Aug 31 at Ontario Place Amphitheatre. I heard great things about their last Massey Hall show, but this choice of venue seems… large?
Silverstein: Sept 3 at CNE Bandshell
Tom Cochrane: Sept 5 at CNE Bandshell
Sun Kil Moon: Sept 8 at Lee’s Palace. A show in Halifax was cancelled this week due to community concern.
Mother Mother, Beach Bunny, Boy Golden: Sept 11 at York U Stadium
Kathleen Edwards: Sept 18 at Massey Hall #HeartsOnFire
Spencer Krug: Sept 22 at St. Anne’s Parish (Wavelength) #HeartsOnFire
Interpol, Diiv: Oct 2 at York U Stadium
Olivia Rodrigo, Wolf Alice: Oct 26-27 at Raptors/Leafs Arena
Geese (not Goose): Nov 4 at History (second show added)
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:
Don Byron and NOJO: May 7-9 at Rex Hotel
Pick a Piper: May 7 at Rhythm (141 Bathurst). Album release for long-running project from Caribou drummer Brad Weber.
The Cribs: May 7 at Lee’s Palace. Rescheduled date.
Katie Tupper: May 7 at Mod Club
Run with the Kittens: May 7 at the Cameron 10 p.m.
Colette Savard: May 7 at Tranzac 7 p.m.
Colin Fisher’s Musica Universalis with Karen Ng, Mark Hundevad: May 7 at Tranzac 9.30 pm
Brad Mehldau with Kirill Gerstein: May 8 at Koerner Hall
The Black Keys: May 8 at Fallsview Casino
Open Mike Eagle, Cadence Weapon: May 8 at Sound Garage. Sold out.
Lex Leosis: May 8 at Division 88 (Geary/Dufferin). Reviewed here.
Fran Lebowitz: May 8 at Roy Thomson Hall
Nash the Slash Rises Again: May 9 at Hot Docs 4 p.m.
Lowest of the Low: May 8-9 at Danforth Music Hall. Playing all of Shakespeare My Butt for its 35th anniversary. The 9th is sold out. #HaveNotBeentheSame
Elliott Lefko presents I’m in Love With That Song: Tribute to Alex Chilton and Big Star: May 9 at the Garrison. Annual celebration of Dave Bookman’s favourite music (past years featured music of the Replacements and Tragically Hip), with a house band led by Ian Blurton and guests including Charlotte Cornfield, Kiwi Jr., Rural Alberta Advantage, Shakura S’Aida, Lee Rose, Gentleman Reg, Geordie Gordon, Craig Daniels, Kevan Byrne & Rebecca Campbell, many more.
EMF: May 9 at Dance Cave (Lee’s). Yes, this news is, uh, unbelievable. Oh!
Flea: May 9 at the Opera House. He’s playing trumpet, Anna Butterss is on bass in a band that also features guitarist Jeff Parker.
Luther Wright: May 9 at Cameron House 8 p.m.
Labyrinth Ensemble: May 9 at Aga Khan Museum. Featuring guest artist Efrén López from Spain, and introducing 13 new ensemble members.
Sonic Boom’s 25th anniversary with the Sadies, Kiwi Jr., Badge Époque Ensemble, Roach, the Get-Alongs, Paste, Sun Parker, special guests: May 9 at St. Anne’s Parish
Ariel Posen: May 9 at Allied Music Centre (Massey Hall)
Catl, the Kewpie Dolls, Thee Terrible Threes: May 9 at Dina’s Tavern
Brownman Ali’s 5 Weeks of Miles: May 9 at Contxt by Trane. This week: “Birth of the Cool,” post-bop Miles Davis.
Iron & Wine: May 9 at Fallsview Casino
Girma Woldemichael (Ethio-jazz saxophonist): May 9 at Redwood Theatre
Choir! Choir! Choir! with Sarah McLachlan: May 9 at Massey Hall #HaveNotBeentheSame
Karan Aulja: May 9-10 at Raptors/Leafs Arena
Daughters of Donbas: May 10 at Drom Taberna, 6 p.m. Reviewed here.
VNV Nation: May 10 at Danforth Music Hall
Sam Harris (lecture): May 10 at Meridian Hall
Sonido Torontonico Cumbia Lab: May 10 at Tranzac 10 p.m.
Purity Ring: May 11 at Opera House
Martin Loomer and his Orange Devils (big band): May 11 at Monarch Tavern 7.30 p.m.
The Velour Underground (tribute band): May 12 at Baby G
Donovan Woods: May 12 at History.
Sleaford Mods: May 12 at, of course, the Mod Club
Satchvai (Joe Satriani & Steve Vai): May 13 at Meridian Hall
Drumheller! Brodie West Quintet: May 13 at Tranzac 7 p.m.
One Leg One Eye (Ian Lynch of Lankum), Efrim Manuel Menuck: May 13 at St. Stephen’s in the Fields #HeartsOnFire. New OLOE album later in May; this one is from 2022:
Sessa, Kolumbo: May 14 at St. Anne’s Parish.
Joe Jackson: May 14 at Danforth Music Hall. Sold out.
Radhika Das: May 14 at Massey Hall
Meghan Dowlan: May 14 at the Garrison
Eric Cheneaux & Ryan Driver, Rafael Toral, Masahiro Takahashi & Brodie West: May 14 at Standard Time. Presented by Tone Festival.
Rangreza रंगरेज़ा by AR Rahman and Rushil Ranjan, featuring Abi Sampa: May 14-15 at Meridian Hall
Key spring dates
Herb Alpert & Tijuana Brass: May 15 at Massey Hall. 60th anniversary of Whipped Cream. The man is 90 years old!
Buzzcocks: May 15 at Opera House
Hidden Cameras, Sook-Yin Lee: May 21 at Longboat Hall #HeartsOnFire
Courtney Barnett: May 22 at History
Ace of Wands, Skye Wallace: May 22 at Sound Garage. Album release for Ace of Wands
Abigail Lapell: May 22 at Hugh’s Room. Album release for Shadow Child.
Belle and Sebastian: May 25-26, at Massey Hall. Performing Tigermilk on May 25, If You’re Feeling Sinister on May 26.
Geordie Gordon, José Contreras: May 27 at the Burdock. Album release for a Toronto MVP.
Don Pyle (book launch): May 28 at Standard Time
Whitehorse, Chloe Doucet: May 29 at Danforth Music Hall
William Basinski: May 31 at Prepare the Ground Festival
Amyl & the Sniffers, L7: June 4 at Ontario Place Amphitheatre
Skydiggers’ 40th anniversary: June 5 at Hugh’s Room #HaveNotBeentheSame
Feist, Broken Social Scene, Alessia Cara, Paul Langlois Band: June 6 at Nathan Phillips Square. Free, fundraiser for UHN Foundation. Details here. #HeartsOnFire #NeverEndingPresent
James Blake: June 6 at History
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.
Fiery Furnaces: June 7 at Hugh’s Room
Black Country New Road, Horsegirl: June 17 at History
David Murray and Kahil El Zabar Duo: June 19-20 at Contxt by Trane
Lambrini Girls, Big Special, Big Girl: June 20 at Concert Hall. Postponed from April 28.
More Toronto concert listings until March 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.
Tuesdays in May: The Velour Underground at Baby G
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.
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.
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.