For 11 days each summer, the buzz of concert tours, club favourites and secret performances is set aside for the Toronto International Film Festival. You might notice a dip in shows – shame, considering the 4 am extended licence. But there’s music to be found in the madness, and we’re talking more than a Hans Zimmer score (Twelve Years A Slave) or an appearance by Yasiin Bey (Life Of Crime).
Here, 10 music moments at TIFF 2013.
Down The Line: TIFF Launch Party
Local hip-hop remix masters Keys N Krates put on a hell of a live show, and the Drake’s opening-night TIFF party has them playing amidst the heavy buzz of the festival’s first weekend at a bash that also has free (real) tattoos and visual art. A surprise DJ takes the decks at midnight, and the party rocks till 4 am.
Thursday (September 5), 9 pm, Drake Hotel (1150 Queen West), $10.
Kubrick II: A Clockwork Orange Party
Last year it was The Shining. This year Toronto’s Young Lions Music Club is throwing a party themed around Kubrick’s 1971 British classic, with costumes, actors and plenty of odd dystopian flourishes. Brendan Canning is DJing, and local pop duo Weaves will perform music inspired by the film.
Friday (September 6), 10 pm, Adelaide Music Hall (250 Adelaide West), $17-$20. northerntickets.com.
Art Department @ Cinema
Such an aptly named club is almost obliged to throw festival parties. Thus, the Liberty Village hot spot hosts local electronic duo Art Department for an extended four-hour set on the festival’s second night. Jonny White and Kenny Glasgow had to relocate to Europe to make it huge but seem to faithfully return home for Toronto’s biggest events. Get there in time to see fellow electro scenesters Nitin and Sam Haze.
Friday (September 6), 10 pm, Cinema (135 Liberty), $19-$39.
All Is By My Side
André Benjamin (aka 3000) stars in the much-hyped Jimi Hendrix biopic directed by John Ridley. The emcee/multi-instrumentalist/actor plays the legendary electric guitarist before he became an icon.
Saturday (September 7), 9 pm, Visa Screening Room Sunday (September 8), 2:15 pm, Bloor Hot Docs Cinema September 14, 3 pm, Ryerson Theatre.
Metalhead
Director Ragnar Bragason helms a moving story about a girl who takes on her brother’s heavy metal persona after his premature death.
Saturday (September 7), 6:15 pm, Scotiabank 4 Monday (September 9), 4 pm, Scotiabank 8 September 13, 9 pm, Scotiabank 10.
Made In America
Director Ron Howard will be at the Lightbox to discuss his documentary about the inaugural edition of Jay Z’s Philadelphia-based music festival. As of press time, there’s some doubt about Hov’s potential appearance. Ain’t no love for the heart of this city, we suppose.
Saturday (September 7), 10:15 pm, TIFF Bell Lightbox 1.
12.12.12.
This charity concert film has performances by some of the world’s biggest music stars – the Rolling Stones, Paul McCartney, Kanye West – and behind-the-scenes action featuring some of the world’s most powerful people. Hollywood mogul Harvey Weinstein, who organized 2012’s Concert For Sandy Relief, will be on hand for a live discussion.
Sunday (September 8), 8 pm, Winter Garden Theatre.
Metallica: Through The Never
A movie about a Metallica roadie who travels to hell and back (literally). In 3D. Enough said. Nimród Antal directs. See review, page 42.
Monday (September 9), 7:30 pm, Scotiabank 12.
LICHENS + Sing Leaf
Toronto’s Wavelength Music Series partners with TIFF for a concert by drone musician LICHENS, aka Robert A.A. Lowe (star of TIFF film A Spell To Ward Off The Darkness) and local electro-folk special guests Sing Leaf.
Tuesday (September 10), doors 9 pm, the Garrison (1197 Dundas West), $12, advance $10. TF, RT, SS.
Grolsch Open House
For four days, Grolsch is taking over the parking lot at Pearl and John, a hop and skip from the Lightbox (aka TIFF headquarters). Everyone is welcome, beers are $5, and there are performances each night by musicians like Holy Family, Michael Rault, Ark Analog, Beliefs, KASHKA, Grounders, Julie Fader and others.
Friday to Monday (September 6-9), 4-11 pm (except Monday, 6-11 pm). Free.
julial@nowtoronto.com | @julialeconte
