This Week in Music rounds up the latest news, releases and concerts coming to Toronto.
IN THE NEWS
Richard Reed Parry Brings Classical Music Project to Toronto
Richard Reed Parry, the Arcade Fire' absurdly talented multi-instrumentalist, launched a classical solo project last year called Music for Heart and Breath. The project has received rave reviews, and it was announced last week that on March 1, it'll stop off in Toronto at Academy of Lions General Store on Ossington. Parry's arrangements will be played the Music in the Barns Chamber Ensemble, who will also perform selections from Scott Godin's "All That is Solid Melts into the Air for String Quartet" and Rose Bolton's "The Coming of Sobs for Quartet". Tickets are a steal at $10 - if you're a classical music fan, or interested in seeing what Parry is capable of outside of Arcade Fire, you should definitely check this one out.
Timberlake and Jay-Z Kick off Summer Tour in Toronto
In what will undoubtedly be on the biggest shows to hit Toronto this summer, Justin Timberlake and Jay-Z will kick off their North American tour, known as "Legends of the Summer," with a show at the Rogers Centre on July 17. Ok, it's not the best concert venue in the city - in fact, I'd personally call it the worst - but for a show of this size and two performers of this caliber, it's really the only place big enough. And regardless of how you feel about the music of Timberlake and Jigga, the two have an absolutely massive fanbase that will undoubtedly come out to this show in droves. Tickets go on sale on Feb. 28, but you can sign up for early access here.
THIS WEEK'S HOT TICKETS
WEDNESDAY FEBRUARY 27 / IMAGINE DRAGONS / SOUND ACADEMY / 11 POLSON / $25 - $40 / ALL AGES
Las Vegas indie rockers Imagine Dragons are one of the biggest bands out there right now, and they'll be bringing their Night Visions Tour, in support of their debut album of the same name, to the Sound Academy. If you're an avid listener of 102.1 The Edge, you'll know that the station is a huge fan of these guys - indeed, they play their stuff almost hourly (and, some might say, way too much). But the band has a very listenable sound, and by all accounts is quite good live. Atlas Genius will offer support.
FRIDAY MARCH 1 / THE DEFTONES / THE KOOL HAUS / 132 QUEENS QUAY E / $48.25 / ALL AGES
This show gets my highest recommendation, and if you've ever had the pleasure of seeing the Deftones live, you know why. The Sacramento alt-rockers are currently touring in support of their 2012 album, Koi No Yokan, which was released in November. I didn't think it was one of the band's better efforts, but it's still a very listenable album. And besides, you can expect to hear some of the band's older, stronger material at this show.
RECENTLY ANNOUNCED CONCERTS
- SERENA RYDER / THE DANFORTH MUSIC HALL / APRIL 11 / 8PM
- PURITY RING / THE DANFORTH MUSIC HALL / MAY 5 / 8PM
- THE SKYDIGGERS / HUGH'S ROOM / JUNE 7 / 8PM
- THE POSTAL SERVICE / AIR CANADA CENTRE / JUNE 11 / 8:30PM
- CRYSTAL FIGHTERS / THE HOXTON / JUNE 15 / 7PM
WHAT WE GOT UP TO LAST WEEK
- Solange is near-perfect at the Danforth Music Hall
- Trust kick-off North American tour at Lee's Palace
- New in Toronto Music: Njacko Backo, Magneta Lane, Pick a Piper, Tarantula X, Tru Lyrikks
- Wavelength 13 Night Four: Cookie Duster, The Magic, Dusted, Henri Faberge and the Adorables, Legato Vipers, Cell Memory and Castle If
- Meet the techno-wizards behind Bon Jovi's new tour
Photo of Deftones courtesy of laviddichterman on Flickr