The top concerts in Toronto May 2014
The top concerts in Toronto in May are dominated by Canadian Music Week (CMW), which we've already done our best to fill you in on. Still, there are also tons of shows in town that don't require wristbands or frantic scheduling, from a free space soundtrack odyssey to Thy Holy Queen Lana to National Drone Day.
Before we get into the live music you can and can't afford (or plan to skip meals for, oh divine Lana supreme ruler of Kijiji scalpers), here are Toronto music's finest Craigslist's missed connections from April. Hard to surpass in its strange beauty is "Lent Difference of the Day 25 - m4ww - 27 (ACC Miley Cyrus)," which begins by admonishing "high school girls, dressed so provocatively that it would make Jezebel embarrassed" and goes on to send general love vibes to, uh, everybody who was there for the Miley singing on a hot dog thing.
Competing for most memorable Craigslist love connection is "CHER A MOMENT WITH ME - m4m (Air Canada Center)," which packs in the Cher lyrics and boldly confesses "I think you may have been with someone. You in blue. I was blue because I left without saying you are a sexy man." Sometimes you have to lean right into your vulnerability and take risks. Then, did you have a bowl cut at The Knife? Somebody misses you.
If you were a bumpin' dude at The Head and The Heart, check that link. A certain brunette with glasses from Chronologic is in demand, and if you happened to see some "eyes that matched your own" while The Cardinal Dream was on stage this month, you know what to do. Are you a girl, in a band? You're cute. There were no missed connections from the National - guess everyone's busy bein' a dad.
Here are the best live music shows you can silently fawn over strangers at in Toronto this May.
Feast In The East Anniversary / Jam Factory / May 2
Feast in the East is like one of those horrible couples - it seems like they're ringing in an anniversary all the damn time. Or did a year really pass by that fast? Jam Factory is TO's newest east end music venue, and Petra Glynt, Mmm Mmm (Sexy Merlin & Man Made Hill), Wolfcow, and New Fries are on the bill.
Canadian Music Week / May 6-10
CMW, Canada's largest music festival, brings established and hopeful musicians from around Canada and the world to Toronto. If you see someone dragging gear and looking lost this week, help them out. Read our full preview of what to see at CMW here including M.I.A. (May 3), Owen Pallett, Neko Case, Tegan & Sara, Television, and more, and check out our guide to where to hang out during the fest if you're lazy here.
Angel Olsen / Lee's Palace / May 7 / $13.50
"She's like a magical pixie folk singer. She probably sold her soul to Stevie Nicks." - the person sitting next to me at this bar. I believe it.
M for Montreal / The Garrison / May 7 / $10 or free w/ CMW badge
Okay, one CMW highlight because I miss those open input nights at Stella where you could drink and cycle through the alphabet night by night, and I'm really enjoying this book. Wavelength, M for Montreal, and CMW are getting their alliteration on and co-presenting Mozart's Sister, Mas Aya, Maicamia, Mannerisms, Moonwood, and Most People. Hey, do the letter X next.
Jerusalem In My Heart / May 9 / The Music Gallery / $15
Few artists are tapping into the kind of sound Montreal's Jerusalem In My Heart (Constellation) have captured, At The Music Gallery 16mm film projections and "light-based (de)constructions" (again, Constellation Records) will be presented along with JIMH's compelling contemporary take on traditional music from the Middle East. Steve Kado is also on the bill.
National Drone Day / May 10 / Tranzac
Born of a Twitter joke, Drone Day is about to launch as a real thing. Is there anything Weird Canada can't (won't) do? Toronto's event features Black Walls, Colin Fisher, Man Made Hill, Hoover Party, Moonwood and more (Rob Ford's post-rehab ambient proj?). Check out our very controversial list of Toronto's best drone artists. Plus this just in - Egyptrixx is throwing a huge Toronto Drone Day event too.
Lana Del Rey / Sony Centre / May 13 / sold out
The Coney Island Queen's superb vocal inflection and high drama might be lost on huge crowds, but it will never disappoint the individuals who have found a patron saint in Lana. Look for me in my Shelfies sweater and false eyelashes, and don't buy tickets from Richard Reeves. Sometimes the road gets tough and I don't know why.
Emergents IV / May 15 / The Music Gallery $12
Emergents is a great (and aptly titled) series at the Music Gallery which highlights emerging talents in experimental music. At IV, Thin Edge New Music Collective, music box musician Jason Doell (winner of the 2014 Toronto Emerging Composer Award), and Germaine Liu will perform.
UNIVERSE: A Live Soundtrack Experiment / Revue Cinema / May 15 / free
Absolutely Free, Fresh Snow, and Marcel Ramagnano will travel from here to outer space: the three will soundtrack archival film footage of the moon landing, strange vantage points in the galaxy, and even the lowly people who hang around Earth. Oh, and it's free! Like the wonder of the universe.
You've Changed Records Anniversary Show / May 22 / Horseshoe Tavern / $12
Indie country/folk bands The Weather Station, Shotgun Jimmie, Baby Eagle, Marine Dreams, and more are on the line up with "special guests" to celebration the label's fifth year. Will those guests include The Constantines celebrating the re-release of Shine A Light on You've Changed? Your guess is as good as mine.
Jessy Lanza / May 23 / The Garrisson / $12.50
Hamilton's best setter-of-moods, it won't be long before tickets to Jessy Lanza are no longer $12.50. Catch up with her in our Breakout Band feature from last year.
See also
Latest Videos
Latest Videos
Join the conversation Load comments
