It’s Canadian Music Week! Rebranded as Departure, music lovers can watch a plethora of up-and-coming Canadian artists playing in venues across the city.
But while you’re at it, check out some of the other heavy-hitters touring this week. Whether you’re looking to jam out to Karan Aujla or sway to Katie Tupper, this list of shows in Toronto has it all.
From arena metalcore to Punjabi hip-hop to Saskatoon neo-soul, concert lovers will have plenty of opportunities to catch a show or two around the GTA.
Here are some of the artists performing in Toronto this week:
Departure 2026
- When: May 4 to May 10
- Where: Various venues in Toronto
The 2026 edition of Departure Festival has arrived in Toronto! Get ready to catch a plethora of shows at venues across the city over the course of this week from May 4 to May 10. Originally billed as Canadian Music Week, the festival and conference has been a major music industry trade event since 1982. Don’t miss performances by Chastity, cherry pick, Chloe Tang, Loren Aronov, Mighloe, and a ton of other artists. Check out the list of performances here.
NewDad
- When: May 4
- Where: Danforth Music Hall
Irish indie rock band NewDad will be performing at Danforth Music Hall Monday night to promote their sophomore album Altar. The four-piece formed in 2018 and have already been compared to the Cure and Beadadoobee. In 2020, the band released four singles, with “I Don’t Recognise You” gaining over two million Spotify streams. Over the years, NewDad have played major music festivals including Gastonbury, Lollapalooza, and Pitchfork Music Festival. General admission tickets for their show are $44.
Katie Tupper
- When: May 7
- Where: Mod Club
Saskatoon neo-soul singer-songwriter Katie Tupper will be playing The Mod Club Thursday night to support her latest album, Greyhound. In 2021, Tupper debuted her first single, “Live Inside” on Zane Lowe and she’s been on the up-and-up since. She’s released two EPs, been featured in Exclaim! Magazine and Under the Radar, and was nominated for a Juno Award in 2024 for Traditional/R&B Soul Recording. Tickets for her show are sold out.
Lowest of the Low
- When: May 8 and 9
- Where: Danforth Music Hall
Lowest of the Low, one of Canada’s most influential alternative rock bands, are playing two nights at Danforth Music Hall this Friday and Saturday for the 35th anniversary of their deput album, Shakespeare My Butt. The Toronto five-piece have survived two hiatuses and released nine studio albums. Shakespeare My Butt was included in the music magazine Chart’s 10 greatest albums in Canadian music history in three reader polls. Tickets for the band’s May 8 show start at $47 and verified resale tickets for their May 9 show start at $42.
Karan Aujla
- When: May 9
- Where: Scotiabank Arena
Indian singer and rapper Jaskaran Singh Aujla, known professionally as Karan Aujla, is taking over Scotiabank Arena this Saturday. Since his debut in 2014, he’s grown to be a worldwide sensation. In 2021, he was crowned the Largest Digital Artist on Spotify and is one of the platform’s most popular artists in Punjabi music. Aujla’s second and third albums Making Memories and P-Pop Culture, both reached within the top five on the Billboard Canadian Albums Chart, peaking at number five and number two, respectively. Tickets for his concert are just about sold out. There is a single Side View Offer ticket at $236.50 and two Official Platinum tickets at $615.73 each.
August Burns Red and The Amity Affliction
- When: May 10
- Where: HISTORY
Metalcore and post-hardcore heavyweights August Burns Red and The Amity Affliction will be opening up the mosh pit at HISTORY Sunday night on The Spring Horizons Tour. August Burns Red will be releasing their 11th studio album, Season of Surrender on June 5. The band has been nominated for two Grammy Awards for Best Metal Performance, in 2016 and 2018. The Amity Affliction put out their ninth album, House of Cards, in late April. General admission floor tickets are $60.50. There is a single box seat remaining for $84.50.
