This Week in Music rounds up the latest news, releases and concerts coming to Toronto.
IN THE NEWS
Wavelength Music Festival announces expanded lineup
This Thursday, Feb. 14th, the Wavelength Music Festival: THIRTEEN gets underway. The show's lineup, which includes Doldrums, Do Make Say Think, Cookie Duster, Lullabye Arkestra, and many more, was announced back in January. This past week, the show's organizers announced a series of all-ages in-store events. These events will include live performances, interviews, and talks, taking place at several independent music shops across the city. The festival runs through the 17th, and it's shaping up to be an awesome little event.
Long Winter series expands into March
As Canadians, we're used to the harsh, long winters that usually run from November to April every year. The Long Winter series of shows, developed by local hardcore punk legends Fucked Up, has served as a way of combatting the winter doldrums with monthly evenings of music, art, films, readings, and more. The February show usually concludes the annual series, but this year, the band is developing a show for March. Details haven't been released yet, but it promises to be something special. The February show took place last Friday, Snowmageddon be damned, and by all accounts, a great time was had by all.
THIS WEEK'S HOT TICKETS
MONDAY FEBRUARY 11 / THE MACCABEES / THE MOD CLUB / 722 COLLEGE / $20 / 19+
English indie rockers The Maccabees will take the stage at the Mod Club tonight alongside Reputante. The band got their unusual name by supposedly opening a copy of the Bible and picking a random word. And while their name has religious connotations, lead singer Orlando Weeks maintains that the band is not religious in the least. Regardless, they have a very strong and unique sound, and the band (and this show) is more than worth your time.
SATURDAY FEBRUARY 16 / PASSION PIT / THE KOOL HAUS / 132 QUEENS QUAY E / $41.75 / ALL AGES
You've undoubtedly heard Passion Pit's massive hit single "Take a Walk," whether it was on the radio, in a commercial, on SNL, or in any number of other mediums. And while it's a very good tune (albeit very played out at this point), the band has much more (and stronger) material in their arsenal. Their 2012 album, Gossamer, is outstanding from start to finish - if you haven't checked it out yet, I highly recommend it. The tickets to this show are somewhat pricey, but Brooklyn duo Matt and Kim are also on the bill, so it's well worth it.
SUNDAY FEBRUARY 17 / BON JOVI / AIR CANADA CENTRE / 40 BAY ST / $28 - $186.50 / ALL AGES
Bon Jovi is an artist that has always divided audiences, but his longevity can't be denied. And, let's face it - the man has had a string of outrageously catchy songs throughout his career (you can't deny the glory of "Livin' on a Prayer" and "You Give Love a Bad Name"). This tour, the band's fifteenth, is in support of their twelfth studio album, What About Now, but you can expect a healthy dose of older classics, too. We'll have a review of the show posted next Monday, so be sure to check back.
RECENTLY ANNOUNCED CONCERTS
- CRYSTALYNE / TATTOO ROCK PARLOUR / MARCH 23 / 6:30 PM
- TEGO CALDERON / SOUND ACADEMY / APRIL 12 / 9:00 PM
- THE LUMINEERS / DANFORTH MUSIC HALL / MAY 2 / 8:00 PM
- THE LUMINEERS / SOUND ACADEMY / MAY 3 / 8:00 PM
- FUN. / DOWNSVIEW PARK / JULY 6 / 4:00 PM
WHAT WE GOT UP TO LAST WEEK
- Brampton band that couldn't make a comeback (sort of)
- How to enter the ether at a Toronto concert
- Tracking the birth of reggae culture in Toronto
- Telephone Explosion Records on how to stay awesome
- Spice Girls tribute band takes over the Great Hall
- Event space above SPiN hosts new night market
Photo of Fucked Up courtesy of mehan on Flickr