The definitive guide to music performances, live shows, concerts, festivals and industry events in your city. Appear in this directory for free or book a spot. “Weekly Stories” Updated Thursdays.

WEEKLY STORIES

January

The 2025 GRAMMY Awards

The 2025 GRAMMY Awards saw Beyoncé take home her first award for album of the year, Kendrick Lamar win multiple awards, Chappell Roan receive the best new artist award, and Alicia Keys honoured with the Dr. Dre Global Impact Award, with performances by a host of artists including Yolanda Adams, Joe Bonamassa, Wayne Brady, Deborah Cox, Joyce DiDonato, Béla Fleck, Renée Fleming, Scott Hoying, Angelique Kidjo, Muni Long, Kelli O’Hara, Kevin Puts and Taj Mahal. Presented live Feb. 2 from the Cripto.com Arena in Los Angeles, the show was hosted by comedian, author and former host of The Daily Show, Trevor Noah. The GRAMMYs broke records with the biggest audience for a TV program on social media, even surpassing the Super Bowl. They also raised around US$9 million in donations on GRAMMY Sunday, increasing the total amount raised to US$24 million for Los Angeles wildfire relief efforts over GRAMMY weekend.

Cult of Venus Tour — Toronto/US

Cult of Venus releases the song Algorithm from the EP of the same name on V-Day. Appropriately so, since Venus is the goddess of love in Roman mythology. Lyrics to the song are a commentary on the lure of social media and the codes designed to capture our attention, track us and predict our every move. The artist describes this practice of surveillance as violent and abusive, a way of patrolling people’s thoughts. Cult of Venus is currently on a full U.S. tour as the main support to CHVRCHES’ Lauren Mayberry, and opening for City of The Sun. Consisting of 24 stops, the tour runs from Jan. 28-March 2, hitting San Diego, Buffalo, Chicago, Nashville, arriving in Canada for one show at Toronto’s Concert Hall (February 7), Houston, Dallas, Austin (Feb. 24-26), Phoenix (Feb. 28), with the final show in LA at the Belasco.

MusicCares Person of the Year

On Jan. 31, Don Was served as the musical director during the MusiCares Person of the Year gathering, honouring The Grateful Dead at the Los Angeles Convention Center.

February

KUUMBA: Toronto’s Largest and Longest-running Black Futures Festival

KUUMBA has become a highly anticipated annual event in Toronto. The festival is one of the largest events to celebrate the creativity and artistic expression of Toronto’s Black community. It is also one of the longest-running Black cultural events of its kind in the city, marking 30 years of presenting multidisciplinary programming, including music, theatre, dance and spoken word performances. This year, the festival honours the Black journey to liberation and focuses on healing through the arts. The program features a tribute concert by JUNO Award-winning artist Jay Douglas and the All Stars on what would have been Bob Marley’s 80th birthday, as well as a two-day Breaking Canada’s Rock Harder Competition, and a series of wellness workshops hosted by The Black Daddies Club. KUUMBA takes place throughout the entire month of February at Harbourfront Centre during Black History Month.

Renowned Classical Musician Joins NY Music School

Cuban-American cellist Tommy Mesa will join the School’s Strings faculty at the Manhattan School of Music this fall.

Nashville’s Newest Entertainment Venue: Show Pony

Icon Entertainment & Hospitality held the grand opening of their latest venture Show Pony (121 3rd Avenue S., Nashville) on Feb. 5 with an evening of live music, interactive games, an appearance from Mayor Freddie O’Connell and a burlesque performance from the Nashville Cabaret, a mainstay starting in March. Icon’s founder Bill Miller has now opened 10 of Nashville’s premier entertainment venues. The real estate development and hospitality CEO’s company owns and operates some of the most popular establishments in Nashville – including the Johnny Cash Museum, Patsy Cline Museum, Nudie’s Honky Tonk, House of Cards, Sinatra Bar & Lounge and Skull’s Rainbow Room, the Southern Turf Club and East Nashville’s bar Schulman’s, and country music star Tanya Tucker’s Tequila Cantina that recently opened on Broadway in New York.

Bob Marley’s 80th Earthstrong Celebration — Jamaica/UK/US/Livestream

Earthstrong will culminate in an ‘Uprising’ Tribute Concert livestream from the family’s Tuff Gong Studios in Kingston, Jamaica, and features a long list of Jamaican entertainers including Mortimer, Bugle, Kumar Fyah, Naomi Cowan, Quan Dajai, Kelly Shane, and Alexx A-Game, several of whom were featured in the Bob Marley: One Love movie. Other highlights will be a countdown of the best live performances from past birthdays, stand-alone performances paying tribute, a showcase of the ongoing impact of his charitable organization, and the Bob Marley Foundation, Feb. 6 on Tuff Gong TV’s official YouTube channel. This year, over 250,000 children from Young Voices UK and Young Voices USA taking part in a sing-along with countless others worldwide, promising a moment of unity and joy, spreading Bob Marley’s message of love and peace to new generations. 

First Authorized Film on Led Zeppelin Released

Becoming Led Zeppelin explores the origins of the group and their rise to the top of the rock pile in just one year. The film includes never-before-seen behind-the-scenes footage, performances and music, which still sends hair-raising tingles from the arms to way, way down inside. Take a peek (trailer) at Bernard MacMahon’s cinematic journey into Led Zeppelin’s creative, musical and personal origin story in the first officially sanctioned film about the band. There is an exclusive pre-screening today (Feb. 6 at the Scotiabank Theatre, Toronto) but the film opens in cities across Canada on Feb. 7.

British Band INHALER Tour and Album Release – Europe, North America

INHALER releases their new album Open Wide via Geffen Records. Recorded at RAK Studios in London and produced by the GRAMMY and Brit Award-winning Kid Harpoon, Open Wide is the Dublin guitar band’s third album. Bandmates (Eli Hewson, Robert Keating, Ryan McMahon and Josh Jenkinson) gear up for the first night of the 11-date UK and Ireland leg of the tour in Leeds. The Open Wide tour includes two sold-out shows at London’s Brixton Academy on Feb. 13-14, followed by the 20,000-capacity St Anne’s Park in Dublin on May 30. The North American leg of the Open Wide World tour kicks off Feb. 28 in Toronto (HISTORY), March 2 in Montreal (MTELUS ) before heading to the U.S. 

Rapper Rob49 Opens a Club in New Orleans

New Orleans’ own Rob49 brought the city to life with the soft opening of his night lounge, The Nest Nola (1906 Magazine St., New Orleans). The exclusive event drew a star-studded crowd including Quavo, B.G. of the Hot Boys, Lil Baby, and Fredo Bang, all coming together to celebrate ahead of the big game on Sunday. The energy was electric day and night as guests partied in celebration of Rob49’s recently released, sexually-charged single, On Sight. The musician is gearing up to drop more new music this year.

Haunted Mouths, Not Like Sleeping with Sirens

Musician Kellin Quinn of Sleeping with Sirens releases his debut album, A Collection of Greetings via his solo project Haunted Mouths. The music defies expectations, sounding nothing like the screaming lyrics, fast guitars and thunderous rolling drums usually emitted by Sleeping with Sirens. Instead, Haunted Mouths presents dreamy music soundscapes. The first single Further Til We Disappear from the collection is sleepy, meditative, and as grainy as the video. Produced and co-written in collaboration with Aaron Marsh (frontman of the band Copeland and long-time friend), the 10 tracks on A Collection of Greetings came together in roughly two weeks of creative production sessions. The album is set for release on Feb. 14 via Rise Records.

Singer Who Portrays Edith Piaf Releases Greatest Hits Album

French, Latin Jazz, World Music artist Raquel Bitton releases timeless classics like La Vie en Rose, Besame Mucho, Unchained Melody (Les Enchainés), and I Wish You Love (Que reste-t-il de nos amours). Accompanied by a 24-piece orchestra, Bitton breathes new life into these masterpieces that shaped her career, seamlessly blending French, Spanish and English into a mesmerizing musical journey. Produced by her and 20-time GRAMMY winner Rafa Sardina, Raquel Bitton: Greatest Hits features arrangements by Bob Holloway and Jorge Escoba. Each track is a cinematic masterpiece, rich in emotion and storytelling. Bitton personnifies French chanteuse Edith Piaf in Piaf Her Story, Her Songs, part documentary and stage performance.

Matters of the Heart: Taryn Kawaja – Halifax

Move through nuanced matters of the heart with tenderness and exquisite songwriting from Canadian singer-songwriter Taryn Kawaja. Though Kawaja has performed in Canada and Europe, many of her songs are unreleased. Her music is a unique fusion of neo-classical and folk, heightened by vivid lyrics and emotion-filled piano playing. Kawaja’s sound is described as a blend of the raw emotion of Tori Amos and the soulfulness of Amy Winehouse. The tear-inducing song Pilot draws from a slow style of African-Caribbean folk-gospel and Irish-Celtic folk tradition. You can hear influences of Sarah McLachlan, who was born and raised in Halifax, and Michael Jackson’s treble is evident in songs like Hat Trick.  I recommend booking early so years from now you can say, “I was there.” Kawaja plays in the intimate setting of The Syrup Factory, a North Halifax house that once produced cordial, on Feb. 14. Doors open at 7 p.m. 

‘Infinite Icon’ Paris Hilton

Paris Hilton releases her sophomore album, Infinite Icon, executive produced by Sia. An autobiographical record, Infinite Icon, shares Hilton’s full story, through the stages of her life from pop music, to media and to mother.

Dallas-based, ethereal indie project ‘Last Days of Heaven’

Juan Vargas, a Texas-based multi-instrumentalist, is stepping into new sonic territory with his upcoming EP, Out of Body, from Last Days of Heaven, to be released on Feb. 14. Produced entirely by Vargas and mixed by Nick Bassett (Whirr, Deafheaven), Out of Body is the product of a year of experimentation, with standout tracks like The Night Comes For You, reflecting the artist’s journey of self-discovery and creative evolution. Considering the noisy album cover, and song titles like Pain Machine and Nothing Left to Torture (the latter a collaboration with Jasper Byrne), I was expecting an audio onslaught. The release features rich, layered compositions, melodic, moody, textured and blending vocals, rhythm and bass guitars, saxophone and synths. It’s a pleasant surprise a soothing gothic escape with just enough tension to make it an exciting listen, repeatedly. 

Behind The Gallery presents: Nine Inch Nails by Jonathan Rach 

Behind The Gallery has announced that award-winning documentary photographer Jonathan Rach will debut his collection of Nine Inch Nails 1994-95 Self Destruct Tour photographs in the U.S. for the first time. The exhibition will take place at Morrison Hotel Gallery (116 Prince St., New York City) from Feb. 20-23, 2025. The first day is a private showing so the show is only on view for three days. This follows successful exhibitions in Australia (March 2024), the UK (October 2024) and Japan (November 2024), displaying the raw intensity of Nine Inch Nails’ legendary 1994-96 global tour to mark the 30th anniversary of The Downward Spiral album. The exhibition showcases over 20 powerful images from behind-the-scenes moments to career-defining performances as well as artists David Bowie, Lou Reed, and highlights from NIN’s historic six-night Hollywood Palladium run in 2018 (Feb. 21, 11 a.m.-8 p.m. and The Downward Spiral Playback 6-8 p.m.). Rach will share deeper insights into his work through stories (Feb. 22, 12:30 p.m.).

DaBaby Cares About His Community 

Hip-hop artist Jonathan “DaBaby” Kirk’s charitable work presents another side of the musician than the image we’re used to seeing in his videos. The rapper recently hosted the fourth annual Kirk Pole holiday giveback event at a high school in his hometown of Charlotte, North Carolina. He partnered with local organizations to provide essential holiday resources to the community. The event featured a live performance by the North Carolina Panthers drumline and resources from the National Alliance of Mental Illness of Charlotte. To honour his late brother, Glenn Johnson, who lost his life to suicide, the musician launched DaBaby Cares in 2024 to raise awareness and break the stigma associated with mental health challenges for young people and their families. DaBaby Cares recently announced a one-year partnership with Mental Health America of Central Carolinas at the first-ever Youth Town Hall at West Charlotte High School. Over 200 students received vital mental health information and can now access a Youth Mental Health 101 Resource Guide available to download for free online. The musician recently released digital single featuring Yung Miami called I’m a Hoe Too.

Tiakola – M3LO World Tour — Toronto

French rapper and singer Tiakola embarks on a global tour with DJs Mendosa and Sevenstyle, with a stop at The Concert Hall (888 Yonge St.) on Feb. 22.

ASAL with Marco Luka — Toronto

Enjoy ASAL with Marco Luka at Lee’s Palace (529 Bloor St. W.), a venue 40 years in the making, Feb. 22. Doors open at 8 p.m.

South Beach Wine & Food Festival 

Chef Marcus Samuelsson is hosting the inaugural Overtown Gospel Brunch at Red Rooster Overtown on Sunday, Feb. 23, as part of the South Beach Wine & Food Festival. This one-of-a-kind brunch brings together soulful live gospel music with talented chefs to celebrate the community’s rich culinary history. The lineup of chefs include Karim Bryant (Lil Greenhouse Grill), Derek Turton (World Famous House of Mac), each bringing their own twist to this celebration of culture and cuisine. Proceeds support scholarships for students from Overtown at Florida International University’s Chaplin School of Hospitality & Tourism Management.

Heather Christine’s Latin-infused Take on Cole Porter’s ‘C’est Magnifique’

Mississauga-based jazz-pop vocalist Heather Christine gives a Latin-infused take on the Cole Porter’s C’est Magnifique accompanied by the renowned Bill King Trio. With a new single, in addition to her recent EP and full-length album, Christine feels ready for the concert stage. Her next show is slated for Mississauga’s Clarke Hall on Feb. 23, with lots more to come for in 2025.

Free Union Station Concert for Black History — Toronto

TD Music at Union Station celebrates Black History Month with a free concert from JUNO winning artists Savannah Ré and Afro-bop sensation Aiza and hosted by Devo. Ré is known for her collaborations with artists like Babyface, Normani, and Wondagurl, while Aiza’s electrifying performances have been compared to icons like Janelle Monáe and Stromae. The date is Feb. 25, 4-6 p.m. at Union Station, West Wing.

Peter Dreams – Toronto

Peter Dreams plays the Axis Club with Moonriivr on Feb. 26.

Markham Jazzlicious WinterFest Boasts an Award-Winning Lineup — Ontario, Canada

Destination Markham remounts the wildly popular Markham Jazzlicious WinterFest for the third year. Building on the success of the previous two sold-out events. Whether you’re a foodie, wine lover, beer connoisseur, a lover of great music — by JUNO and GRAMMY Award-winning jazz musicians — or simply exploring local culture, Markham Jazzlicious WinterFest promises to be an exciting adventure into the culinary and musical culture of the City of Markham. This special event offers six food and music experiences from January to March in the vibrant cultural centre of Markham, just a short ride north, within the Greater Toronto Area. Alex Bird & The Jazz Mavericks performed at SMASH Kitchen & Bar, Jill Barber at Essence of Unionville, at the Hilton Toronto/Markham, and Tanika Charles at Laz Authentic Cuisine with Executive Chef and Owner Diakhia Lezama. Don’t miss GRAMMY Award winner Nicole Zuraitis who is paired with Executive Chef Bill Jewer (Draco, Toronto Marriott Markham, Feb. 26-28), the Jay Douglas All Star Band with Owner/Head Brewer Jordan Mills and Pizza Chef Jezza (Rouge River Brewing Company, March 4-8), and JUNO Award winner Bria Skonberg paired with Executive Chef Keith Pears (Pears Restaurant, March 18-22).

Emo’s Not Dead and Sixthman Cruise – U.S./Mexico

An E.N.D. (Emo’s Not Dead) alternative music cruise event will set sail from Miami to Costa Maya, Mexico on Norwegian Joy where you can relax (or not) with your favourite artists. E.N.D. comes complete with elevated dining experiences, Battle of The Frontmen, high-end casinos, The Tonight (Tonight) Show with Matt Cutshall, go-kart track, pools and waterslides and competitions at sea. Bands include The Used, Boys Like Girls, Chiodos, Hawthorne Heights, State Champs, Saosin, Taylor Acorn, Norma Jean, Emery, The Early November, Scary Kids Scaring Kids, The Spill Canvas, Lydia, Reclaim The Fallen, Your Broken Hero, Emo Social, and The Emo Band from Jan. 22-26, 2026. Presale sign up begins on Feb. 27.

Telling Stories You Often Don’t Hear in Classical Music – New York City

The Unsung Collective takes the stage with the New York Philharmonic at New York City’s largest Black church for a performance of The Unsung Symphony. Presenting Songs of Separation and Brahms’ Requiem, exploring intimacy, longing and the powerful role of women, with the GRAMMY-winning voices of J’Nai Bridges and Brittany Renee, alongside renowned opera singer Phillip K. Bullock. The Unsung Collective, a groundbreaking ensemble dedicated to celebrating people of colour in Western music, was founded by Tyrone Clinton Jr. The musician pioneered the World Trade Center’s first Juneteenth Celebration in 2021 and made his conducting debut at Lincoln Center in Search for Spring. Under his leadership, The Unsung Collective became the first predominantly Black ensemble to perform for the Mostly Mozart Festival in its 50-plus year history. The Unsung Symphony takes place on Feb. 28 at 7 p.m. (Abyssinian Baptist Church, 132 W 138th St., Harlem). Free for grade school students.

Bif Naked Tours Ontario

Bif Naked maintains a winning sense of independence and sets high standards for live shows. After releasing three singles, one of which was called Champion, from her recent album of the same name on Her Royal Majesty’s Records, Bif is taking the show on the road starting Feb. 28. Shows are booked at the Algonquin Theatre in Huntsville, Ontario followed by performances (March 5-8) at the Sanderson Centre (Brantford), the Shenkman Arts Centre (Ottawa), the Living Arts Centre (Mississauga) and the Rose Theatre (Brampton). 

March

The GLORIOUS Tour Hits Coachella — U.S.

Named after GloRilla‘s debut album, The GLORIOUS Tour kicks off on March 5 at The Criterion in Oklahoma City, with 20 dates booked in cities across the U.S. including Coachella (April 11 and 18). The album debuted at No. 5 on the Billboard 200, the highest debut week for a female rapper. Yeah Glo!, TGIF and Wanna Be featuring Megan Thee Stallion and WHATCHU KNOW ABOUT ME featuring Sexyy Red landed at various spots on the top 100. The rapper appeared as a guest judge on Rhythm + Flow Season 2 that premiered at the end of 2024 and on Saturday Night Live in January 2025 where she performed Yeah Glo!, LET HER COOK and WHATCHU KNO ABOUT ME. GloRilla also landed two GRAMMY nominations for the double platinum single Yeah Glo! in the Best Rap Song and Best Rap Performance categories. Her second Billboard top 10 song came for Tyler, The Creator‘s Sticky.

Holly Cole to Tour Japan/Canada/Germany

Vocalist Holly Cole released her 13th studio album, Dark Moon, in January and it immediately climbed the charts. Dark Moon became the No. 1 Jazz Album in Canada on both the Soundscan and iTunes Charts. Cole teamed up with her long-time live performance partners Aaron Davis (piano), George Koller (bass), Davide Direnzo (drums) and John Johnson (saxophone) along with additional musicians — Kevin Breit (guitar), Howard Levy (harmonica), two-time GRAMMY-winner and original member of Bella Fleck and the Flecktones, and the Good Lovelies singing 1950’s Nashville-style three-part harmony to create a true ensemble project that highlights her signature style. The first feature single, No Moon At All, an up-tempo song originally recorded by Peggy Lee, features a harmonica solo by Levy. Cole describes her approach in this way:

“I really wanted this album to embrace the spirit of spontaneity. At the same time a quintessential part of the sound of my music is in the arrangements. So, we did very little rehearsal in advance, and the songs were incredibly fresh for us while we were in the studio. The musicians that I play with contribute greatly to the arranging of the songs, and I wanted to hear the sound of when the light goes on for each one of us and many of the arrangements fell together as we played them. What we end up hearing on this record is the moment when we discover what we love about the song, and what its essence is for me.” – said Cole.

Cole tours Tokyo, Japan (Blue Note March 7-8, 10-11), Peterborough, Ontario (Market Hall Performance Art Centre, April 27), Montreal, Quebec (Theatre Jean Duceppe – Place des Arts, July 2), and performs at additional shows in Canada, the U.S. and Germany from the summer to late fall. 

Canada’s Queen of R&B tours the country after almost two decades

Walk of Fame inductee Jully Black, also known as “Canada’s Queen of R&B” embarks on a national tour dubbed Songs and Stories, dedicated to the memory of her late mother. “It’s been 17 years since I’ve headlined my own cross-country tour, and this time it’s different—it’s as an independent artist. What makes it even more meaningful is that it’s dedicated to my late mother Agatha.” Black has performed alongside artists like Alicia Keys, Kanye West, Elton John, Celine Dion, Black Eyed Peas, and Jesse Reyez. She has written songs for and collaborated with industry heavyweights including Nas, Destiny’s Child, Sean Paul, Missy Elliott and Ian Thornley (Big Wreck). The JUNO and Gemini Award-winner, TV (The Morning Show, CTV’s etalk) and radio host (iHeartRadio – NewsTalk 1010 The Blackout with Jully Black), and multi-platinum selling artist with song like Seven Day Fool, and DJ Play My Song, began her tour in Ontario on February 7, making her way across the country to Darke Hall in Regina, Saskatchewan (SK, March 5), Western Manitoba Centennial Auditorium in Brandon, Manitoba (MB, March 6), performing at The Park Theatre in Winnipeg, MB (March 7), The Broadway Theatre in  Saskatoon, SK (March 8), with a final stop at the Jeanne & Peter Lougheed Performing Arts Centre in Camrose, Alberta (March 11). Black’s acting ability and outstanding vocal abilities are exemplified in the video for the song I Travelled.

Kick off St. Patrick’s Day Weekend with a Rock Bash — Ontario

Experience Desire, the international U2 tribute act that’s been bringing the soul, spirit, and bravado of U2’s three decades of music to audiences across North America. Joining the stage is The Bomb, the retro ’80s live experience that celebrates the entire decade by playing all the top New Wave and atmospheric radio hits. From David Bowie to Tears for Fears, Duran Duran to Simple Minds, A-ha, INXS, The Cars, The Cure, Prince, and Depeche Mode – live. March 14, the Kingston Grand Theatre will come alive with the electrifying sounds of the ’80s at the Sham Rock Bash!

New

Popular Social Media Artist Plays Lollapalooza — Chicago

Some musicians get lots of attention on social media but their popularity doesn’t always translate elsewhere. Rachel Grae is being embraced in traditional music industry settings. The singer, who has over 1.3 million TikTok followers, and draws over 400 million Spotify streams, recently inked a deal with Virgin Music, will be performing at Lollapalooza 2025 in Grant Park this summer (July 31-Aug. 3) and just wrapped up her first U.S. sold-out headlining tour. Look for the release of a new single showcasing her effortlessly smooth vocals in a ballad called Know Better, in April.

@rachelgrae

But I do…💔 #graeoriginal #singing #foryou

♬ original sound – Rachel Grae

Melody McArthur Live – Banff, Alberta

Dynamic vocalist, songwriter and actress Melody McArthur, known for her high-energy performances, will deliver an eclectic mix of rock, country, and pop-infused originals, backed by a band featuring Ian Rossiter, Denis Frigon, Lena Daniels and Terry Johnson at the Banff Centre for the Arts and Creativity, March 21, 7:30 p.m.

New Apple TV+ series to feature music by Timbaland

Timbaland is the executive music producer on a new music-driven animated production, BE@RBRICK, to premier on Apple TV+ on March 21. The theme music for the series was written by the composers of two popular Netflix shows. Read the story.

New

Raquel and SadBoi drop their new single

Raquel, named one of the top five artists to watch by Rolling Stone Magazine UK, is a rising Canadian artist on the global music scene with her bold combination of pop, electronic, and R&B. Within a year of launching her music career she worked with artists Kofi, TVGucci, and 11:11 on her debut EP Wishing On Stars. Canadian artist/writer Ebhoni Jade Cato-O’Garro delivers her blend of R&B ballad, ragga, pop and hip-hop through her SadBoi persona. She opened for Teyanna Taylor, RicoNasty and Doja Cat in concert. SadBoi released her new EP Dzry Cry and collaborated with Cash Cobain on Jane Baby. SadBoi’s lyrics are provocative and sexually blunt. Produced by R2 and Ante O’Connor and engineered at Abstract Studios by Ante O’Connor and Derek “Mega Man” Kavanagh, the collaboration puts a unique spin on their music resulting in a hypnotic blend of R&B and hip-hop.

An Exclusive Evening with Elton John & Brandi Carlile – London, England

Fans could get a unique opportunity to spend one-night with award-winning singer-songwriter, producer Brandi Carlile, and Elton John — no introduction necessary — at The London Palladium on March 26. The two musicians will grace the stage of one of London’s most iconic venues for an evening of performance and storytelling, labelled simply, ‘An Evening With Elton John & Brandi Carlile.’ However, it seems that fans are expected to pre-order the album in order “to gain exclusive access for the chance to buy tickets.” The lead single Who Believes in Angels? was released on Feb. 5, but the forthcoming album of the same name is set for release on April 4.

Relive the Imagine Dragons Hollywood Bowl Concert – Worldwide

Imagine Dragons fans can re/experience the band’s record-breaking Hollywood Bowl residency via Imagine Dragons: Live From The Hollywood Bowl (with the LA Film Orchestra). The experience comes to cinemas worldwide on March 26 and 29. This special cinema event captures the band’s electrifying conclusion to the North American leg of their LOOM World Tour in October 2024. The nearly two-hour concert performance during the final night of a four-night residency drew over 67,000 people.

Free Union Station JUNO Nominees Concert — Toronto

The countdown to the 2025 JUNO Awards begins on March 25 at Union Station (4-6 p.m., West Wing) with nominees Preston Pablo and Luna Elle live in concert, completely free. Pablo is the JUNO Award winner for Breakthrough Artist of the Year, nominee for Pop Album of the Year, and 2025 TikTok JUNO Fan Choice this year. Elle’s blend of pop, R&B, and electronic music earned the artist a JUNO nominee for Traditional R&B/Soul Recording of the Year. 

Canada’s 2025 JUNO Awards

This year, JUNO Week runs from March 27-30. Find out where and when the JUNOS will be aired and more about the changes.

April

Secret Gardens’ Instrumental Project Release – U.S.

Secret Gardens, the guitar driven progressive rock project lead by Greg Almeida, has released the instrumental edition of The Impermanent Amber, the latest installment in the project’s seasonal editions. Crafted to provide a meaningful soundtrack to each season of life, Secret Gardens represents all four seasons: Tundra (winter), Everbloom (spring), Verão (summer), and The Impermanent Amber (autumn). In years to come people will be comparing this band to Rush. Right now, they’re being described as a fusion of Death Cab For Cutie, Explosions In The Sky, and Plini. Secret Gardens has announced the Infinite Amber Spring Tour, set to kick off this April alongside With Sails Ahead, heading to New York, New Jersey, Pennsylvania and Ohio.

Daisy The Great – Ballerina Tour — Toronto

Daisy The Great’s Ballerina Tour stops at The Garrison (1197 Dundas St. W.) with Benét on April 2.

New

Book Gives Overdue Recognition to the Brilliance that Fuelled bebop

In his new book Sax Expat: Don Byas (University Press of Mississippi, April 2025) author Con Chapman brings saxophone player Don Byas back to life, detailing  the technical brilliance and sensibilities that placed him at the centre of  jazz’s most pivotal transition.  It describes how Byas laid the groundwork for bebop’s eventual surge to the forefront in the mid-1940s, even though his legacy was somewhat overshadowed by younger musicians like Charlie Parker and Dizzy Gillespie who later became bebop icons.

Historic Lennon Performance Set for Release on Record Store Day

John Lennon’s final and only full-length solo concert after leaving the Beatles is highlighted in new four-track EP, Power To The People – Live At The One To One Concert, New York City, 1972, and is set for release on Record Store Day, April 12. Pressed on 180-gram yellow vinyl, the EP includes previously unreleased tracks from the historic “One To One” benefit concerts featuring John and Yoko/Plastic Ono Band performing with Elephant’s Memory and special guests. Produced by Sean Ono Lennon, mixed and re-engineered from the original multitrack tapes by Paul Hicks and Sam Gannon, the EP features three unreleased performances – Well Well Well, Cold Turkey, and Yoko’s Don’t Worry Kyoko (Mummy’s Only Looking For A Hand In The Snow), along with Instant Karma (We All Shine On) (Afternoon Show), which has been newly mixed. The release is limited to 3,000 copies in the U.S. and 5,500 worldwide. 

Brian Eno and U2’s 30th Anniversary Double LP Vinyl Re-release

Original Soundtracks 1, the studio album by Brian Eno and U2, released in November 1995 under the artist pseudonym Passengers, is being remastered and released on double-vinyl on Record Store Day, for its 30th anniversary. The album was written for imaginary films, which explains the title — except for three songs (Ghost in the Shell, Beyond the Clouds, and the hit single Miss Sarajevo, featuring Luciano Pavarotti). Original Soundtracks 1 featured musician and producer Howie B and Japanese artist Holi, as well as a bonus track called Bottoms (Watashitachi No Ookina Yume) from the original Japanese version of the album.

‘BLKWMN’ Singer Ledisi Tours North America

GRAMMY-winning “BLKWMN” singer Ledisi goes on tour following her Super Bowl LIX’s pre-game ceremony performance of Lift Every Voice and Sing, backed by the 125-student New Orleans High School Choral Collective. The vocalist, actress and songwriter Ledisi embarks on the Love You Too tour of North American, which kicks off in Baltimore on May 28. She’ll make one stop in Toronto on June 16 at Massey Hall with special guest Marsha Ambrosius (See more below). This is the first chance fans will get to experience Ledisi’s new music live. She will also perform separate from the tour at the Las Vegas Jazz Festival (April 26) and the New Orleans Jazz & Heritage Festival (May 3).

May

Alessia Cara Tour — Toronto

Singer-songwriter Alessia Cara singed to Def Jam records at the age of 18. Now a five-time JUNO and 2018 Best New Artist GRAMMY award winner, Cara embarks on an extensive global headline tour this spring, following the release of her fourth full-length album, Love & Hyperbole, which she says comes from a place of big feelings and deep, complicated emotions. “Before this album, I’d never written from a place of feeling content with everything happening in my life,” says Cara. Growth and introspection happens as a result of working on an album for the past three to four years, especially during the pandemic, resulting in a broader universe to write songs about. (Isn’t It) Obvious is my favourite so far. It’s written by Cara and @yakob, with additional guitar by John Mayer. And I love that the video is about art.

Cara will play several dates in the US in April before an all-ages hometown show in Toronto on May 15 at Roy Thompson Hall (60 Simcoe St.), then one in Windsor the following day.

Songstress Marsha Ambrosius Tours with Ledisi

Ten-time GRAMMY-nominee Marsha Ambrosius joins Ledisi on select dates on her Love You Too North American tour (starting May 28 with a stop in Toronto on June 16). Marsha Ambrosius has mesmerized audiences since her days as “the Songstress” with performance poetry/neo-soul group Floetry. Her latest album CASABLANCO, which fuses jazz, hip-hop, and R and B, was executive produced by Dr. Dre. See Ledisi above

June

July

Shania Twain Tours Canada and the US

Canadian singer-songwriter Shania Twain, the U.S. best-selling female country artist of all-time, celebrates her GRAMMY-winning breakthrough and second album, The Woman in Me, 30 years later. Eight of the 12 songs from the album were on Billboard‘s country singles chart. Four reached No. 1: Any Man of Mine, (If You’re Not in It for Love), I’m Outta Here!, You Win My Love and No One Needs to Know. Any Man of Mine also gave Twain her first Top 40 crossover hit. The Woman in Me spent 29 weeks atop the country albums chart and was 1995’s best-selling country album. It won a GRAMMY for Best Country Album in 1996 and later ranked No. 8 on CMT’s 40 Greatest Country Albums list. In 1996, it passed Patsy Cline’s Greatest Hits to become the best-selling album by a female country artist (a title Twain’s 1997 follow-up, Come on Over, would claim in 1999). Shania Twain tours Canada and the U.S. (July 5-Aug. 1), with shows in Calgary (AB), Toronto (ON), New York, Maine, New Hampshire, Pennsylvania and Florida.

Postmodern Jukebox — Toronto

Modo Live presents Scott Bradlee’s Postmodern Jukebox on July 23 at Massey Hall.

August

The First Band to Play Rogers Stadium

A second show was added to the North American (NA) leg of The Oasis Live ’25 world tour stop in Toronto for Aug. 24-25, 2025. Oasis is the first band scheduled to play the new 50,000-capacity open-air Rogers Stadium, the largest venue of its kind in the greater Toronto Area, this summer. But more shows could be added before Aug. 24. We’ll keep you posted.

September

Bourbon & Beyond Festival — Kentucky

Phish, Noah Kahan, The Lumineers, Jack White, Benson Boone, Alabama Shakes, Cage The Elephant, Pat Benatar & Neil Geraldo, Ringo Starr, Pixies, TV On The Radio, Foreigner, Spin Doctors and over 120 artists will perform at the Bourbon & Beyond festival this Sept. 11-14, 2025 at the Highland Festival Grounds in Louisville, KY.

October

November

December

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