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Music

This week’s must-see Toronto Shows: Travis Scott, Grimes, K-Os, Hey Rosetta! And More

DJ Starting from Scratch

Everyone has friends who celebrate their “birthday week” with a hectic schedule of events. If you’re a long-time member of the Toronto hip-hop community, chances are Montreal-born, Toronto-raised DJ Starting from Scratch (aka Mark Gagnon) is that friend this week.

The veteran spinner, who has toured with comedian Russell Peters and R&B star Usher, marks a quarter-century in the business with four events including a concert and a comedy roast (plus brunch at Brassaii on Sunday when’s the mani-pedi?). The various lineups include Peters, singers Melanie Fiona and Jully Black, DJs Jazzy Jeff, Skratch Bastid and Walshy Fire and rappers Kardinal Offishall, k-os, Maestro Fresh Wes, Choclair and Saukrates, among many others.

Gagnon’s first big break was at age 18 when he was asked to fill in as DJ at a Naughty by Nature show. He went on to work with Offishall, Kanye West, John Legend and New Kids on the Block. If you’ve never heard him spin, tune in to Virgin Radio – he plays twice a day and on Saturday nights.

The Show: A Night Celebrating The Artists, Tattoo (567 Queen West), Thursday (November 19), doors 7 pm, $25 The Party: A Night Celebrating The Clubs, Sound Academy (11 Polson), Friday (November 20), doors 8 pm, $25 The Roast and after-party, the Phoenix (410 Sherbourne), doors 7 pm, $50 (for both), $25 for after-party only. inktickets.com.


KING CRIMSON Queen Elizabeth Theatre (190 Princes’ Blvd), Thursday-Saturday (November 19-21) See preview.

YONATAN GAT, SURINAM, KAPPA CHOW Silver Dollar (486 Spadina), Thursday (November 19) Monotonix founder returns.

NIGHT OWL FESTIVAL w/ Christian Bland and the Revelators, Tess Parks, Saffron Sect, Night Beats, Mexican Slang, L.A. Witch, Hooded Fang and others Adelaide Hall (250 Adelaide West), Friday (November 20) Horseshoe (370 Queen West), Saturday (November 21) See preview.

K-OS, SAUL WILLIAMS Danforth Music Hall (147 Danforth), Friday (November 20) Eclectic MC plays hometown show.

MICACHU & THE SHAPES, JOYFULTALK The Garrison (1197 Dundas West), Friday (November 20) Avant-pop from London.

HEY ROSETTA!, YUKON BLONDE Massey Hall (178 Victoria), Friday (November 20) Straight outta St. John’s.

GREEN VELVET, JUSTIN JAY, CHRIS LARSEN, BABY JOEL Coda (794 Bathurst), Friday (November 20) House music with a sense of humour.

BEN GUNNING, BERNICE Burdock (1184 Bloor West), Saturday (November 21) See preview.

GRIMES, NICOLE DOLLANGANGER Danforth Music Hall (147 Danforth), Sunday (November 22) Avril Lavigne on MDMA. See last week’s cover story.

BEACH SLANG The Cave (529 Bloor West), Monday (November 23) Emo-punk from Philly.

RACISM, POWER & PRIVILEGE 101 Music Gallery (197 John), Tuesday (November 24) Indie artists talk racism in music.

GANG SIGNS Drake Hotel (1150 Queen West), Wednesday (November 25) Van City dance duo.

TRAVIS SCOTT Sound Academy (11 Polson), Wednesday (November 25) Early all-ages show and late show.

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