April is here and music festival season is getting under way! Instead of my usual top ten shows to check out, I have made a list that includes highlights of two big festivals happening this month and a few select other shows.
Kazoo Fest in Guelph
April 5th-8th, 2017
Various Prices
Taking place in multiple venues in Guelph, this festival might be the true breeding ground for the best Canadian indie music as past performers have included Diamond Rings, Katie Stelmanis (Austra), Rich Aucoin, Tasseomancy, Catl., Evening Hymns, Cadence Weapon, METZ, Tops, Army Girls, Doldrums, Jennifer Castle, Odonis Odonis, Destroyer, DIANA, Chad Vangaalen and more.
This year they have some recognizable names like Casper Skulls, Constantines, Han Han w/ HATAW, Jessy Lanza, Weaves and U.S. Girls. The list of performers is much higher and looking in a few years this might be a real turning point as the fest grows bigger and bigger each year.
For more details check out Kazoo Fest’s site.
Tinariwen @ Massey Hall
April 12th, 2017
$29.50-$69.50 | 19+
In the past few years African blues has become quite popular in the West with bands like Songhoy Blues and Bombino appearing at major multi-genre festivals. Neither of them would be making waves if it weren’t for Tinariwen paving the way. Their fusing of traditional Tuareg music mixed with western blues based guitar music is fascinating to listen to and their Massey Hall show should be a treat.
PJ Harvey @ Massey Hall
April 13th, 2017
$49.50-$79.50 | All Ages
The legendary singer/songwriter doesn’t tour very often and almost as quickly as tickets went on sale, they sold out. Having just released her very successful 11th album, The Hope Six Demolition Project, she remains as biting as ever with her skewering political commentary. If you managed to get tickets, let everyone else know how amazing it was!
Lydia Ainsworth @ The Garrison
April 26th, 2017
$13.50 | 19+
The Toronto pop super producer returns with a new album, Darling of the Afterglow, 3 years after her debut captured the indie world by storm. Ainsworth was long listed for the Polaris Prize in 2016; will she make the jump to the short list this year?
Dilly Dally @ Silver Dollar Room
April 28th, 2017
$19.50 | 19+
So you’re probably sad that the Silver Dollar Room is closing (or not, while we all have memories of it, it wasn’t exactly Kool Haus) but it seems like everyone from the DIY community is lining up to bid farewell. The venue will still be apart of this year’s Canadian Music Week (more on that in a bit) but there will be a few special last shows like hardcore rockers Dilly Dally who will surely get the crowd moshing hopefully not demo-ing it before its time.
METZ @ Silver Dollar Room
April 30th, 2017
$20.00-$22.00| 19+
To go along with Dilly Dally, post punk noise guys METZ will probably crank up the distortion so high the El Mocambo will get noise complaints despite not even being reopened yet. Will the band play new material as it has been a long painful 2 years of our ears not ringing from their music.
Canadian Music Week Highlights
April 18th-22nd, 2017
The festival that always changes when it occurs is back with shows ranging from the best indie, upcoming artists, awards shows and tours they got to slap their branding on for PR purposes! Live in Limbo will be covering them in full force again this year so look for, below is a list of cool shows you should check out!
For all shows check out their listings HERE.
– Charlotte Day Wilson @ Mod Club April 19th and 20th
– The Indies @ The Phoenix Concert Theatre with Hollerado, 54-40, Repartee and more April 19th
– Sonicbirds Showcase @ Revival with Run Coyote April 19th
– Tasseomancy, Han Han and Yamantaka//Sonic Titan @ Garrison April 19th
– Marlon Chaplin @ Supermarket April 19th
– Tim Darcy, Omhouse, The Luyas @ Baby G April 20th
– Matt Mays, Kasador @ Lee’s Palace April 20th
– Whitehorse, Tanya Tagaq, NQ Arbuckle @ The Phoenix Concert Theatre April 20th
– Wolf Parade @ Great Hall on April 21st
– Infected Mushroom @ The Phoenix Concert Theatre April 21st
– Ria Mae @ Adeliade Hall April 21st
– iHeartRadio Fest @ Rebel with Big Sean, Magic!, The Strumbellas and more April 21st
– Sumo Cyco @ Bovine Sex Club April 21st
– Weaves and Casper Skulls @ Lee’s Palace April 22nd
– Melissa Etheridge @ Danforth Music Hall April 22nd
– Allie X @ Mod Club April 22nd
– Earl Sweatshirt @ The Phoenix Concert Theatre April 22nd
– Julian Taylor Band and Birds of Bellwoods @ Horseshoe April 22nd
– Explosions in the Sky @ Rebel April 23rd
