EARL SWEATSHIRT
After cancelling a string of tour dates earlier this year to deal with health issues, Earl Sweatshirt is making an overdue appearance in support of his second album, I Don’t Like Shit, I Don’t Go Outside.
The L.A. rapper/producer (aka Thebe Neruda Kgositsile) is best known as a member of the bratty hip-hop crew Odd Future, though lately he seems more intent on distancing himself from the group, which is “no more,” according to ringleader Tyler, the Creator. As Earl put it in a recent interview with the Guardian: “It’s my teenage boy club that got famous that I’m trying to not be defined by.”
His murky solo material is unapologetically – even confrontationally – emotional. He treats the mic like a therapist’s couch, unpacking a host of family and personal turmoils, though he isn’t above wisecracking rhymes or going in on the commercial establishment. The show’s sold out, so fans are clearly feeling his angsty vibes.
Sunday (August 16) at the Phoenix (410 Sherbourne), doors 8 pm, all ages.
HOMESHAKE, SHEER AGONY Adelaide Hall (250 Adelaide West), Thursday (August 13) Mac DeMarco collaborator goes solo.
KEITH APE The Hoxton (69 Bathurst), Thursday (August 13) Korean rapper crosses over.
HONEY JAM SHOWCASE Mod Club (722 College), Thursday (August 13) See preview.
HIGH ON FIRE, PALLBEARER, LUCIFER, VENOMOUS MAXIMUS Opera House (735 Queen East), Thursday (August 13) American metal masters.
LIDO PIMIENTA St. James Park (120 King East), Thursday (August 13) Colombian musician plays a free gig.
ZAKI IBRAHIM Yonge-Dundas Square (1 Dundas East), Friday (August 14) One of Toronto’s best vocalists.
DESTINY 22-YEAR ANNIVERSARY PARTY w/ Andy C, Brillz, MC GQ, Bensley, Lush, Hydee, Pusher, DamnKids, Thizzo, Lukav Bassik Sound Academy (11 Polson), Friday (August 14) See preview.
SUMMERWORKS 25TH ANNIVERSARY PARTY w/ Maylee Todd, Baque de Bamba, Buck 65, Lemon Bucket Orkestra Dovercourt & Queen West, Saturday (August 15) Theatre fest throws a block party.
TIME FESTIVAL w/ Die Antwoord, Mac DeMarco, Ariel Pink, BADBADNOTGOOD, Yung Lean, Ryan Hemsworth, DIIV, Alison Wonderland, Tory Lanez, Tommy Kruise, Lobby, Elliott Vincent Jones Fort York Garrison Common (250 Fort York), Saturday (August 15) See Mac DeMarco preview.
OFFICIAL TIME FEST AFTER-PARTY w/ Prince Innocence, Elliott Vincent Jones, Harrison, Yung Bambii & others Double Double Land (209 Augusta), Saturday (August 15) After the show, it’s the after-party.
THE BOTH (AIMEE MAN & TED LEO) Mod Club (722 College), Saturday (August 15) When bad band names happen to good musicians.
THE VILETONES Phoenix Concert Theatre (410 Sherbourne), Saturday (August 15) First-generation Toronto punk.
VIC MENSA The Hoxton (69 Bathurst), Monday (August 17) Rising Chicago rapper.
