This Week in Music rounds up the latest news, releases and concerts coming to Toronto.
IN THE NEWS
Swing by the Mad Decent Block Party
Fans of EDM will be pleased about this one. Diplo's Mad Decent label has revealed the lineup for its annual Mad Decent Block Party, which will be hitting Toronto's Fort York Garrison Common on July 20. While there are a few acts yet to be announced, Major Lazer will headline, and Zeds Dead, RiFF RAFF, Grandtheft, and Thugli will offer support. More artists are expected to be announced closer to the date. Check out the party's official site for more info.
Sound in Motion Festival Returns
While we're on the topic of EDM, the Sound in Motion Festival will make its return to Toronto from July 11 to 13 at various venues across the city. The festival, which is a not-for-profit event, will present a two-room main event and several outdoor shows, in addition to panels, a short film showcase, and more. Performers confirmed for the festival thus far include Marcus Visionary, Deepchord, Kode9, Basic Soul Unit, Daniel Bell, and more. The lineup will be expanded on June 11, so expect many more names. Head over to the festival's official site for all the particulars.
THIS WEEK'S HOT TICKETS
THURSDAY MAY 9 / BLACK REBEL MOTORCYCLE CLUB / THE KOOL HAUS / 132 QUEEN QUAY E / $25 / ALL AGES
For 25 bucks, you'd be a sucker not to check out this dark trio from San Francisco. Black Rebel Motorcycle Club's music can best be described as garage rock with a hint of psychedelia infused into it. They released their seventh album, Specter at the Feast, back in March, so you can expect to hear a fair bit of new material.
SATURDAY MAY 11 / DOLDRUMS / HORSESHOE TAVERN / 370 QUEEN W / $10 ADVANCE, $12 AT THE DOOR / 19+
Feel like checking out something a little different on a Saturday night? Head on down to the Horseshoe, where Doldrums will be taking the stage. Doldrums is a project conceived by Toronto native Airick Woodhead, and his first full length album, Lesser Evil, was released back in February. He's currently on tour with Crystal Castles, but he'll be making a special stop at the Horseshoe. If you're a fan of darker music, you won't want to miss this one.
RECENTLY ANNOUNCED CONCERTS
- PS I LOVE YOU / THE DRAKE HOTEL / MAY 9 / 10PM
- THE SHEEPDOGS / THE DRAKE HOTEL / MAY 23 / 10PM
- ADRIAN LUX / THE HOXTON / JULY 6 / 10PM
- PET SHOP BOYS / SONY CENTRE FOR THE PERFORMING ARTS / SEPTEMBER 25 / 8PM
WHAT WE GOT UP TO LAST WEEK
- Titus Andronicus stir up a frenzy at Lee's Palace
- El Mocambo set to close for the summer (or longer)
- New in Toronto Music: Lights, Still Life Still, Ania Soul, 4th Pyramid, Hugs Not Drugs
- New book documents the '90s Jungle Scene in Toronto
- Toronto Concerts, May 2013
Photo of Black Rebel Motorcycle Club courtesy of The Cosmopolitan of Las Vegas on Flickr.