Concerts by Canadians to wrap up Canada 150
Big names and rising stars serve up pop, R&B and jazz as local talents take the stage
With only two and a half months left in 2017, we may be winding down Canada 150 celebrations, but there’s still plenty of time to catch some of the country’s best musicians across the city’s many stages before the new year. From established superstars to buzzworthy up-and-comers, here are our picks for the best of the season’s concert calendar: October
Tory Lanez — Oct. 21, Phoenix Concert Theatre Tory Lanez’s rare local appearance as part of the Red Bull Sound Selects “3 Days in Toronto” concert series will be a hot ticket. He’s had his share of controversy, there’s nothing contentious about his catchy, melodic blend of R&B and hip-hop and intense stage presence. November
Arcade Fire — Nov. 3-4, Air Canada Centre It’s hard to deny that Montreal’s Arcade Fire continues to ride high as one of the biggest rock bands in the world. Those that followed the group from its beginnings in small local clubs might decry Arcade Fire’s current stadium status, but the band has been performing in an “in the round” format that should make the ACC feel a bit less cavernous. Don’t miss the opening set from fellow indie army (and hometown heroes) Broken Social Scene.
Crystal Castles — Nov. 17, Danforth Music Hall Following an acrimonious split between founding members Ethan Kath and Alice Glass, local electropunks Crystal Castles returned last year with new album Amnesty, featuring new vocalist Edith Frances. While fans might miss Glass’ distinctive vocals, the group’s dark synths-and-beats sound remains as relentless and ferocious as ever, and its notoriously high-intensity live sets have followed suit.
Diana Krall — Nov. 24-25, Massey Hall Jazz superstar Diana Krall’s upcoming date at Massey Hall is a perfect pairing of performer and venue — the historic stage’s renowned warm acoustics are the ideal showcase for Krall’s smoky voice and piano playing. On her new album Turn Up the Quiet, the Grammy and Juno Awardwinning pianist and singer reunites with longtime producer Tommy LiPuma for a sleekly romantic take on classic standards such as Night and Day and L-O-V-E. December
The Tenors — Dec.12, Sony Centre for the Performing Arts Since 2009, vocal supergroup the Tenors have sold more than one million albums worldwide. But when they split with member Remigio Pereira, many wondered if the group would weather the storm. The Tenors — Victor Micallef, Clifton Murray and Fraser Walters — decided to continue as a trio. They’ll get into the holiday spirit with songs from their new Christmas Together album.
Alvvays — Dec. 12-16, Mod Club Theatre If there was any indication just how much fans were anticipating the second album from Toronto indie-pop quartet Alvvays, look no further than its five-night stand of sold-out shows at the Mod Club. Alvvays’ second full-length, Antisocialites, builds on the promise of its winsome hit Archie, Marry Me, its Camera Obscuraesque jangle offset by noise pop, all topped by frontwoman Molly Ran- kin’s yearning croon.
Daniel Caesar — Dec.16-19, Danforth Music Hall Rising indie Toronto R&B/soul singer Daniel Caesar seems to be everywhere — on the cover of magazines, performing with Chance the Rapper on the Late Show with Stephen Colbert, and selling out four hometown shows in a flash. The buzz is no fluke — Caesar is about to break out big, thanks to the intimate love songs on his debut album, Freudian, and cosigns from some of the biggest names in the biz, including Mary J. Blige.