Rolling Stones
You never know if this might be your final opportunity to see the Rolling Stones, which makes it easy to justify spending half your rent or car payment on an arena ticket. That’s one reason, and Jagger’s stage presence. The Stones love Toronto and Toronto loves them. Bucket-list time. Air Canada Centre. June 6, 8 pm. $166.50-$624.50. TM.
Smokey Robinson
The 27th annual Toronto Jazz (and multi-genre) Festival brings a host of powerhouses downtown for 10 days (June 20-29), including Willie Nelson, Steve Martin and Mavis Staples. But it’s hard to top R&B legend and king of Motown Smokey Robinson, who plays a free, all-ages, al-fresco show at Nathan Phillips Square with Martha Reeve and the Vandellas June 21 at 8 pm. Free. tojaxx.com.
The National at NXNE
Of all the Brooklyn indie rock bands, Matt Berninger and his four bandmates (five, if you count his signature baritone) reign. They sell out stadiums worldwide, their new album, Trouble Will Find Me, is drenched in critical drool, and they’re playing a free North By Northeast show at Yonge-Dundas Square June 14, 9:30 pm. You’re welcome. See NXNE preview, page 10. nxne.com.
D’Angelo
Few artists have released so little material (just two solo albums), disappeared for such long stretches (12 years, between 2000 and 2012) and still maintained icon status. But neo-soul pioneer and bona fide sex symbol D’Angelo has kept us captivated. His forthcoming album has been in the works since 2001, and he’s got a handful of dates in May and June, including a stop at the Sound Academy May 31. Has someone found his smile again? Doors 8 pm. $72.50-$92.50. PDR, RT, SS, TF, UE.
Toronto Urban Roots Fest
Don’t expect Questlove to show up: the “urban” in Toronto Urban Roots Festival refers to the fact that it’s not your ma and pa’s folk fest. Refreshing: a roots festival with a lineup that sticks (mostly) on-brand. Los Angeles (She & Him), Melbourne (the Cat Empire), New Jersey (Yo La Tengo), Philly (Kurt Vile) and of course Toronto (the Sadies, the Wooden Sky) all represent, July 4 to 7. Fort York Garrison Commons, gates 5 pm (July 4-5), 11 am (July 6-7). Four-day pass $150, single day $40-$60, VIP $140-$350. TF.
Justin Timberlake & Jay-Z
Last time we saw Jay-Z, he was with bestie and co-king Kanye West throwing down five encores of Ninjas In Paris. This time he brings Justin Timberlake, whom we haven’t seen in concert since 2007, to the Legends Of The Summer stadium tour. The pair have enough smash hits in their respective repertoires for (we’re hoping) hours of entertainment – and collective swag in spades. Rogers Centre. July 17, 8 pm. $39.50-$275. LN.
Art Department at Digital Dreams
As the world EDM movement pulses on, Toronto keeps in psychedelic dance step. Last year marked the first Digital Dreams electronic festival in downtown T.O. Even better headliners – Dubfire, Tiesto and Wolfgang Gartner – take over the DJ decks at the Flats at Molson Canadian Amphitheatre this time, June 29 and 30. Feeling patriotic? Catch Richie Hawtin, Art Department or Nitin. It’s Canada Day weekend, after all. $149-$249 two-day festival pass. TM, digitaldreamsfest.ca.
Björk
A discography that spans 34 years, a penchant for discovering extraordinary raw talent (including an Inuit throat singer), a spokeswoman for geographical independence, Björk, Iceland’s premier artist, is much more than a swan dress. Seeing her July 16 (doors 6 pm) should prove as much live art installation as marquee concert, in as natural a setting as Toronto can muster: Echo Beach at the Molson Canadian Amphitheatre. All ages. $64-$85. LN, RT, SS.
Rob Zombie at the Mayhem Festival
Providing something a little stronger amid a summer of the xx’s, Grizzly Bears and Fun.s, the Mayhem Festival showcases metal (heavy, black and death) bands including Five Finger Death Punch and Children of Bodom on July 10. Now an acclaimed filmmaker, Rob Zombie is back with this year’s Venomous Rat Regeneration Vendor album and a headlining gig. Molson Amphitheatre. 1:10 pm, $20-$95. TM, rockstarmayhemfest.com.
Beyoncé
No one, ever, can be ready for all this jelly. Feminist, mogul and now mother, Sasha Fierce runs the world and brings her halo to the ACC on July 21. She’s rumoured to be pregnant again, but don’t expect that to stop one of the world’s best show-women. LN.
