12 must-see concerts in Toronto this December
The top concerts in Toronto this December bring lots of local talent home for the holidays, and sprinkle in a few other artists either introducing themselves or saying goodbye. Though disparate in styles (ranging from gentle folk to the most brain-frying metal), they all offer the right soundtrack to finally close out this excruciating year.
Here are my top concert picks for December.
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Music
DateAbout the EventLocation-
December 2It's been a banner year for these Toronto noise-grunge revivalists - debut album Sore came out in late 2015, and the band has been pummelling the road, picking up more fans and accolades ever since. It looks like this hometown gig will be the last before they enter "heavy writing mode"for the next chapter.
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December 2Kicking off year five, Long Winter returns to make this season slightly more bearable via music, art and comedy. The series is ditching home base The Great Hall for a nomadic lifestyle, this month holing up at Polish Combatants' Hall. Check out sounds from Blonde Elvis, chastity, Twist and more.Polish Combatants' Hall (SPK)
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December 6If, like me, you caught this effervescent indie hip hop maven opening for Sleater-Kinney last year, you already know what a thrill her music is live. If you don't (but you like fun and positivity), now's a good time to get acquainted, as she tours new EP Coconut Oil 'round North America.
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December 7Thalia Zedek is a bit of a cult hero of underground alt-rock, forging her influence as part of the bands Live Skull, Uzi and Come. Her gritty-sounding new project, simply called E, takes over the intimate Array Space with Montreal singer-songwriter Carodiaro and found-sound musician Knurl.Array Space
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December 8More than a decade on and with a new EP in tow, indie rockers Tokyo Police Club are still so beloved by y'all that they were able to almost sell out three full nights here this month. It looks like there are still a few tickets floating around for their Mod Club residency with Shad alter-ego Your Boy Tony Braxton, but you'd better hurry.Mod Club
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December 9Balancing fierce cultural politics with infectious dance-party rhythm is no easy feat, but A Tribe Called Red have hit it right on the money with the recently released We Are the Halluci Nation. Check them out with Saul Williams at the Phoenix.The Phoenix Concert Theatre
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December 16After almost two decades of loud insanity, freak injuries and finding creative new ways to shock and divide metalheads, the New Jersey mathcore greats are calling it quits. This could very well be your last chance to see them smash stuff live.The Opera House
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December 21Days before you're scheduled to meet with relatives and have horrific arguments about politics and racism over slabs of turkey, soothe your nerves with the tranquil folk melodies of Jennifer Castle in the calming, familiar environment of the 'Shoe.
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December 31New Year's Eve concert options stay pretty static in Toronto every year (The Sadies at Horseshoe, Elliot Brood at Lee's), but this small Kensington club is one of the handful offering something different: a night of classic metal vibes. It seems 2016 is the year the world will end anyway, so you might as well go out with some music that reflects our dreadful demise. Happy holidays!Coalition: T.O
Lead photo byMatt Forsythe
Lead photo byMatt Forsythe
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