Whether you’re a musician who appreciates seeing professional bands to admire their craft, or a music lover who simply loves to rock out in the front row, Toronto is a pretty amazing place to soak in some of the best live music in the world. Whether you like the breezy rhythms of steel drums during Caribana, the heavy beats of Drake’s OVO fest, or the indie rock strumming on the festival stage at the Fort York common’s, Toronto’s summer concert lineup has something that will put a smile on your face.
many people actually move to Toronto to pursue a career in music, in the same way that people move to Toronto to work in film and television or in the publishing industry. Our city is a mosaic of many different cultures and artistic styles; as a result, it has one of the most vibrant, varied music communities in the world. As an up and coming musician, you could take in many different styles: electronic dance music, Ethiopian jazz, Samba, indie rock, the list goes on and on. If you simply want to enjoy music, it’s a feast for the ears; if you have ambitions to become a musician yourself, it can be downright inspirational.
To get you fired up, we’ll list just a few varied musical events that are coming to Toronto this summer below:
Radiohead at the ACC: For many rock fans, Radiohead is their proverbial white whale. The band doesn’t tour all that often, and when they do, tickets get snapped up pretty quickly. Radiohead’s eclectic discography is well loved by savants and casual listeners alike, half the audience will likely be made up of people who play in indie rock bands themselves and consider their music “experimental.”
Tottenham Bluegrass Fest: For those who are curious about traditional string music, one of the best bluegrass festivals in North America is just a short drive north of the city, in the tiny town of Tottenham. The price tag for this fest ($125 for the weekend) makes it a great option, plus its kid friendly and the quality of the musicianship is unrivaled. While the main stage features traditional bluegrass bands that may seem a bit tame to some, this year’s festival will include a side-stage with innovative musicians and rockin’ late night sets.
Drake: This summer, Drake will be touring with the hot Atlanta trio, Migos, on the heels of their sophomore album. If you’re a fan of rap music, then nothing beats the elaborate stage production of a Drake show. He always brings a special energy to his hometown performances, so even though the price of admission is high, it might just be worth it!
If you feel inspired by all the music in “the 6”, you might take music lessons this summer and start your own musical project, whether it’s just for fun or because you want to perform in arenas and conquer the airwaves. with looping pedals, drum machines and computer programs, creating music in your living room has never been easier, and in Toronto, the musical capital of Canada, there’s plenty of opportunity for fans and performers.