Strike a chord in the city this summer
Tiny clubs to outdoor havens, Toronto offers an abundance of hot spots for music lovers
Toronto music fans are lucky to enjoy a packed concert calendar yearround, but there’s something about the summer season that lends itself to taking in a show, from sitting on the lawn at an outdoor amphitheatre or catching multiple acts at a lively festival. Whether you’re hoping to see that big-name headliner or are more inclined to discover new sounds, at least one of these upcoming gigs should strike a chord.
MAY The Revolution — May 21, Phoenix Concert Theatre A year later, fans around the globe are still mourning the unique musical chameleon that was Prince. What better way to pay tribute to The Purple One than to catch this rare appearance by his backing band, The Revolution? They’re hitting the road for a summer tour that features this sole Canadian appearance.
Chance the Rapper — May 24, Budweiser Stage 2017 is surely the year of rising young Chicago rapper Chancelor Bennett, better known as Best New Artist Grammy winner Chance the Rapper. He brings his fresh approach to hip hop that’s infused with soul and gospel influences to the venue formerly known as the Molson Amphitheatre later this month.
The Weeknd — May 26, Air Canada Centre R&B superstar Abel Tesfaye might just be Toronto’s biggest export after the 6 God, catapulting into the pop stratosphere far beyond his shadowy beginnings with his latest album, Starboy. After kicking off his world tour earlier this year in Europe, The Weeknd’s finally back for an arenasized homecoming scaled to the size of his musical ambition.
Norah Jones — May 26 & 27, Massey Hall The jazz-pop star quietly dropped a new record, Day Breaks, last fall after years away from the spotlight raising a son and working on an eclectic array of side projects. The album finds Jones returning to her roots with a focus on the elegant piano melodies she became known for back in the early 2000s.
JUNE Bonnie Raitt — June 9, Sony Centre The undisputed queen of American blues-rock will certainly give ’em something to talk about when she hits the Sony Centre in support of her latest album, Dig In Deep (her 20th record in a nearly 50-year career) with her long-time touring band, who have rejoined her on the road since 2012. The stage is where this legend shines brightest.
The Wailers — June 15, Phoenix Concert Theatre Another legendary backing band rolls through town with the arrival of The Wailers, continuing reggae king Bob Marley’s legacy with their euphoric live shows.
Alexisonfire — June 18-22, Danforth Music Hall Alexisonfire fans have clearly been waiting for the Ontario post-hardcore quintet to come out of hibernation following their farewell tour in 2011. Given that the band says they have no immediate plans to reunite beyond summer live dates, expect all four nights to sell out in a flash.
Faith Hill and Tim McGraw — June 23 & 24, Air Canada Centre Country superstars Faith Hill and Tim McGraw aren’t just a married couple — they’re also a two-headed musical force to be reckoned with. They’ve been dominating the music charts since the1990s, pushing country music into the pop mainstream and becoming some of the most popular touring artists in the world along the way.
JULY Buckingham McVie — July 5, Budweiser Stage Missed Fleetwood Mac’s 2015 reunion shows? They might lack Stevie Nicks’ flair for drama, but bandmates Lindsey Buckingham and Christine McVie have joined forces for a new duets album and tour, the first time the duo has worked together in the studio since Fleetwood Mac’s1987 album Tango in the Night.
Ed Sheeran — July 7 & 8, Air Canada Centre Love him or hate him, Ed Sheeran’s earnest brand of pop keeps climbing the charts — and stirring the hearts of fans young and old alike. With 22 million albums sold and 4.7 billion Spotify streams, the British singersongwriter has been inescapable since the release of his third album earlier this year.
Blondie & Garbage — July 26, Sony Centre Along with her band, Debbie Harry certainly paved the way for a generation of cool female rockers — and they’re still at it nearly four decades later. They’re perfectly matched with ’90s alt-rock survivors Garbage, who boast their own fierce frontwoman in Shirley Manson.
Kendrick Lamar — July 25, Air Canada Centre Back with the universally acclaimed release DAMN., hip-hop Renaissance man Kendrick Lamar hits the ACC with special guests Travis Scott and D.R.A.M. following his muchbuzzed appearance at Coachella.
AUGUST Fleet Foxes — August 4 & 5, Massey Hall It’s been quite some time since we last heard from Fleet Foxes, but the Seattle quintet return after a six-year hiatus with a new release, Crack-Up, this June.
Shawn Mendes — August 11 & 12, Air Canada Centre Wondering who’ll take the mantle of teen pop heartthrob now that Justin Bieber is all grown up? Look no further than local wunderkind Shawn Mendes, embarking on his first arena world tour thanks to the hordes of screaming girls who follow his every move online and off.
Bruno Mars — August 26 & 27, Air Canada Centre You have to hand it to Bruno Mars — he’s a sheer entertainer in the classic sense of the term. After all, what can’t he do? Drawing on a wide variety of musical styles and backed by a multi-talented live band, Mars in concert sounds like a guaranteed good time.