Lindi Ortega
Lindi Ortega’s last two albums, Little Red Boots (2011) and Cigarettes & Truckstops (2012), may not have made their way from the Polaris Prize long lists to the short lists, but they’ve still caused many to take note. The Toronto-born singer/songwriter – and former backup singer for the Killers’ Brandon Flowers – has a gorgeously lonesome voice that’s been compared to Dolly and Emmylou, and tunes that swing effortlessly between rock, pop and traditional country. Though she now calls Nashville home, she’s sure to get a hero’s welcome at her free Indie Fridays show at Yonge-Dundas Square. Friday (July 26), Yonge-Dundas Square, 8-10 pm. Free.
Justin Bieber, Hot Chelle Rae, Cody Simpson
Air Canada Centre (40 Bay), Thursday and Friday (July 25 and 26)
Teen-pop king comes home.
Jay Arner, Elsa, No Break Up, Brave Parents
Silver Dollar (486 Spadina), tonight (Thursday, July 25)
Perfect-for-summer dream pop.
Regent Park Courtyard Session & All-Caps! Fest Warm-up
w/ Weaves, Bizzarh, Pursuit Grooves, Bad Passion
Daniels Spectrum Courtyard (585 Dundas East), Friday (July 26)
See Bizzarh preview.
Escort, De La Soul
Exhibition Place (210 Princes’ Blvd), Friday (July 26)
Disco & hip-hop legends play the Festival Of Beer.
KISS, Shinedown
Molson Amphitheatre (909 Lake Shore West), Friday (July 26)
The rock stars’ Monster tour hits T.O.
Mad Decent Block Party
w/ Major Lazer, Zeds Dead, Riff Raff, Grandtheft, Thugli, DJ El Dusty
Fort York Garrison Common (250 Fort York), Friday (July 26)
Electronic music label’s outdoor party.
Lab Cab Festival: Parkdale
w/ Bob Wiseman, Andrea Hatala, Beams, the Gypsy Rebels and others
Queen West from Roncesvalles to Dufferin, Saturday and Sunday (July 27 and 28)
Annual multi-arts, multi-venue fest.
Girls Rock Camp Toronto showcase
Tranzac (292 Brunswick), Sunday (July 28)
Just-formed young bands play originals.
Blue Hawaii, Phèdre, Moon King
Wrongbar (1279 Queen West), Sunday (July 28)
See preview.
Smith Westerns, Wampire
Lee’s Palace (529 Bloor West), Monday (July 29)
Seventies-glam-tinged indie rock.
Steve Poltz
C’est What (67 Front East), Tuesday (July 30)
Singer/songwriter & stunning picker.
Edgefest
w/ The Lumineers, Band of Horses, Monster Truck, Mother Mother, July Talk, Wake Owl and others
Downsview Park (35 Carl Hall), Wednesday (July 31)
See July Talk preview.
