North by Northeast is underway and hundreds of bands are rolling into town over the next five days and will be clamouring for our attention, some deserving, some not, and some just weird enough to make it worthwhile. In addition, the Toronto Jazz Festival and Luminato are offering an array of music that is literally almost too much to comprehend in its wonderment. To make your life easier, here are a bunch of shows that will not disappoint.
Friday, June 19
Jungle Love: The Toronto Jazz Festival kicks off tonight with a number of blow-out shows, but they one we're keeping our eyes on is a free concert by Morris Day and The Time at 6:30 p.m., Nathan Phillips Square outdoor stage. Morris Day is, of course, famous for his appearance as Prince's nemesis in the movie Purple Rain, which featured his big hit “Jungle Love.” This will be good.
Return of the Mothership: Following Morris Day's performance, the good vibes will continue outside city hall as George Clinton along with Parliament Funkadelic will unite the Toronto nation under one groove. This is a rare opportunity to see some of the most accomplished R&B musicians on the planet. And, it's free! But admission is by wristband only, and the lineup began today at 4 p.m. at Nathan Phillips Square.
It's the buzz: Missed the Sex Pistols? Never caught on with The Clash? Now is your chance to catch a bona fide punk rock band from the Manchester music scene of the ’70s, and the Phoenix Concert Theatre is a great venue for The Buzzcocks.
My generation: The abandoned Hearn Generating Station in the Portlands serves as a suitably dark and mysterious setting for one of the Luminato Festival's most intriguing events, Unsound Toronto. With roots in the cellar clubs of Krakow, Poland, this unique event combines experimental and electronic music with light and art shows designed to make use of the engaging atmosphere inside the Hearn. Artists include Ben Frost, Helena Hauff and many more.
Saturday, June 20
Brill Bruisers: Indie rock stalwarts The New Pornographers headline NXNE’s lineup at Yonge Dundas Square on Saturday night, but there are a number of interesting and enjoyable acts ahead of them including Best Coast and Little Scream making for a long and seriously cool night of live music.
Hub capper: Luminato’s New Canadian Music Series at the Festival Hub in David Pecault Square features two incredible musicians Saturday night: Kinnie Starr and Steph Cameron. Starr is a seriously engaging and dynamic performer who is best listened to live, and the same can be said for Steph Cameron, a folkie from the West Coast with a great voice and a whizbang guitar style. Oh, and it’s free. It’s almost too good.
Sunday, June 21
Heart to heart: The Great Heart Festival, an unplugged daytime music series, continues in Trinity Bellwoods Park this afternoon (it runs June 18-21). The Sunday afternoon schedule features a number of gems including the righteous Petra Glynt at 4:30 p.m. and Akron, Ohio's Shivering Timbers at 5 p.m. plus a special surprise guest at 6 p.m. It might be Neil Young (but probably not).
Sun rise: Although NXNE winds down on Sunday, there are still a couple of good shows including a matinee at the venerable Horseshoe Tavern featuring two great Toronto bands: Sun K and one of the city’s best live bands, The Sadies. Much merriment to be had.
