While we are stuck in a cold weather advisor there are some really hot tickets for February. Things picked up substantially after a sub-par January where I struggled to even find 10 shows I wanted to talk about. Lots of great openers too, making these shows ones you need to get to the venue early for.
Rainbow Kitten Surprise with Mt. Joy @ The Danforth Music Hall
February 4-5th, 2019
$42.00-$59.00 | All Ages
I’m mostly including this pick because Mt. Joy looks like the next big band. Their folk pop music is super fun and they should be seen live. Their pairing with Rainbow Kitten Surprise is actually a really strong double billing.
Joji @ The Velvet Underground
February 5-6th, 2019
Sold Out | All Ages
The artist formally known as Filthy Frank has actually turned himself into a legit rap star. His chilled out beats mixed with his dark lyrics are quite intoxicating like slipping into a lean coma.
Sharon Van Etten @ The Danforth Music Hall
February 11th, 2019
$37.00-$41.00 | 19 +
SVE just put out her fifth record, Remind Me Tomorrow, and she seems to be hitting a career peak. Pitchfork just gave it an 8.4 and Best New Music. She has slowly become a household name and I personally look forward to seeing her for my first time.
Walk Off The Earth @ Sony Centre
February 15th, 2019
Sold Out | All Ages
This is going to be a super emotional show, band member Mike “Beard Guy” Taylor sadly passed away back in December. The band did a tribute show to honour his legacy in January, but I’m sure every show this tour will be hard on the group. It will be interesting how fans react to his presence missing and the cloud hanging over everything. Bring a pack of tissues with you if you will be attending.
Kurt Vile & The Violators with The Sadies @ The Danforth Music Hall
February 16-17th, 2019
$50.00 | 19 +
Last LiL Coverage of Kurt Vile
The king of laid back rock quietly roared back last year with the excellent Bottle It In (it was our 34th best record of last year). He nabbed The Sadies to open for him in Toronto for what should be a wonderful night of guitar mastery.
Arkells @ Scotiabank Areana
February 16th, 2019
$43.00 + | All Ages
The Hamilton gang is back as they finally start their tour behind the Rally Cry album. While the album as a whole wasn’t as well received, it did spawn the massive hit People’s Champ. They put on a killer live show and this will be their first arena headlining show in the city. Lord Huron is opening so it should make for a great combo.
Adrianne Lenker (of Big Thief) @ Longboat Hall
February 18th, 2019
$20.00 | 19 +
Last LiL Coverage of Big Thief
Big Thief was the big indie discovery of last year with their bedroom folk rock album Capacity that touched everyone’s hearts. Not too sure what an Adrianne Lenker solo show will consist of, but she has been getting rave reviews for her stage presence so it should be a must see for Indie Heads.
Zaki Ibrahim @ The Great Hall
February 21st, 2019
$15.50 | 19 +
My favourite Canadian RnB singer put out another fantastic record last year in The Secret of the Planets, she expanded her spacey vibes. Her last record got her a Polaris nomination and I am hopeful she nabs one again this time.
Anderson .Paak @ Rebel
February 26th, 2019
Sold Out | All Ages
Everyone’s favourite rapper/drummer put out another banger of an album with Oxnard (his hometown). It came out in mid-November so it was overlooked on a lot of year-end lists. Hopefully you’ll have Tints on your BBQ playlist this summer to vibe with.
James Blake @ Sony Centre
February 27th, 2019
$55.00 + | All Ages
Blake has done it again; he put out the chilliest yet surprisingly upbeat album of the year. And it only came out last month. The record had people guessing what it would sound like with announced features from Metro Boomin, Travis Scott, Moses Sumney and Andre 3000. Everything clicked and it should be a front-runner for AOTY. The Three Stacks track Where’s The Catch? is vintage 3000 as he goes hard in the paint.
