You know what they say: when it rains it pours. Turns out, when it snows it pours too because the Toronto December concerts are plentiful. Unfortunately this means you’re going to have to brave the cold for some big highlights heading to town. Here’s what to look out for to end your 2015.
Car Seat Headrest @ Silver Dollar Room
Tuesday, December 1
$13.50 | 19+
After recently signing to Matador, this former one-man bedroom band finally gets out on the road. Luckily, his tour itinerary includes a drive to Toronto. (… A drive. Get it? Because of the band name?)
Tanya Tagaq & Owen Pallett @ Massey Hall
Tuesday, December 1
$18.94 – $29.50 | all ages
If you ever wanted to see two Polaris Prize winners for the price of one, then boy-oh-boy are you going to have a big checkmark for your bucket list. Massey Hall once again hosts an incredible show with lots of Canadian talent in a beautiful venue.
Wolf Alice & Brave Shores @ Phoenix Concert Theatre
Friday, December 4
$20.00 – $25.00 | 19+
If you ask me, it seems like Wolf Alice may have never actually left Toronto having just played here in October. In my mind, they wandered our city’s fair streets until someone convinced them it might be time for another show. I’m not complaining as I quite enjoyed their last appearance at Adelaide Hall. They’re back and playing a show for 102.1 The Edge’s Jingle Bell Concert Series.
Parquet Courts @ Lee’s Palace
Wednesday, December 9
$18.50 | 19+
To close out last year, SPIN named Parquet Courts as their “Band of the Year”. We’ll see if the designation will hold true for 2015, too. I’m excited for this show but also admittedly terrified of getting in this band’s way. What’s rock music without a little fear, though?
The Arcs @ Massey Hall
Thursday, December 10
$39.50 – $59.50 | all ages
Finally, a chance to tell Dan Auerbach how much you really miss The Black Keys. I mean – they’re still making music and played shows this summer, making your nostalgia for his other band kind of unwarranted. So… maybe you should just go and enjoy this project instead.
U.S. Girls @ The Hoxton
Thursday, December 10
$3.00 with RSVP, $10.00 without | 19+
As part of Red Bull’s excellent Sound Select series, the extremely talented Meg Remy (aka U.S. Girls) plays the extremely less-than-great Hoxton. Thankfully, 2015’s Half Free is a great enough album to forgive the choice of venue.
Joanna Newsom @ Queen Elizabeth Theatre
Monday, December 14
sold out | all ages
There’s going to be so much harp playing you won’t know what to do with yourself except smile up at the sky and thank all the angels for giving us Joanna Newsom.
JoJo @ Mod Club
Tuesday, December 15
sold out | all ages
Admittedly my knowledge of JoJo’s body of work is limited to seminal mid-2000’s hits like “Leave (Get Out)” and “Too Little Too Late”. She’ll obviously end up playing more than those songs when she gets to the Mod Club, but my teenage karaoke dreams may finally come true for this one.
Future @ Sound Academy
Tuesday, December 15
sold out | all ages
HEY DRAKE, SEE YOU THERE!
Half Moon Run @ Mod Club
Thursday, December 17
sold out | 19+
Montreal’s Half Moon Run bring 2015’s Sun Leads Me On to the Mod Club. Having seen them a handful of times now (including their first Toronto headlining show at the Horseshoe), I can pretty much guarantee it’ll be worth your time. But now for the tricky part: finding tickets.
Stars @ Phoenix Concert Theatre
Thursday, December 17 | Friday, December 18 | Saturday, December 19
$30.00 | all ages
It’s not hard to see Stars play a show. I’ve already seen them three times this year, and that’s with me being like: “I’m going to take it easy on Stars’ shows for 2015, guys.” Still, their three-night stint at the Phoenix is going to be a must for anyone that a) hates it when bands try to play new music and b) grew up with their terrific 2004 album Set Yourself On Fire. They’ll be playing the album in full.
Dwayne Gretzky @ Danforth Music Hall
Thursday, December 31
$20.00 – $45.00 | 19+
Take the stress out of New Year’s Eve planning and just go see Toronto’s best cover band. It’ll be fun and they’ll play songs you and your friends can drunkenly belt out as you usher in 2016 the right way.
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Hibernation is for the weak; enjoy your December, Toronto!
