Canadian Music Week’s been around since 1981 but in recent years has confused its branding a bit by renaming the music and film festival portion Canadian Music Fest. Essentially it’s the same thing, though, except that your CMF wristband ($75 for five days) doesn’t get you into the conference itself. It’s important to remember that while the wristband admits you to any show, most big-ticket events accept only a limited number of them, so plan on arriving really early. On the bright side, many of the hipper local bands are playing multiple gigs, so if you plan your week properly, you should be able to catch a bunch of great music.
Little Girls, Makeout Videotape, Brian Borcherdt, RatTail, Actual Water, Rituals, Mausoleum
The Garrison (1197 Dundas West), tonight (Thursday, March 10)
Hand Drawn Dracula and Unfamiliar present a great weirdo rock bill.
Yukon Blonde, Memoryhouse, Young Empires, Prussia
The Great Hall (1087 Queen West), tonight (Thursday, March 10)
CBC Radio 2 presents BC classic pop revisionists Yukon Blonde.
John Acquaviva, Manzone & Strong, Joee Cons
Cobra (510 King West), tonight (Thursday, March 10)
Canadian house pioneer John Acquaviva pounds out some beats.
Young Galaxy, These Electric Lives, Imaginary Cities, Miracle Fortress, the Wilderness of Manitoba
Lee’s Palace (529 Bloor West), tonight (Thursday, March 10) See preview, page 38.
Land of Talk, Hollerado, Cadence Weapon, Isis, Little Scream
The Opera House (735 Queen East), tonight (Thursday, March 10)
A very eclectic bill of Canadian rock, hip-hop, disco, and pop.
Live Near Bellwoods
w/ Hooded Fang, Allie Hughes, Paper Lions, Olenka & the Autumn Lovers, Wilderness of Manitoba and many more
Toronto Institute for the Enjoyment of Music (821 Queen West), Thursday to Saturday (March 10-12 )
See preview.
Kurt Vile & The Violators, J Mascis, James Vincent McMorrow
The Great Hall (1087 Queen West), Friday (March 11)
See preview.
Esben & the Witch, Karkwa, Kingdom, Bok Bok
Wrongbar (1279 Queen West), Friday (March 11)
See preview.
The Indies
w/ Janelle Monáe, Shad, Hollerado, Bombay Bicycle Club and many more
Fairmont Royal York Hotel, Canadian Room (11 Front West), Saturday (March 12)
See preview.
The Russian Futurists, Dinosaur Bones, the Zoobombs, Diemonds
Baitshop Gallery (358 Dufferin), Saturday (March 12)
Afternoon all-ages show, from glam metal to electronic pop.
Teenanger, Ty Segall, Heavy Cream, the Pack A.D., Mockingbird Wish Me Luck
Wrongbar (1279 Queen West), Saturday (March 12)
A strong bill of garage rock, punk and high-octane blues.
