The second annual Toronto Freedom Festival is happening this Saturday (May 3) in Queen's Park North, with a jam packed program including the local celebration of the tenth annual Global Marijuana March. And somewhere in the middle of all the pot revelry you'll find a lot of free music.
The "Live Free" main stage cranks up the generators at 11:30 AM with lots of local acts like live hip-hop crew , reggae collective , , , disco revivalists , instrumentalists , deadheads Gratefully Dedicated Soundsystem and the incomparable Whitey Don, as well as a surprise special guest (you'll just have to wait and see). Indie rockers from Scarboroough, recent winners of a contest at that would allow a lesser known local a chance to play the festival, will play the last set of the evening.
Sounds like a hit song to me. It's also the song title of one of the encores performed by Monday night at The Phoenix to a sold-out all-ages crowd comprised mostly of adoring teenage girls.
The song itself was a rant created after attended what she described on stage as "the worst party ever." She said she felt much better after writing and recording the song. I'm not sure the audience felt the same after hearing it.
The rest of the show was a much quieter affair, save for a few avid fans who insisted on dancing frenetically throughout the show, even to the more down-tempo songs. Perhaps most surprising was that there's such a following to this singer today.
I guess it took raw talent for Nash to rise to the top of the charts, at least in her native UK, where she was recently crowned Best British Female at this year's Brit Awards.
Since I'm not a hard-core punk or ska fan, it's a style that can be overwhelming at times. Served with too much too fast, sometimes I feel like I ate my supper too quickly. It can be a very heavy genre, and even the slower songs can have a heavier feel to them. But luckily there are bands out there who are a comfortable balance for the leery listener.
The Flatliners have found a happy medium of music I can punk-out to. They have managed to maintain the core ska/punk feel without selling out to the radio-friendly watering down feel that can happen. They're heavy without being too much. They weave between styles seamlessly and they make it work. And their MySpace page is the perfect taste of what they have to offer.
Bastid is one gifted DJ - his turntable trickery is unmatched by almost anyone. He did a great one-man show for all to see in detail on a video projection screen.
The stage was set up with hand-drawn cardboard cutouts resembling the New York City skyline and a large screen was centered right in the middle, with video being projected on to it from behind the stage. Off to the side, a second video camera was honed in on the turntables at all times.
Blurring the line between pop star and powerful man behind the scenes, Montreal techno artist has accomplished too many things to mention here. He is a world-renowned DJ, producer, remixer, songwriter and label owner who is credited with throwing the first ever rave in Canada. After a very long absence, he finally returns to Toronto with the .
There are many people in the world who know how to throw a killer party, and a lot of those people have even opened their own club to throw killer parties in. Among all his other accomplishments, Tiga also co-founded one of the best dance clubs in Canadian history back in the 90's. I sadly never made it to Sona in Montreal while Tiga was involved with the club, but I always heard great things about it.
is the type of DJ that would fill up a huge warehouse in London or Buenos Aires and play an amazing dance set for thousands of people. But here in Toronto we have a chance to check him out in a much more intimate space.
On Sunday May 4th, he will playing at in the latest installment of .
Every once in a while there comes news that stirs excitement in the music scene the world over. When I first learned that one of the biggest bands of the 90's were together again, jamming for the first time in 9 years, I was excited. When I found out that they would be embarking on an international reunion tour, as well as performances at some of the world's most celebrated music festivals (like Cochella, Glastonbury, and Summersonic) I was thrilled.
, one of the most influential and commercially successful UK alt rock bands in decades (some might argue of all time) are coming to Toronto on May 1st.
blogTO will be there, and we also want a lucky reader to win a pair of tickets to what will undoubtedly be an incredible show. Continue reading for contest entry details...
is coming to town and she is bringing all the crew with her. On Wednesday April 30th, presents Yelle at the Opera House, with and , locals , AND the official .
The first time I heard Yelle's I fell in love with it. I couldn't get the song out of my head and I knew this French girl would make it big.
has come along way since he anchored a cover band for Green Day. A gig at South by Southwest, a record deal with Sony BMG and then, last December, a version (video below) of Dream Catch Me, one of his hit singles from his debut album - - that is being released in Canada on April 29th.
The day before the album comes out, Faulkner is playing at . Tickets are $10 and available at Ticketmaster and Rotate This. BUT, we have some tickets and copies of his album to give away. Want 'em? Keep reading for the contest details.
Forget what you think you know about this local indie band. have recently changed their name, evolved (and continue to evolve) their funk/soul/disco rock sound, and now receive signals from space.
The seven-piece band do not have any new demos posted on their Myspace page yet but they do have an entertaining welcome message up, and they do have lots of new material in the works. They previewed a couple new songs for me and now I am really looking forward to seeing them live at the Horseshoe this Friday night.
In addition to Foxfire, expect a kickass rock show care of Seattle band , as well as local indie rockers and .
I asked Neil, Joe and Love from Foxfire about their sound, romanticizing Toronto, and some kind of dick fight.
You don't have to suck dick to be successful.
is the type of DJ that would fill up a huge warehouse in London or Buenos Aires and play an amazing dance set for thousands of people. But here in Toronto we have a chance to check him out in a much more intimate space. 
is coming to town and she is bringing all the crew with her. On Wednesday April 30th, presents Yelle at the Opera House, with and , locals , AND the official .