As always, this isn’t everything that’s happening in the Toronto music scene this month because there simply aren’t enough monkeys and typewriters to showcase how much awesome is about to take place over these next 30 days. But the following suggestions should keep you away from Trinity Bellwoods long enough to let some of the grass grow back.
So, with maximum coverage in mind, let’s cut some corners and package this scene up. And on a related note, hiring for July: monkeys who can type. Qualifications: no smoking or smearing stuff on walls; and you must hate the direction Beck has gone since Midnight Vultures.
*Field Trip
No surprise that the warm weather ushers in the outdoor music season. Also no surprise that the huge success of Arts & Crafts’ inaugural Field Trip Festival – held last year as the label’s 10th anniversary party – turned this creation into an annual tradition. And the Toronto record label doesn’t plan on messing with what was widely regarded as the perfect recipe: same historic venue, same loyalty to their internal roster, same commitment to providing the community’s best culinary offerings, as well as collaborative explorations on the themes of art, photography, technology, and fashion; and for those of you who refuse to give up the dream – even though your Saturdays are more TreehouseOnDemand than MTV – kids are not only welcome, they’re freeeeeeeeeeeee. Get your permission forms in, round up every kid in the neighbourhood (that you won’t be arrested for taking), pack your dance sandals, and, if possible, leave the car at home. It’s time to go on a Field Trip.
Line-up includes Interpol, Broken Social Scene, The Kills, Lord Huron, Gord Downie, The Sadies, Hydra, The Constantines, Chvrches, Washed Out, and many more.
Fort York & Garrison Common. June 7-8. All ages. Single Day: $75. Weekend: $125.
*North by Northeast (NXNE)
Opinions vary as to what sort of impact CMW’s move from March to May will have on their mostly friendly festival rivalry with NXNE, both of which now take place less than six weeks apart. While we let organizers and various industry stakeholders figure out what works best for the long-term, we suggest you concert-going young professionals (YPs) consider last month’s CMW as the “dress rehearsal” – where hopefully you practiced your show scheduling and transportation, you experimented with your hangover remedies and call-in-sick excuses, and perhaps even attempted to dignify your walk of shame – while you treat the forthcoming NXNE as the “main event.” Because let’s be honest, where CMW scores with history, prestige, and a who’s who gathering of industry influence, NXNE reigns supreme with straight-up star and stage power. (Proof in the numbers: last year CMW brought 1,200 bands and entertained a total audience of 100,000 attendees; NXNE posted only 1,000 bands, but claimed over 350,000 concertgoers. The people spoke.)
Our dedicated readers will recall our Canadian Music Week Survival Guide from last month as a set of rules that can also be applied for maximum NXNE value. Basically, don’t do drugs. Or do drugs and whatever else keeps your party boat floating – it’s your life, NXNE is just there to show you how to turn it up a notch. And while we can’t give you Kendrick, we can provide a must-see list so long you’ll probably stop reading. Which is why we’ll save our absolute fave till last:
Spoon, Spiritualized, St. Vincent, Juicy J, Jacques Green, Sleigh Bells, Danny Brown, Mac Demarco, tUnE-yArDs, Rhye, A$Ap Ferg, Pusha T, Ryan Hemsworth, Swans, Run The Jewels, Omar Souleyman, Oneohtrix Point Never, Araabmuzik, Fuck Buttons, Speedy Ortiz, Tim Hecker, Kelela, Autre Ne Veut, Glasser, Zeus, Low, Mutual Benefit, Kirin J Callinan, Swearin’, Ps. I Love You, Young Magic, Xiu Xiu; and, drum roll, please… Future Islands. That’s right. If you see only one of these bands at NXNE, make it Future Islands. David Letterman shouldn’t be the only one proclaiming Samuel T. Herring’s live performance a life-altering experience.
Various Locations. June 13-22. Music Wristband: $75-$149. Single shows vary. So do age restrictions.
*Back to the Future at Molson Amphitheatre
Longing for the sounds of yesteryear? Enjoy playing the game “Oblivious, Ironic, or Spanish Soccer”? Because the people booking acts at Molson Amphitheatre plan on offering the opportunity for both. So don’t stop believing, because you’re one ticket and one magical word – perhaps Abracadabra? – away from being ready to fly like an eagle down to a Journey and Steve Miller Band co-headliner. Or maybe you have more than a feeling about a Boston gig featuring Cheap Trick? Doesn’t that sound like heaven tonight? Or maybe, just maybe, you’re the last remaining YP on earth courageous enough to admit you were keg-standing the Dave Matthews Band water even when he distinctly told you not to. Nice Birkenstocks, buddy.
Journey & Steve Miller. June 19. $30-$110. All ages.
Boston & Cheap Trick. June 23. $39-$82. All ages.
Dave Matthews Band. June 24. $46-$76.
*Three for the Show
Clap Your Hands Say Yeah – Amazingly, there was a time when bands became famous through the hard work of record labels and PR agencies. Of course, that was before CYHSY invented DIY Internet stardom. Over the years they’ve proven they weren’t just the first great viral sensation, but a lasting peripheral rock ensemble capable of exploiting a very singular (if not sonically offensive) vocal presence, and loose arrangements that don’t always sound on time or in tune, to purpose album after album of energy, exuberance, and songs really easy to love. Now if only the exercise of determining their moniker had been such an effortless success.
The Horseshoe Tavern. June 16. $20.
Merchandise – After numerous singles and extended plays on various indie punk labels, this Tampa trio finally connected with larger audiences and the more influential media with their second proper full length, Children of Desire. It’s an emotionally rich palette of composition at times both anthemic and quietly romantic and escorted throughout by a crooning baritone paying fairly unintentional homage to English leads from the 80s. But don’t go reminding them about those Smith, Curtis, and Morrissey comparisons, because, as one of the tracks from their third LP, Total Nite, more explicitly states regarding the band’s over-arching theme of individuality, “I’d rather kill myself than to be somebody else.” Hmm, maybe they just really love meat.
The Horseshoe Tavern. June 17. $12.50-$15.
The Antlers – From the very lo-fi of their earliest bedroom recordings to Hospice’s sky-scraping climaxes, to Burst Apart’s gorgeous electronic textures, there’s a certain reliability to the magnitude of impression left upon the listener: pure emotional devastation. So heavily lush and orchestrated, such powerful themes, so perfectly arranged and executed; when it comes to The Antlers, misery is paradoxically beautiful – and beauty is utterly heart wrenching. Need to entirely sweep that new date off their feet or re-ignite the romance? Well, we’ve just given you the setting. Now just don’t blow it by sobbing all the way home.
The Mod Club. June 27. $22.50.
*Stayin’ Alive at Your Day Job: Music That Unfortunately Isn’t in the Streets This Month
Unfortunately we’ve blabbed on so long about music that is in the streets this month that we haven’t had any time to talk about what’s not there yet. So we promise, ‘Stayin’ Alive At Your Day Job’ will be back and bigger than ever in July.
In the meantime, why don’t you tell us what we should be listening to at work over the next 30 days? Hit us up at @NotablyJook, and if you turn our crank, we’ll let our YPs in on the secret next issue. And we might even give you credit for it.
#LYNL | (Live Your Notable Life)
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