It seems like just yesterday I was doling out the virtues of September, but I suppose time flies when you’re going to shows. Hopefully you had a nice month and found yourself in front of a couple of bands – but before we dwell too much on the past, let’s move on and talk about October (and all the things to get excited about) instead.
ALBUMS
One of my favourite albums of the year finally gets /officially released, a pop star will undoubtedly get everyone talking, and one of the best rap duos currently in the game release a highly-anticipated follow-up. In other words: good things, good things.
Caribou – Our Love (Oct. 7, 2014)
Label: Merge
Genre: Electronic, experimental
For fans of: The xx, Jungle, Metronomy
Why you should care: Okay, so this album’s been unofficially floating around for some time. If you’ve already streamed and/or gotten your hands on a copy, you know how great Dan Snaith’s fourth album under the Caribou moniker is. If you haven’t heard it yet, you’re in for a treat – it’s one that’s destined for heavy rotation.
Listen to: Silver
Flying Lotus – You’re Dead! (Oct. 7, 2014)
Label: Warp
Genre: Electronic, jazz
For fans of: Thundercat, Shlohmo, BADBADNOTGOOD
Why you should care: There’s no doubt FlyLo knows how to make a beat. He also knows how to throw in unexpected, abstract sounds and on You’re Dead – his fifth studio album – his jazz inflections are set to take a much more prominent space.
Listen to: Coronus, the Terminator
Jessie Ware – Tough Love (Oct. 21, 2014)
Label: PMR, Island, Interscope
Genre: Soul, pop
For fans of: Banks, Solange, Sam Smith
Why you should care: Jessie Ware puts out the awaited follow-up to her critically acclaimed debut, Devotion. Reception of the singles so far has already placed her latest firmly in the “stunning” category and writing help from the likes of Miguel, Ed Sheeran, and Dev Hynes can’t hurt either.
Listen to: Tough Love
Taylor Swift – 1989 (Oct. 27, 2014)
Label: Big Machine
Genre: Pop, country
For fans of: If you don’t know who Taylor Swift is by now, I’m pretty sure you don’t listen to music
Why you should care: Taylor Swift writes a catchy tune, god dammit. I’m not even a T. Swizzle fan (is that what they call her?) and I can admit that. Listen to 1989 before you hear its inevitable singles on heavy rotation across the airwaves.
Listen to: Shake It Off
Run The Jewels – RTJ2 (Oct. 28, 2014)
Label: Mass Appeal
Genre: Rap, hip hop
For fans of: Danny Brown, Chance the Rapper, Pusha T
Why you should care: Killer Mike and El-P are fantastic. Their 2013 self-titled debut was fantastic. They also put on a fantastic live show. In other words, all signs point to continued levels of fantastic.
Listen to: Oh My Darling Don’t Cry
CONCERTS
Get ready for a lot of late nights. There’s tons of stuff on deck for October; so much so you’re going to wish you had a time and/or cloning machine. Below, find 10 of the must-sees – and believe/forgive me when I say there were a lot of other options that were just narrowly edged out.
Beach House @ Lee’s Palace – Oct. 3 & 4, 2014
Tickets: sold out
Genre: Dream pop, lo-fi
Why you should go: After releasing four acclaimed albums, the duo behind Beach House disappeared for a little while. Their back-to-back sold out shows at Lee’s Palace is their first in the city since 2012 and it will be nice to see an intimate return.
Listen to: Myth
Perfume Genius @ The Mod Club – Oct. 4, 2014
Tickets: $15.00
Genre: Ambient, experimental
Why you should go: Mike Hadreas’ latest album under the Perfume Genius name is a strong one and he turned his fair share of heads opening for Sigur Rós back in 2012.
Listen to: Queen
Nas @ Queen Elizabeth Theatre – Oct. 8 (x2), 2014
Tickets: $75.00 – $97.25
Genre: Hip hop, rap
Why you should go: Nas’ Time is Illmatic tour sees the iconic rapper celebrating the 20th anniversary of his full-length debut. He’ll do the entire album in full – twice! – with an early and late show at the Queen Elizabeth Theatre.
Listen to: N.Y. State of Mind
Damien Rice @ Danforth Music Hall – Oct. 14, 2014
Tickets: sold out
Genre: Acoustic, folk
Why you should go: It’s been what… eight years since Damien Rice last toured? With his long-awaited third album set for release later in the month, no wonder why tickets to this show were snapped up faster than you could hit refresh.
Listen to: I Don’t Want To Change You
Royal Blood @ Lee’s Palace – Oct. 14, 2014
Tickets: sold out
Genre: Rock, garage rock
Why you should go: Talk about buzz, Batman. The English duo has been blowing up the press on the other side of the Atlantic. So far it looks like their success at home is translating pretty well over here, too.
Listen to: Little Monster
Courtney Barnett and San Fermin @ Lee’s Palace – Oct. 25, 2014
Tickets: $17.00
Genre: Folk, rock
Why you should go: This is just a great double bill of artists who put on blissful live shows. Point of fact: I’ve already seen both of them this year and I’m still going back for a second (or, in Courtney Barnett’s case, third) helping.
Listen to: San Fermin – Sonsick
Dream Serenade Benefit with Feist, Matt Berninger + Aaron Dessner of The National, Sarah Harmer, Hayden, Jason Collett, and more @ Massey Hall – Oct. 25, 2014
Tickets: $50 – $200
Genre: Indie, acoustic
Why you should go: Curated by Toronto’s own Hayden Desser, this benefit doesn’t just boast a great lineup – it’s also all for a good cause, benefitting children with developmental disabilities.
Listen to: The National – I Need My Girl
Slowdive @ Danforth Music Hall – Oct. 28 , 2014
Tickets: sold out
Genre: Shoegaze, dream pop
Why you should go: Did someone say reunion? After a 19-year break, the beloved English band is back on tour. It’ll be a sentimental (and much bigger) performance given their last show in Toronto was also their last as a band.
Listen to: Alison
RAC @ Danforth Music Hall – Oct. 30, 2014
Tickets: $20.00
Genre: Electronic
Why you should go: It’ll be interesting to see just how RAC translates Strangers live, given its collaborative nature with guests on the new album ranging from Tokyo Police Club to St. Lucia, Tegan and Sara, and Kele.
Listen to: Let Go
Alice Cooper @ Centre Square in Kitchener – Oct. 31, 2014
Tickets: sold out
Genre: Hard rock, metal
Why you should go: Is there a better way to spend Halloween than with the absolute spectacle that is Alice Cooper? Short answer: nope.
Listen to: Poison
OTHER STUFF
- Festival season is just about done, but if you still need to fill the empty void in your heart – good news! Indie Week runs Oct. 15-19, while TWiM Fest goes Oct. 23-26.
- 102.1 The Edge’s CASBY Awards will be given out on Oct. 23 at a ceremony that includes performances by the Arkells and Tokyo Police Club. Head here for more information, to vote, and for your all-important chance to win tickets.
I inevitably missed something, right? Right. Let me know what you’re looking forward to in October in the comments below or, if public speaking isn’t really your thing, send me an email about it at sarah@liveinlimbo.com. Have a great October!
