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Music

The other CMW

If you’re a music fan in Toronto, you likely already know that Canadian Music Week gets under way today.

CMW (or is it CMF?) takes over many of the city’s venues until Sunday (March 13), but if you aren’t enticed enough by the festival’s lineup (which somehow includes both Papa Roach and Good Charlotte as headliners) to shell out for a wristband, there’s still plenty of live music to catch this weekend in Toronto.

We’ll be previewing some of the more enticing CMW bands over the next week, but if you’re looking for an alternative here are some good options.

Sonic Boom In-Stores

Toronto’s record stores have done a good job positioning themselves as unofficial festival venues over the last few years, but this year Sonic Boom ups the ante in a big way. On Thursday, Friday and Saturday the shop will roll out free (with a non-perishable food donation) all-day lineups for its downstairs stage, each stacked enough to rival the most consistent CMW bills. It’s too much to list everything here, but be sure to catch Dinosaur Bones on Thursday, J Mascis on Friday and Karkwa on Saturday. Check out the Facebook event page for the full lineup.

Analogue Gallery

Newish rock and roll photography studio Analogue Gallery (673 Queen West) is also getting in on the action this year, with a two-day series of free all ages CMW sessions. Thursday is all acoustic with sets by Julian Lee, Akira Alemany and Maylee Todd, while Friday’s electric bill includes Mainsail, Modernboys Moderngirls and Whale Tooth.

“Vinyl” Art In Curation Party

AUX TV is teaming up The Bonus Track to present an tribute to vinyl, both as a material for recorded music and visual art. The party, Friday at the Baitshop (358 Dufferin), includes music from Freedom or Death, Babe and Put The Rifle Down (a band that includes NOW writer Jordan Bimm) and live video accompaniment from artist Dawn Grant.

Double Double Land

Pat Jordache, Silly Kissers and Sean Nicholas Savage are three of the more compelling, yet strange, Montreal acts playing this weekend. They each have their own CMW showcase, but you can catch them all together at Kensington Market art/event space Double Double Land (209 Augusta) on Friday for five bucks, with in between DJ sets from hometown rapper Cadence Weapon.

Wake For The White Stripes

Never had a chance to say goodbye to your favourite blues-rock duo? Head to Toronto Underground Cinema (186 Spadina) on Saturday night to see some prime local talent, including Ruby Coast and Foxes in Fiction, playing White Stripes cover all night. The $10 cover also includes a screening of Under Great White Northern Lights, an acclaimed concert film that sees The White Stripes play in every Canadian province and territory.

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