Music/Events

When: Tues., Oct. 3
Where: History, 1663 Queen St. E.
Genre: Rap
Why you should go: Lil Yatchy broke through during the “Soundcloud rapper” generation but has recently veered off from traditional rap and experimented with his sound, as seen in his latest album Let’s Start Here. He is taking risks and pushing himself as a creator. His live shows represent that shift as he blends the soul and psych-rock of his latest projects with his mosh-pit-inducing songs.

When: Wed., Oct. 4
Where: Scotiabank Arena, 40 Bay St.
Genre: R&B
Why you should go: Following the release of her second studio album SOS, SZA reached stratospheric new heights and has become one of the biggest names in music. The SOS Tour is one of the shows of the year and is a true mark of SZA’s artistry as she takes the audience on an immersive and exhilarating journey across the seas.

When: Wed., Oct. 4
Where: The Axis Club, 722 College St.
Genre: Indie Pop
Why you should go: The Irish singer-songwriter released his debut album Victory last month, which went No.1 in the U.K., and recently supported Ed Sheeran for big arena shows. He is having a huge breakthrough moment, and his show at The Axis Club will be a perfect opportunity to see a superstar in the making in a small, intimate venue.

When: Thurs., Oct 5.
Where: Drake Underground, 1150 Queen St. W.
Genre: Alternative, Indie
Why you should go: Hemlocke Springs first went viral on TikTok last year with her song Girlfriend and has already had cosigns from the likes of Steve Lacy and Grimes. The U.S. artist brings her unique style and anthems to Toronto for an intimate show at Drake Underground.

When: Fri., Oct. 6 & Sat., Oct. 7
Where: Scotiabank Arena, 40 Bay St.
Genre: Rap, R&B, Pop
Why you should go: When Toronto’s very own Drake announced a joint tour with 21 Savage, fans went into a frenzy and rushed to the internet to snap up tickets. If you were lucky enough to get tickets then you will witness an incredible show with one of the all-time greats. You never quite know what to expect from a Drake concert as, so far on this tour, he has brought out the likes of J. Cole and Travis Scott, and he will inevitably have some surprises up his sleeve for his beloved hometown crowd.

When: Sun., Oct. 8
Where: History, 1663 Queen St. E.
Genre: Rap, R&B
Why you should go: Fresh off the success of Top Boy Season 3 and her critically acclaimed album NO THANK YOU, Little Simz is a force. There is no stopping the British rapper as she embarks on a North American tour and will show, once again, why she is one of the U.K.’s best talents.

When: Mon., Oct. 9
Where: The Monarch Tavern, 12 Clinton St.
Genre: Jazz
Why you should go: Martin Loomer and his Orange Devils are back with their monthly residency at The Monarch Tavern. The band will play a two-hour-long set full of hard-swinging big band sounds from the likes of Count Basie and Earl Hines.

When: Wed., Oct. 11
Where: Bovine Sex Club, 542 Queen St. W.
Genre: Rock
Why you should go: Former bassist for The Replacements and Guns N’ Roses, Tommy Stinson embarks on a solo tour of Canada, including at his fave, the Bovine. There will be a great atmosphere in the intimate venue as Stinson takes the audience on a journey through his career, including music from the latest Cowboys in the Campfire album, Wronger.

When: Thurs., Oct. 12
Where: Rebel, 11 Polson St.
Genre: Electronic, R&B
Why you should go: James Blake is touring in support of his September release Playing Robots Into Heaven. The British artist, who has collaborated with the likes of Travis Scott, ASAP Rocky, Beyonce and Kendrick Lamar, brings his DJ/electronic background to the forefront when performing live, which inevitably leads to unpredictability and excitement on the night.

When: Fri., Oct. 13
Where: Scotiabank Arena, 40 Bay St.
Genre: R&B
Why you should go: This is somewhat of a homecoming event for Oshawa’s Daniel Caesar as he headlines a huge arena show, supported by Moses Sumney, Charlotte Day Wilson and BADBADNOTGOOD. Caesar is known for his incredible vocals and this translates perfectly to live performances. Not reliant on special effects, he simply lets the music do the talking.

When: Sat., Oct. 14
Where: Concert Hall, 888 Yonge St.
Genre: Indie rock
Why you should go: We’re promised “An Evening with” from veteran Toronto indie darlings Metric, so expect a deep dive into their impressive catalogue. All in the new, old venue on Yonge where Zeppelin and hundreds more once played.

When: Sat., Oct. 14
Where: Massey Hall, 178 Victoria St.
Genre: Alternative
Why you should go: Australia’s veteran performer Nick Cave delivers incredible live performances that are versatile and commanding, taking the audience on a journey through his 40-year career that can be at times fun and emotional.

When: Sun., Oct. 15
Where: The Garrison, 1197 Dundas St. W.
Genre: R&B, Soul
Why you should go: The Dutch-Sudanese rising star will bring her R&B ballads to the stage for an intimate show at The Garrison, where fans can enjoy her silky-smooth vocals.

When: Thurs., Oct. 19
Where: Drake Underground, 1150 Queen St. W.
Genre: Rap
Why you should go: The rising star comes to Toronto for a show that fuses her Jamaican heritage with her L.A. upbringing. The rapper, who started on Soundcloud, is an exciting talent and is expected to break through to bigger stages soon.

When: Sat., Oct. 21
Where: The Opera House, 735 Queen St. E.
Genre: Alternative Rock
Why you should go: The British rockers, led by Rob Damiani, are known for their infectious stage presence and high-octane energy. Don Broco will have fans jumping, moshing and singing along to hits like Gumshield and Pretty during a memorable night.

When: Sun., Oct. 22
Where: Scotiabank Arena, 40 Bay St.
Genre: Pop
Why you should go: Canadian icon Shania Twain brings her Queen of Me Tour to Toronto for a huge arena show. There is one thing we know and that is that the Man! I Feel Like a Woman! hitmaker always puts on a show to remember, full of special effects, fashion and unmistakable stage presence. These are a few of the reasons why she has remained at the top for so many years and shows no sign of slowing down.

When: Tue., Oct. 24
Where: Scotiabank Arena, 40 Bay St.
Genre: R&B
Why you should go: The former YouTuber decided to pursue a career in music in 2017 and hasn’t looked back since. His live shows can be only described as a fever dream; they blend the beautiful with the surreal as you can never quite expect whether he will perform a skit or a beautiful melody — either way, it is unpredictably thrilling.

When: Thurs., Oct. 26
Where: Scotiabank Arena, 40 Bay St.
Genre: R&B, Rap
Why you should go: Both as lead singer of The Fugees and as a solo artist, Lauryn Hill is responsible for some of the best hip hop in the ’90s — perhaps none better than her seminal album The Miseducation of Lauryn Hill. The iconic artist will celebrate the 25th anniversary of this album and shall also reunite with co-headliners The Fugees in what promises to be a historic night in Toronto.

When: Thurs., Oct. 26 & Fri., Oct. 27
Where: Massey Hall, 178 Victoria St.
Genre: Folk, Rock
Why you should go: Arguably the greatest male singer-songwriter of all time, Bob Dylan will grace the stage for two nights at Massey Hall as part of his Rough and Rowdy Ways Tour. The tour is stripped back to basics but thrives with the bare necessities as Dylan performs predominantly newer tracks in an intimate setting. He has omitted many of his best-known tracks from his setlist on this tour, but the audience won’t feel short-changed as he puts on a show to remember.

When: Fri., Oct. 27
Where: Danforth Music Hall, 147 Danforth Ave.
Genre: Jazz
Why you should go: Following the release of her critically acclaimed album Bewitched, Laufey is hoping to cast a spell on the Toronto crowd with her stunning vocals and theatrical performance.

When: Sat., Oct. 28
Where: Koerner Hall, 273 Bloor St. W.
Genre: Gospel, soul R&B
Why you should go: One of the greatest singers of her generation, the iconic soul/gospel/R&B pioneer returns to Koerner Hall. The is a civil rights icon, a multiple Grammy Award winner, a chart-topping soul/gospel/R&B pioneer with her family group The Staple Singers, a member of both the Blues Hall of Fame and the Rock & Roll Hall of Fame, a National Arts Awards Lifetime Achievement recipient, and a Kennedy Center honoree.

When: Sun, Oct. 29, two shows 3 and 8 pm
Where: Massey Hall, 178 Victoria St.
Genre: Country-infused rock
Why you should go: Bahamas’ main man Afie Jurvanen is working hard to pretend to be everyone’s dad, but his heartfelt, smart tracks heavily influenced by Nashville recording sessions for his excellent new, Bootcut have freshened this troubadour’s sound. And there’s even a matinee for “the kids.”

When: Sun., Nov. 5
Where: Scotiabank Arena, 40 Bay St.
Genre: Rock, Pop
Why you should go: Following the untimely death of Depeche Mode’s co-founder Andy “Fletch” Fletcher last year, the surviving members of the band set out on the Memento Mori tour. The tour returns after a spring stop in the city and is a reminder to live life to the fullest and with the multitude of hits that the ’80s pop stars have at their disposal, the show will inevitably have a celebratory feeling that mirrors this.

When: Mon., Nov. 6
Where: The Horseshoe Tavern, 370 Queen St. W.
Genre: Rock
Why you should go: The rockers kickstart their North American tour with a date at the ’Shoe. We Are Scientists are made to be heard live, with an emphasis on catchy melodies and beats that will be enhanced in a buzzing crowd.

When: Thurs., Nov. 9
Where: Scotiabank Arena, 40 Bay St.
Genre: Afrobeats
Why you should go: Wizkid was one of the first Afrobeats artists to break through to the mainstream and has collaborated with Justin Bieber, Beyonce and Drake. The Nigerian artist continues to break down barriers and push Afrobeats to new heights on a global scale, and this arena show is a testament to that legacy. He brings an infectious energy to all of his performances as he commands the stage like it’s his own living room.

When: Tue, Nov. 14 – Thurs., Nov. 16
Where: Scotiabank Arena, 40 Bay St.
Genre: Rock
Why you should go: We don’t need to tell you why you should go see The Boss. Springsteen’s classic hits, legacy and incredible stage presence speak for themselves, and even after so many years, he’s still one of the hottest tickets in town.