When it comes to Toronto’s music scene, finding something to do can’t get any easier.
The city has an abundance of artistic events and live shows, and because everyone is so diverse, it’s reflected back to us in our artistic landscape.
That’s why every month we’ll be rounding up concerts set to hit stages across the city. For January, we’ve rounded up 15 concerts by genre going down in the 6ix (and we’re willing to bet you’ll see something you like).
READ MORE: 10 intimate and charming music venues you have to check out in Toronto
INSTRUMENTAL
1. Jan. 13- Homayoun Shajarian and Anoushiravan Rohani, Meridian Hall
Iranian singer, composer, and traditional fusion musician Homayoun Shajarian and Iranian composer and pianist Anoushiravan Rohani will grace the stage at Meridian Hall on Jan.13 at 8:30 p.m.
Rohani is regarded as one of the greatest Iranian pianists and composers. According to his website, his songs have been performed in different languages around the world. He has also received several international accolades throughout his career, including the first prize in Spain’s Music Festival for his song Mi Destino (Spanish version of Soltan-e-Ghalbhaa).
Together, the two will wow audience members at Meridian Hall, the country’s largest soft-seat theatre. The facility was constructed for the City of Toronto’s municipal government and is currently managed by TO Live, an arms-length agency and registered charity created by the city.
For more information, click here.
2. Jan. 18- Sofar Sounds Toronto Concert, Leslieville
Sofar Sounds, a music events startup company founded in 2009, is best known for its various small performances hosted in over 400 cities and is now making a stop in Toronto on Jan.18.
The secret concert location is somewhere in Leslieville and won’t be revealed until 36 hours before the show, which is set for 7:30 p.m.
Sofar Sounds is known for creating space where music matters. The organization brings artists and audiences together through unique live music experiences in intimate spaces.
The neighbourhood of Leslieville is quite fitting thanks to its family-friendly yet hip atmosphere that’s made it one of the city’s most sought-after areas.
For more information, click here.
3. Jan. 19- Fazıl Say and Friends, Koerner Hall
Turkish pianist and master composer Fazıl Say will bring his talent to the city on Jan.19 at Koerner Hall, at 8 p.m.
For more than 25 years, Say has touched audiences with his pianistic talents with guest appearances taking him to countless countries on all five continents.
He isn’t just known for his music. In December 2016, Say was awarded the International Beethoven Prize for Human Rights, Peace, Freedom, Poverty Reduction and Inclusion, in Bonn, Germany. In the autumn of 2017, he was also awarded the Music Prize of the city of Duisburg, Germany.
Torontonians can witness his raw talent at Koerner Hall, which is known as one of the world’s finest concert halls.
For more information, click here.
4. Jan. 20- Lara St. John, Mazzoleni Concert Hall
Canadian-born violinist Lara St. John will serenade a lucky audience on Jan. 20 at Mazzoleni Concert Hall at 8 p.m.
John has been deemed by The New York Times as a high-powered soloist and a volcanic violinist by the L.A Times.
Seven years ago, John appeared on NPR’s Tiny Desk Concert and blew everyone away with her unique abilities on the violin.
The musician will take her talents to the beautifully restored Mazzoleni Concert Hall, which is a part of Toronto’s Heritage Building and known as one of the city’s finest historical spaces.
For more information, click here.
R&B AND HIP HOP
5. Jan. 17- Aaryan Shah, The Garrison
R&B artist Aaryan Shah, a child of immigrants from India, will take a break from Los Angeles and touch down in Toronto this month.
The 20 -year-old dropped out of school at just 15 years old to pursue his craft and taught himself how to sing and play musical instruments.
Today, the artist is no doubt enjoying the fruits of his labour following his 2018 mega hit “Renegade,” which accumulated nearly 40 million views on YouTube.
You might catch this banger when he performs at The Garrison on Jan. 17 at 8 p.m. This beloved venue, which opened its doors in 2009, is considered one of the OG venues to pop up around Ossington Avenue and Dundas West.
Today, the space welcomes international acts while still supporting local artists.
For more information, click here.
6. Jan. 27- Joey Valence & Brae, Hard Luck Bar
American hip hop duo Joey Valence & Brae will bring all the swag to the city.
The pair met during their freshman year at Pennsylvania State University, where they became friends and started creating music together. Their first single, “Crank It Up,” was released in 2021 and launched them into the limelight.
But it wasn’t until they went on “The Ellen DeGeneres Show” that things really took off, when they performed their smash hit “Double Jump.”
The duo is now coming to Toronto’s Hard Luck Bar on Jan. 27 at 7 p.m.
The bar is a lively music spot and the ultimate hub for music enthusiasts. The space has hosted famous artists and a laundry list of concerts.
For more information, click here.
ROCK
7. Jan. 19- Beartooth, History
Beartooth is an American rock band that will be making a special appearance in Toronto at History on Jan. 19. This is an all ages event and doors open at 5:30 p.m.
The band is ready to share music from its latest album The Surface, as they continue their North American tour, which features these bands: The Plot in You, Invent Animate and Sleep Theory.
To date, Beartooth’s biggest hit is “Riptide,” which has garnered over four million views on YouTube and was released last year.
Their tour includes only two Canadian shows in Toronto and Montreal.
For more information, click here.
8. Jan. 20- Mac Saturn, Velvet Underground
Detroit band Mac Saturn is currently on the road for its first major headlining tour and Toronto fans can grab tickets to the band’s high-energy and melodic show in the city.
According to the band, although they fall into the rock category, they aren’t hesitant to infuse it with funk and Motown.
Mac Saturn will take the stage at the iconic Velvet Underground. The venue dates back to the 1990s where it underwent a transformation from dance club to an all-ages live music hub.
The show is set for Jan. 28 at 6:30 p.m. For more information, click here.
POP
9. Jan. 24- Amber Liu, The Opera House
American singer, rapper and songwriter Amber Liu, is bringing her star power to Toronto for her No More Sad Song tour.
Nowadays, Liu stands on her own two feet after once being in a South Korean girl group back in 2009. Today, she is rewriting norms on the global stage when it comes to pop music.
Liu has seen major success for her hit songs “Other People” and “Curiosity” and has a steady fan base, including over one million YouTube subscribers and 5.5 million followers on Instagram.
Her show will go down at The Opera House located on Queen Street East in Riverside. This venue opened its doors in 1909, but the building was originally known as the La Plaza Theatre and seated nearly 900 people.
La Plaza eventually functioned as a cinema until single screen venues were no longer viable in movie theatres, and the space was transformed into a performing arts venue.
You can catch her on Jan. 24 at The Opera House. Doors open at 8 p.m.
For more information, click here.
10. Jan. 25- Jamie Fine, The Axis Club
Jamie Fine is the co-winner of the first season of Canadian reality music competition The Launch and is known for her lively music and personality.
As a kid, the Ottawa-born singer, and artist gravitated towards music as a way of healing from bullying she experienced in school. She nods to the Black Eyed Peas, Nickelback and J. Cole for creating some of her favourite tunes to spin. Fine would later enroll in culinary school instead of university and launch her own catering business fresh out of graduation. But ultimately, in 2027, a “creative awakening” would bring her back to music, on a full-time basis.
Her single “If Anything’s Left” would later gain nearly 25 million global streams.
You can catch Fine at The Axis Club, a premier music venue in the core of downtown Toronto and formerly known as the Mod Club on Jan. 25 at 7 p.m.
For more information, click here.
11. Jan. 30- Meet Me @ The Altar, The Axis Club
American pop-punk trio, Meet Me @ the Altar, is bringing their Say It To My Facetour to town to perform tracks from their most recent album, Past // Present // Future.
The band is known for their Gen Z attitude drawing on classic Millennial pop music.
The group consists of three Black and Latinx women who hold their cultural heritage close.
Additionally, their tour includes performances from Honey Revenge, John Harvie and Elliot Lee. The band is coming to The Axis Club on Jan. 30 and doors open at 6:30 p.m.
For more information, click here.
ELECTRONIC
12. Jan. 26- Sammy Virji, CODA
U.K artist Sammy Virji is said to be at the pinnacle of the electronic music scene and is looking to take things to the international stage with his North American Tour, and Toronto is a no-brainer destination.
The London-based DJ and producer’s latest single “If U Need It” has amassed over 170,00 views since its release two months ago.
The song showcases the artist’s keen eye for infectious grooves and captivating vocal hooks.
You can find Virji on Jan. 26 at CODA, a mid-size, music-first music venue offering a world class experience to Toronto’s nightlife scene. The venue also prides itself on connectivity and self-expression. A place to be lost together by order of sound and Toronto’s home for all things electronic.
The show starts at 10 p.m.
For more information, click here.
13. Jan. 31- Dystinct, Phoenix Concert Theatre
Belgium-born artist Dystinct has made waves in the music industry and is bringing his sound to the 6ix for one night.
The artist’s style is a blend of hip hop, pop, and electronic music. Dystinct is no stranger to going viral on numerous occasions, including his single “Ghazali” which has 90 million views on YouTube to date.
You can hear many of his hits at his show at the Phoenix Concert Theatre, a popular music venue that has been in operation since 1991 and has since become one of the city’s most iconic concert venues.
The show will take place on Jan. 31 at 7 p.m.
For more information, click here.
OTHER
14. Jan. 19- Augusta, J.Hutton and Oliver Forest, Horseshoe Tavern
Augusta, J.Hutton and Oliver Forest will bring down the house, at a collective show at the Horseshoe Tavern on Jan.19 at 8:30 p.m.
Ontario R&B and Indie artist J.Hutton won’t be shying away from the stage despite his mysterious nature. The local artist’s hit track “Old Fashioned” will surely be a crowd pleaser.
Oliver Forest, who fuses folk, pop and rock, will also hit the stage blending powerful melodies and rich instrumentation into a truly unique listening experience when sharing their latest EP “Anything But You,” featuring six new songs that showcase their evolution as artists.
Augusta, a band located in the heart of Toronto, is an up-and-coming force in the world of alternative rock. Their music has found a special place in the hearts of fans across Canada since their debut single release in 2022. Additionally, their songs have been featured on Hockey Night in Canada, offering a national platform for their unique sound.
You can catch these special acts at Horseshoe Tavern, a bar that opened its doors in 1947 and has seen the likes of Green Day members and legendary 1960s band The Rolling Stones.
For more information, click here.
15. Jan. 26- Ute Lemper, Massey Hall
Ute Gertrud Lemper, a German singer and actress, has been in the music game since the 1980s and shows no sign of slowing down on anyone’s accord.
Her roles in musicals include playing Sally Bowles in the original Paris production of Cabaret. She would later win the 1987 Molière Award for Best Newcomer, and Velma Kelly in the revival of Chicago in both London and New York, which won her the 1998 Olivier Award for Best Actress in a Musical.
You can catch Lemper performing under the baton of Canadian conductor Francis Choinière and the FILMharmonic Orchestra at Massey Hall, which is internationally famous for being Canada’s most important venue for concerts attracting many of the world’s leading celebrities.
The show will take place on Jan. 26 at 8 p.m.
For more information, click here.
