SOUNDS OF SUMMER
Upcoming concert season has something for all tastes,
Toronto music fans are always spoiled for choice when it comes to live shows, but come summertime, the concert calendar explodes with festivals, outdoor performances and big-name headliners coming through town. Here’s a roundup of some sunny-season highlights from around the city (or just a short road trip away) that are sure to make you sing along.
MAY Pearl Jam — May 10 & 11, Air Canada Centre
‘90s nostalgia is in full gear, and what better way to remember that era than to revisit the music of one of grunge’s pioneers? Eddie Vedder and his Seattle cohorts marked 25 years of touring last year, and their last album, Light
ning Bolt, debuted at the top of the Billboard charts. Seems like that angsty rock sound never goes out of style.
Abida Parveen — May 15, Roy Thomson Hall
One of the most influential Sufi musicians of our time, Pakistani singer Abida Parveen has shattered stereotypes by reinventing a musical form dominated by men. Parveen’s Toronto visit will be a rare chance to see why fellow musical masterminds such as Bjork have cited her as an inspiration for her unique performances based on Sufi poetry.
Justin Bieber — May 18 & 19, Air Canada Centre
Just when you thought Biebermania was over, the homegrown popstar’s back with a vengeance, reinventing his sound with two hit singles, “Sorry” and “What Do You Mean?” It’s a slick electro-tinged left turn into adulthood for the former teen idol, and a strong bid for redemption after a long string of TMZ-worthy mishaps.
Jeff Healey tribute — May 27, Massey Hall
Jeff Healey’s friends and peers will take the venerable Massey Hall stage to celebrate the late local bluesman’s life and legacy on what would have been his 50th birthday. Healey, who lost his sight in childhood due to retinoblastoma, a rare form of eye cancer, was known for his distinctive lap-style guitar technique that garnered him a Grammy nomination and multiple Juno Awards. Over his long career, he shared the stage with the likes of B.B. King, Eric Clapton, the Rolling Stones, and many other greats, and sold millions of albums with his trio, the Jeff Healey Band. Healey died in 2008, but this tribute will remember his virtuosity, while raising funds for the charity World Eye Cancer Hope.
Wolf Parade — May 24-28, Lee’s Palace
Still missing your favourite bands from a decade ago? Don’t worry, they’re likely to reunite any day now. Wolf Parade fans are pretty happy the synth-heavy Montreal indie rockers are back after a five-year hiatus — they’ve sold out not just one, but five straight nights at Lee’s Palace. Carrie Underwood — May 28, Air Canada Centre Despite the arena venue, fans of the country queen can expect somewhat of an intimate show — this tour marks the first time Underwood has done an “in the round”-style performance. Along with the hits, she’ll be playing songs from her recent Storyteller album. And even though she might be aiming for intimacy, that won’t preclude big production values — the tour’s creative director has worked with everyone from Metallica to No Doubt.
21C Music Festival — May 25-29, Royal Conservatory
Classical music goes contemporary in this week-long look at the new sounds and ideas being presented by current composers tackling 21st-century music in innovative ways. This year’s slate features work by familiar names such as Owen Pallett and Laurie Anderson, and an anticipated collaboration by Polaris Prize-winning throat singer Tanya Tagaq and acclaimed
JUNE Meat Loaf — June 4, Massey Hall
If you only know Meat Loaf for his power ballad “I’d Do Anything for Love”, that’s only a small part of a much bigger story. With over 44 million albums sold over his career, the former stage actor born Marvin Lee Aday has become one of the great American rock ’n’ roll icons. His best-known record, Bat Out of Hell, is one of the bestselling albums of all time, but he’s not done making records yet — his latest, Braver Than
We Are, comes out in September, so his Massey Hall set could include some brand-new tunes amongst all the big hits.
Field Trip — June 5 & 6, Fort York & Garrison Common
A newer entry into the ever-crowded summer-festival scene, Field Trip, organized by local indie tastemaker record label Arts & Crafts, is the downtown denizen’s dream gig. Every aspect is lovingly curated, from the hip lineup (The National and Robyn headline, but there are also local favourites Basia Bulat and Jason Collett, and emerging discoveries such as Charlotte Day Wilson) to the locovore food vendors to the visual art on display.
Bestival — June 11 & 12, Woodbine Park
This British import is shifting gears from last year’s edition, moving from Toronto Island to Woodbine Park. Look for a freewheeling approach both in terms of atmosphere (there’s Bollywood entertainment and an inflatable church on site) and lineup: this year’s headliners include retro favourites like the Cure, but also current buzz acts Tame Impala and Jamie XX.
North by Northeast Festival (NXNE) — June 13-19, various venues
After more than two decades of summertime club-hopping, NXNE takes a slightly different focus this year, with fewer club shows and a new hub down at the Port Lands. The lineup is as eclectic as ever, with headliners running the gamut from Kamasi Washington, Pere Ubu, Ghostface Killah, Shamir and Father John Misty. The fest also includes an interactive conference and a gaming venue at Yonge-Dundas Square.
Paul Simon — June 21, Sony Centre
From his time with songwriting partner Art Garfunkel to a string of classic hits (who doesn’t know “Bridge Over Troubled Water” or “Still Crazy After All These Years”?), Paul Simon has had the kind of career most musicians can only dream of. The soft-seater Sony Centre is the perfect venue for a solo take on his lifelong run of awardwinning songcraft.
TD Toronto Jazz Festival — June 24-July 3, various venues
This year’s fest brings together some of jazz music’s masters with those who don’t necessarily fall within the genre, but whose music is certainly inspired by it. Vancouver folk-pop veteran Sarah McLachlan hits the Sony Centre June 24 for a special acoustic trio set, while soul diva Sharon Jones and her band the Dap-Kings will bring their party vibe to Nathan Phillips Square on June 25. True jazz heads will thrill to the Jazz at Lincoln Centre Orchestra with Wynton Marsalis on June 28 at, or keyboardist Chick Corea and his trio on June 29 (both shows at Koerner Hall).
Sting and Peter Gabriel — June 29, Air Canada Centre
It’s been a long time since they’ve toured together (supporting Amnesty International in the ‘80s), but these two musical icons join forces once again this summer for a special show where they’ll play their own memorable tunes but also meld their bands to collaborate on each other’s biggest hits (dare we suggest a world-music take on “Fields of Gold”?).
JULY Beaches Jazz Festival — July 2-24, various venues
It might be smaller in scope than its more established counterpart, but the Beaches Jazz Fest is a mainstay on jazz fans’ summer calendar for its focus on local and Canadian talent. This year, the signature streetfest along Queen St. E. on the festival’s final weekend will feature more than 40 bands performing big band, swing, Dixieland, Afro-Cuban, funk and soul sounds.
Afrofest — July 9 & 10, Woodbine Park
After a skirmish with city hall that threatened to curtail this popular annual event to a single day, cooler heads prevailed and the fest will take place over two days as usual. Though this year’s lineup hasn’t been announced yet, thousands of fans turn out each year to check out traditional African music by artists from across the continent — previous acts have
Wayhome Festival — July 22-24, Burl’s Creek, Oro-Medonte
Run by the promoters behind the big American festival Bonnaroo, this megafest arrived in Ontario last year with a bang. It’s not hard to see why — this year’s bill features some of the biggest names in popular music, with headliners LCD Soundsystem and Major Lazer, but there’s also a ton of homegrown favourites, including Arcade Fire, Stars, Metric, and more. Throw in a great outdoor venue not far from the city plus on-site camping, and you’ve got the recipe for an ideal summer weekend.
Drake — July 31 & Aug. 1, Air Canada Centre
He already has the key to the city — can we just declare hip-hop megastar Drake Toronto’s unofficial musical mascot now? The biggest fan of The 6 returns home to the ACC for what’s sure to be a triumphant throwdown for his new album, Views. The “Hotline Bling” hitmaker will be joined by fellow rap god Future and some other special guests — anyone who has been to Drake’s annual OVO shows knows to anticipate some pretty big names.
AUGUST Boots and Hearts — Aug. 4-7, Burl’s Creek, Oro-Medonte
A rather different crowd than those heading to Wayhome will descend on Oro-Medonte for Boots and Hearts, the largest country-music festival to ever take place in Canada. It’s grown exponentially since its beginnings four years ago, this year boasting some of the biggest names in country, including Tim McGraw, Blake Shelton, and Dierks Bentley.
Shawn Mendes — Aug. 21, Air Canada Centre
Everyone loves a local-kid-makes-good story, and Toronto teen heartthrob Shawn Mendes’ rise up the charts is worthy of a TV movie. At only 17, he’s already racked up a number-one debut album and single and headlined Radio City Music Hall (the show sold out in under five minutes). He’ll make all the girls swoon with his catchy tunes when he comes home for a victory lap at the ACC.
UB40 featuring Ali Campbell, Astro, and Mickey Virtue — Aug. 31, Danforth Music Hall
The three founding members of iconic Birmingham reggae troupe UB40 reunite to recapture the spirit of their smooth yet rootsy musical blend that saw them top the U.K. charts and sell more than 70 million records during their long career. Expect to hear hits such as “Red Red Wine” but also their current take on the genre.