This Week in Music rounds up the latest news, releases and concerts coming to Toronto.
IN THE NEWS
Toronto Urban Roots Festival lineup continues to grow
Initially announced at the end of February, the Toronto Urban Roots Festival (TURF) is continuing to roll out its lineup of artists - and it's pretty stellar. The festival will take place over four nights and two full days from July 4-7 at Fort York, and it's shaping up to be one of the events of the summer. Check out this lineup: Belle & Sebastian, Yo La Tengo, Flogging Molly, Arkells, The Sadies, The Joel Plaskett Emergency, The Skydiggers, The Hold Steady, Fitz & The Tantrums, and many others. More artists are expected to be announced today (March 25), and early bird tickets go on sale tomorrow. The all-in festival pass gives you full access to the grounds for the duration of the event for the low price of $125.00.
American Nightmare (Give Up the Ghost) cryptically announce Toronto gig
Fans of hardcore punk will be pretty damn pleased about this one. American Nightmare (formerly Give Up the Ghost, and prior to that, American Nightmare), officially reunited in 2011 for a handful of shows in the U.S. They haven't played any shows in Toronto since reforming - until now, that is. The band's Wesley Eisold recently posted a cryptic photo to Instagram that bears two dates: 6/6/13 and 6/8/13, along with the caption "Chi/Tor." While no further details were given, this seems to confirm that the band will be playing two shows in Chicago and Toronto. More information is sure to come, and we'll keep you posted as it emerges.
THIS WEEK'S HOT TICKETS
WEDNESDAY MARCH 27 / ELECTRIC SIX / HORSESHOE TAVERN / 368 QUEEN W / $23.50 / 19+
Since arriving on the scene back in 1999, Detroit sextet Electric Six has made a career out of making music that can't be easily classified. It's essentially a blending of several genres, including rock, disco, metal, New Wave, synth-pop, and more. Their latest album, released last October, was a live compilation entitled Absolute Pleasure, and their last studio album, Heartbeats and Brainwaves, was released the previous October. Arguably, though, the band has yet to top their breakthrough 2003 single "Danger! High Voltage." You can probably expect to hear that one at this show.
SATURDAY MARCH 30 / SIGUR ROS / AIR CANADA CENTRE / 40 BAY / $52.25 - $82.25 / ALL AGES
One of the great regrets of my life is the fact that I have yet to see Sigur Rόs live. I've been in love with this Icelandic trio since first hearing their groundbreaking 1999 album Agaetis Byrjun, and while opportunities to see the band have present themselves, I've never been able to make it happen. So, if you happen to have tickets to this show, you're definitely in for a treat - this is some of the most astounding music you'll ever hear ("Staralfur" and "Untitled No. 4" brings tears to my eyes to this day).
RECENTLY ANNOUNCED CONCERTS
- KE$HA&PITBULL / MOLSON AMPHITHEATRE / JUNE 5 / 7PM
- MATCHBOX 20&GOO GOO DOLLS / MOLSON AMPHITHEATRE / JUNE 27 / 7PM
- THE EAGLES / AIR CANADA CENTRE / JULY 11/ 8PM
- WEEZER&PASSION PIT / DOWNSVIEW PARK / JULY 12 / 5PM
WHAT WE GOT UP TO LAST WEEK
- How the Darcys went from catastrophe to indie stardom
- New in Toronto Music: Twist, The Hopeful Monster, Sue Newberry and the Law, Shotgun Jimmie, Grounders
- Get to know a DJ: 7777777 Life Support
- Andy Stott gets dark and danceable at Foundry
- 7 free shows and events at Canadian Music Week 2013
Photo of Electric Six courtest of kata rokkar on Flickr.