Before I get into talking about the music festival that will be taking over the city starting tomorrow, I’d like to point you in the direction of a great show. Its tonight and its Foreign Born and Free Energy at the El Mocambo. The formers’ recent album topped my best of 2009 list and I’ve been itching to see them live. The latter, a real force to be reckoned with in 2010. We recently tipped them in a Virgin.com post about the band. The notice is kind of last minute, but if you’re on the fence, fall this way.
Canadian Music Fest, March 10 14, 2010, features over 700 new local and international artists showcased in 45 venues in Torontos city centre. The festival now includes shows on wednesday night, with a few happening on sunday. Here’s my quick picks and best bets. (check the schedule for specific times and locations)
Wednesday, March 10th:
Best bets are the Eye Showcase (at the Roosevelt Room with Styrofoam Ones, DVAS, Parallels, CFCF) or Jason Collett’s Bonfire Ball (Revue) (at Lee’s featuring Jason Collett, Zeus and Bahamas).
I’m also looking forward to seeing Pick A Piper, who are promising three additional guest drummers as well as a show stopping finale. I’m currently spinning their new track Hallam Progress and see lots of potential in this band.
[audio:http://www.cronyrecords.com/pickapiper/Pick_a_Piper-hallam_progress.mp3]
Also, I’m interested to see LA’sFamily of the Year, who I’ve written about previously. They’ve just released an EP today called ‘Through The Trees’ which is streaming at their homepage.
Thursday, March 11th:
Best Bets are the Audio Blood Showcase (at the El Mo featuring Leif Vollebekk, We Are The City, The Darcys, Clothes Make The Man, Make Your Exit, Sandman Viper Command. Download their mixtape), Chart (at the Shoe featuring Magneta Lane, Amos the Transparent, Green Go, Hollerado, The Besnard Lakes, Great Bloomers, Arietta), or theWindish agency Showcase (at Lee’s featuring New Look, Speech Debelle, Neon Indian, Little Dragon, Rich Aucoin).
At some point, I’m going to try and jump to the Drake for Forest City Lovers and/or Hooded Fang, or track down The Rest andTimber Timbre.
Friday, March 12th:
You probably couldn’t go wrong heading to either the Horseshoe, El Mocambo or Lee’s Palace. I’ll be jumping around between the Paquin Showcase (forLadies of the Canyon andBrasstronaut), Sirius Showcase for the Handsome Furs,
the Chromewaves/Billions showcase (for The Acorn, Plants and Animals, Think About Life), The Postdata show at The Music Gallery (with Julie Fader, Brian Borcherdt).
Also, Phantogram is playing at Supermarket.
The Indie Awards have a solid lineup (The Rural Alberta Advantage, Great Lake Swimmers, The Constantines) and so does the Chart showcase (Yukon Blonde, The Beauties, The Balconies).
Only one destination for me, Wrongbar for Memoryhouse with labelmates Million Young.
Make sure you check schedules for the instores happening at Criminal.
Plus, don’t forget to check these other Toronto bloggers for their picks for the festival.