Bestival
The UK’s Bestival hits Toronto for a second year, but relocates from Toronto Island to Woodbine Park – likely due to last year’s nightmarish ferry transportation issues. The UK version is a celebration of dancey music and flamboyant attire and set pieces, and Toronto gets some of that, though the 2016 acts are also pretty rock ‘n’ roll.
Those who missed out on Tame Impala‘s Massey Hall set last year prior to the release of latest album Currents – NOW’s top album of 2015 – finally get to hear it live at the Aussie disco-psych-rock band’s Saturday, June 11, headlining set. Electronic vibes come earlier that day with Odesza, Jamie XX and buzzy local Elliott Vincent Jones.
English goth/new wave legends the Cure headline June 12, their first Toronto show in two years. Recent NOW cover star Grimes warms up the stage with her forward-thinking Art Angels material, and English indie folkies Daughter just before them.
Expect peace signs and good vibes.
June 11 and 12 at Woodbine Park (Coxwell and Lake Shore East), gates at noon. One-day pass $84.50, VIP $134.50 two-day pass $159.50, VIP $249.50. bestival.ca.
Field Trip
Lots to love about Field Trip, a truly homegrown festival – and one of Toronto’s most family-friendly. (Children under 12 get in free, and there’s kids’ programming.) The folks behind Arts & Crafts launched the first one in 2013 to commemorate the record label’s 10th anniversary, and the fest has since expanded to include visual art, comedy, tech and fashion components.
But music is still at its heart. This year, the National and Robyn each headline a night, the National on Saturday (June 4) and Robyn on Sunday (June 5). The former get assists from mesmerizing Santigold, explosive rapper Jazz Cartier and festival favourites July Talk, to name a few.
Swedish songwriter-to-the-stars Robyn, meanwhile, shares the stage with unstoppably soulful Charles Bradley and his Extraordinaires, kooky Athens rockers/Elephant 6ers Of Montreal, autoharp-loving folk-pop gal Basia Bulat and unpredictable Brooklyn rockers DIIV.
June 4 and 5 at Fort York Garrison Common (250 Fort York), gates at 1 pm. One-day pass $75, VIP $125 two-day pass $125, VIP $200. ticketmaster.ca, fieldtriplife.com.
Sharon Jones
Toronto Jazz Festival
Kendrick Lamar’s revelatory To Pimp A Butterly album from 2015 has helped bring jazz into the modern music conversation.
In addition to contributions from Flying Lotus, Thundercat and Kamasi Washington, it’s got Robert Glasper‘s piano and keyboards all over it. The Houston jazz musician has been a force for years, winning a Grammy for best R&B album in 2012, but now a younger generation is also taking note. Expect a diverse, enthusiastic crowd of hip-hop heads, R&B romantics and goateed jazzers at his Toronto Jazz Festival performance (June 29 at Nathan Phillips Square).
The fest, which turns 30 this year, also includes sure bets like Sharon Jones and the Dap-Kings (you can never go wrong with the indomitable Jones, at Nathan Phillips Square June 25), Lee Fields & the Expressions (June 26 at Nathan Phillips Square), Gregory Porter (June 28 at Nathan Phillips Square), Chick Corea Trio (June 29 at Koerner Hall) and Wynton Marsalis (June 28 at Koerner Hall).
Myriad local acts are also represented, incuding Robi Botos, Alex Pangman, Heather Bambrick, plus a Molly Johnson/Jane Bunnett team-up that’s sure to be a jaw-dropper.
June 24 to July 3 at various venues. ticketpro.ca or 1-888-655-9090, tojazz.com.
Ethan Eisengerg
Afrofest
Something tells us this year’s Afrofest will be more popular than ever. After all, it’s already made headlines without having yet rolled out any programming announcements.
The free annual African music and culture festival, the largest in North America, got downsized from two days to one in March. The city cited noise complaints and curfew violations as the reason. Uproar was swift and intense, and just one week later, the city announced that it had reached an agreement with Music Africa, the non-profit that runs the festival, to grant a permit for both July 9 and 10 at Woodbine Park.
All of which goes to show just how important Afrofest is to Toronto. In addition to a range of musical acts performing traditional and modern African music on three stages, there’s dance, theatre, interactive workshops, a children’s creative village and a marketplace with over 75 vendors offering foods, crafts, fashions and more.
July 9 and 10 at Woodbine Park (Coxwell and Lake Shore East). Free. afrofest.ca.
Schoolboy Q
NXNE
NXNE is changing things up. The annual music extravaganza has introduced a new video-gaming focus. Rather than use Yonge-Dundas Square to host big names like Iggy Pop or the Flaming Lips, the festival has scheduled large-scale interactive events over three days in the public square.
It’s all part of Game Land (June 16 to 18), and the intersection between music and video games is also the focus of Future Land, an interactive conference that includes a keynote speech by ATARI founder Nolan Bushnell on June 15 at Ryerson’s Ted Rogers School of Business.
In addition to Club Land shows in the bigger rooms around town (Kamasi Washington is one must-see), there are two days at Port Lands, a new lakeside outdoor site across from Sound Academy. The hip-hop-heavy June 17 lineup is a co-pro with Manifesto and includes Schoolboy Q, Ghostface Killah, Shamir, Freddie Gibbs, Daniel Caesar and more. Day two, June 18, has Father John Misty, Mother Mother, Dan Mangan, Land of Talk and Born Ruffians, among others.
June 13 to 19 at the Port Lands (Cherry and Commissioners) and various venues. Various prices and times. nxne.com, ticketfly.com.
Zach Slootsky
Drake
OVO Fest
Is Toronto getting OVO Fest this year, or two dates on Drake‘s Summer Sixteen tour, swinging through his 6ix on July 31 and August 1? It’s a little of both – the tour overlaps with the seventh annual rap fest – and those two dates sold out so fast that two more have been added in October.
Another change-up is the major upsize from the Molson Amphitheatre to the Air Canada Centre, where Drizzy will be accompanied by his recent collaborator Future, super-hot local R&B duo DVSN, Brampton rapper Roy Woods and surprise guests. Meanwhile Snoop Dogg and Wiz Khalifa‘s July 29 gig at the Molson Amphitheatre as part of The High Road tour ($28-$125) has also been tagged OVO Fest.
What hasn’t changed is that basketball tournament OVO Bounce is still in the cards, and everything goes down during Toronto Caribbean Carnival.
July 29-August 1 at the Air Canada Centre (40 Bay). $49.50-$179.50. And the Molson Amphitheatre (909 Lake Shore West). ticketmaster.ca.
Matt Williams
Prince Rama at Camp Wavelength 2015.
Camp Wavelength
Camping and music festivals are a dime a dozen, but an overnight camping and music festival right in Toronto is a whole other story.
The colourful, super-chill, interactive Camp Wavelength pulled it off last year, on Toronto Island’s Gibraltar Point, and the second edition is bound to be as much of a hoot. After all, it’s run by Wavelength, the Toronto indie music institution that’s been throwing DIY shows for 16 years.
Camp Wavelength is so intimate and local-focused that you’ll probably have friends in at least a handful of the bands. On easy-to-see outdoor stages backdropped by Lake Ontario, with wild art installations, it’s also all-ages and affordable. Last year single tickets cost $20-$35, or $75 for a three-day pass. Camping passes, which include admission, were $150. New this year is the VIP room pass (private room with shower) for the early bird price of $225.
Participating bands and artists haven’t been announced yet, but expect the best local talent and a sprinkling of come-from-aways.
August 19-21 at Artscape Gibraltar Point (Toronto Island). Various prices and times. campwavelength.com, ticketfly.com.
THE BEST OF THE REST
Lulaworld Festival Music festival with a wide array of music genres and countries including Cuba, Jamica, Cameroon, Chile, El Salvador and includes musicians Rocel Riverón, Junior Teixeria, Ola Fesca, Aquiles Baeza and many others. Various prices, see website for details. Lula Lounge, 1585 Dundas W. lulaworld.ca. Jun 1 to 11
Speak Your Peace Arts & Music Festival The Children’s Peace Theatre & Dream House Collective present live music by Devontée, Pierre Pharaoh, BEXK, Sol.Dust, Haviah Mighty and others, an art exhibition, film, food and an afterparty. Fri & Sat 3-11 pm. Free. Children’s Peace Theatre, 305 Dawes. childrenspeacetheatre.org. Jun 3 to 4
Summer Of Soca & Reggae Festival Two-day outdoor music festival featuring Elephant Man, Kes the Band, Lyrikal, Lindo P, Whitebwoy, Spex, Dr Jay and many others. Gates 1 pm. $55-$270. Wild Water Kingdom, 7855 Finch E (Brampton). 647-292-1976, sosfestinc.com. Jun 4 to 5
Muhtadi International Drumming Festival Celebration of the drum and its universality as an art form with many performers, a market place and more. Free. Jun 4 & 5. Woodbine Park, Coxwell & Lake Shore E. muhtadidrumfest.com. Jun 4 to 5
Call It Anything Festival Five straight nights of hardcore punk music and art. D-Beatstro, 1292 Bloor W, and other venues. Jun 14 to 18
Indigenous Art festival Celebration of traditional and contemporary music, dance, theatre, storytelling, literature, crafts and food by Indigenous artists. Music by blues rocker Derek Miller, Hip-hop artists Drezus and Supaman, singer/songwriter Leela Filday and toerhs, art-making and more. $5, Sat free, children under 12 free. Fort York, 250 Fort York Blvd. 416-392-6907, toronto.ca/fortyork. Jun 16 to 19
No Fest Music festival. $12, weekend pass $20. The Garrison, 1197 Dundas W. nofest.ca. Jun 17 to 18
The Edwards Summer Music Series: Gardens Of Song Free outdoor concerts surrounded by beautiful gardens. 7 pm. Jun 23-Aug 25. Toronto Botanical Garden, 777 Lawrence E. 416-397-1341, torontobotanicalgarden.ca. Jun 23 to Aug 25
Oh Canada! Live music and fireworks to celebrate Canada’s birthday. Sharon & Bram and Nomadic Massive on Friday, Cowboy Junkies, Dawn Pemberton, Chloe Charles on Saturday, Okavango African Orchestra on Sunday. Free. Harbourfront Centre, 235 Queens Quay W. harbourfrontcentre.com. Jul 1 to 3
Sound Travels Festival of sound art with indoor and outdoor performances, installations, workshops, a symposium and more. See website for details. Canadian Music Centre, 20 St Joseph. naisa.ca/sound-travels. Jul 1 to Aug 13
Digital Dreams: Above & Beyond, Armin Van Buuren, Axwell A Ingrosso, Bassnectar, Borgore, Danny Tenaglia, Knife Party, Pendulum, Umek, Tiga, Hannah Wants, Damian Lazarus, Seven Lions and others at this outdoor festival. Gates 2 pm. Two-day pass $150, VIP pass $260. The Flats at Ontario Place, 955 Lake Shore W. digitaldreamsfestival.ca. Jul 2 to 3
Beaches International Jazz Festival Outdoor music festival featuring Beaches Jazz Salsa Festival Jul 2-3, Sounds of Leslieville & Riverside Jul 8-10, Main Stage and Kew Gardens shows Jul 15-17, Taste of Jazz Jul 19-20 and the StreetFest Jul 21-23. Main Stage artists include Melanie Durrant, Ghost Town Blues Band, Yani Borrell and others. In the park, along Queen East and other area venues. Free. Woodbine Park, Coxwell & Lake Shore E. beachesjazz.com. Jul 2 to 24
Future Routes World music festival blending traditional roots music and far-out sounds, with performances by Os Tropies and Orlando Julius and the Afro Soundz, the Chak de Bhangra Dance Competition and more. Most events free. Harbourfront Centre, 235 Queens Quay W. harbourfrontcentre.com. Jul 8 to 10
Ontario Latin Arts Festival Music, dance, food, art and culture, featuring Cassava Latin Band, Mariachi Fuego, 219 Dance Group, Giovanni Ruiz, Ruben Vazquez Trio, Samba Toronto, Pablo Gutierrez, Sentir Venezuela and many others. Friday & Sun at North York Civic Centre, Saturday in the Square. Fri ticketed, Sat-Sun free. Mel Lastman Square, 5100 Yonge. ontariolatinartsfestival.com. Jul 8 to 10
Salsa on St. Clair Street Festival Music by Gente de Zona, The Imbayakunas, Rice & Mango, Samba Squad, El Sol de Cuba and others, plus dance performances by Caliente Entertainment and Sentir Venezuela, dance lessons, food, vendors and kids’ activities. Free. St Clair West, between Christie and Winona. salsaintoronto.com. Jul 9 to 10
Toronto Summer Music Festival: London Calling! Concerts focused of the vast musical traditions of Great Britain from the Baroque to the 20th century pop Brit invasion with Canadian and international classical artists. Pwyc, free and ticketed shows at Heliconian Hall (35 Hazelton), lectures, masterclasses, artist interviews at Edward Johnson Bldg (80 Queen’s Pk) and more. Koerner Hall, 273 Bloor W. torontosummermusic.com. Jul 14 to Aug 7
Unity Festival Festival of visual art, spoken word, breakdancing, beatboxing by Toronto youth and international artists. Concerts, artist discussions, dance exhibitions and a visual art showcase. Performances by DJ Dopey, Paul Chin, Re.Verse, Erik Flowchild, Faduma Mohammed, Nye The Glitch and Amalia. All-day free concert Jul 23 at Yonge-Dundas Square with DAM Funk, Zaki Ibrahim, The Soul Motivators and others. Super Wonder Gallery, 876 Bloor W. unitycharity.com/unity-festival. Jul 20 to 23
Island Soul Enjoy the artistic traditions, forms, innovative expressions and vibrant lifestyles of the Caribbean, with dance workshops, music and more. Performances by Exco Levi and T-Vice and others, screening of the doc Queen Nanny: Legenday Maroon Chieftainess and more. Most events free. Harbourfront Centre, 35 Queens Quay W. 416-973-4000, harbourfrontcentre.com. Jul 29-Aug 1
Veld Festival The Chainsmokers, Deadmau5, DVBBS, Flume, KYGO, Martin Garrix, Steve Aoki, Travis Scott, Attlas, Duke Dumont, Galantis, Excision, Hucci and others. Gates 11 am, all ages. Downsview Park, 35 Carl Hall. veldmusicfestival.com. Jul 30 to 31
Beats, Breaks & Culture: The Bridge Live music, DJs and dance to celebrate hip-hop and electronic music. Performances by Jungle Brothers (jazz/hip-hop/house fusion), Sinkane (post-rock/free jazz/Afrofuturistic), Dirty B-Sides (experimental hip-hop) and others. Free. Harbourfront Centre, 235 Queens Quay W. harbourfrontcentre.com. Aug 5 to 7
Canadian National Exhibition The Ex, featuring bandshell concerts including Randy Bachman, Jefferson Starship, The Trews, Dean Brody and others, Stark Trek: 50 Artists, 50 Years art exhibit, innovation garage, waterfront show, the midway, rides, food trucks and much more. $15-$18, passes $40-$52. Exhibition Place, 200 Princes’ Blvd. theex.com. Aug 19 to Sep 5
Doom Over T.O. Music Festival Music by local and international acts, including Low Orbit, Mars Red Sky, Horse Lung, Foghound, NLP, Muffler Crunch, Castle and many others. Partial proceeds to the Down Syndrome Society of Canada and the Toronto Scott Mission, plus a food bank drive. Kickoff party free, $15/day, 3-day wristband $25. Smiling Buddha, 961 College. facebook.com/events/880731285406014. Aug 25 to 27
Get more concert listings here and don’t miss the rest of the Hot Summer Guide!
music@nowtoronto.com
