Very early on this year, Torontoist was bold enough to predict that this may be the year of Basia Bulat. Nine months later and we may not have been very far off the mark. Ms. Bulat released her new album Oh, My Darling in Europe this past March, and has recently signed to Hardwood Records to finally (finally!) release her debut album tomorrow here in Canada. In celebration, we're giving away a pair of tickets... [continue]

What are you doing tomorrow? Have the day off and up for hitting a show? Projekt Revolution, an annual tour organized by Linkin Park featuring "revolutionary, cutting-edge talent," will be hitting the Molson Amphitheatre on Tuesday, and we have a pair of tickets to give away! The show starts just after noon and includes artists such as Linkin Park, My Chemical Romance, Taking Back Sunday, HIM, Placebo, Saosin and more. Tickets would normally range from... [continue]

Hey, so what are you up to tomorrow night? Wanna go to a concert for free? Of course you do. Texas mega-band The Polyphonic Spree are in town at the Phoenix with their 561 matching-robed band members (okay, so really about 23), in support of their third album, The Fragile Army. And we want you to be there! Courtesy of Universal Music Canada, we have one pair of tickets to give away. But that's not... [continue]

Photo by Carrie Musgrave. We could begin this week by rambling on about how we're into the second half of the year already (really?!) or tell you all about our Canada Day weekend, but let's just get straight to it this week. Go see The White Stripes on Thursday. If there's one show you go to this entire summer, this is the one. Really. We recently saw the Stripes at Bonnaroo and they were... [continue]

Photo by Carrie Musgrave. After a brief hiatus due to NxNE and Bonnaroo, Live Baby Live is back! You're excited, aren't you? Don't deny it. As always, lots of recently announced shows. Interestingly, you'll notice that all of the horse bands will be through town over the next few months. We wonder what animal trend will be next? Not only that, but The Black Lips and Bloc Party must really love Toronto, since both... [continue]

Unless you live under a rock, you know that the North by Northeast Music & Film Festival is currently underway...and if you've stayed out past two nights until almost 5 a.m. like some Torontoist staffers, you really know it's here. You'll be hard pressed to find very many other music events going on this week, since almost every venue being occupied by the festival, so we suggest you just go with it and take... [continue]

Each weekday morning, we pick a recent image from the Torontoist Flickr Pool and feature it here on the site. It's our way to give the many excellent photographers in our pool the attention they deserve! Luminato is officially upon us as of today, and eager members of our Flickr pool have already captured and uploaded some spectacular images, such as this one by Uwajedi. The interactive light show is already up and running, and... [continue]

Classic 60's-style, polka dot-wearin' girl group, The Pipettes, caused quite the commotion last time they came through town. They were definitely the buzz band of CMW, with tickets to their show at the Rivoli in high demand, particularly considering that not even media or pass holders were being granted access. The venue for that show may have been much too small, but lucky for us, someone got it right and the Brighton, UK ladies are... [continue]

Each weekday morning, we pick a recent image from the Torontoist Flickr Pool and feature it here on the site. It's our way to give the many excellent photographers in our pool the attention they deserve! As a worst nightmare to those with allergies, perhaps this photo should've been named Atchoo!? Torontoist Flickr pool contributor, Syncros captured this infrared image on his lunch break earlier this week, and it's a much more interesting take on... [continue]

Swedish garage rock band Mando Diao seem to be quite fond of making up words. First, their band name came to singer Bjorn Dixgard in a dream, then they named their recent release Ode to Ochrasy, which is a made-up term meaning, well, we're not sure exactly, since we've read so many variations on the story. What's not made up, however, is the fact that the band is in town tomorrow night at The Horseshoe,... [continue]

Lots going on around town over the next little while. One of the city's biggest music festivals, NXNE, held their press conference this week announcing the 2007 lineup (warning, the list is tough to read), hosted by Dave Foley. Many show dates and venues were announced, including the addition of the Dinosaur Jr., Voxtrot and The National shows as officially being part of the festival. Limited wristbands will be accepted at each show, so... [continue]

Each weekday morning, we pick a recent image from the Torontoist Flickr Pool and feature it here on the site. It's our way to give the many excellent photographers in our pool the attention they deserve! "Thank goodness for an open dome," the quote that accompanies former contributor Chromewaves photo, seems to sum up the Jays' performance perfectly as of late. Last night's 8-0 loss at the Rogers Centre made it nine in a row,... [continue]

Two super-fast ticket giveaways for you today...get 'em while they're hot. First up are three pairs of tickets to see Colorado's Rose Hill Drive with Zuku tonight at Lee's Palace, courtesy of Against the Grain. If you've never heard Rose Hill Drive, think 70's rock a la Zeppelin, and for what it's worth, Rolling Stone recently named them one of the "10 new artists to watch in 2007." Up for it? If you can make... [continue]

Brighton, UK's The Kooks are coming to town this Tuesday on what must be the longest tour ever, supporting their first album Inside In/Inside Out, which came out in January 2006. They must be doing something right, though, since the show is completely sold out. Did you try to buy tickets with no luck? Well, here's your second chance to snag a pair. Courtesy of +1 Music we have one pair of tickets to... [continue]

Aaaand, we're back! Live Baby Live had a false start a few weeks ago, but we're officially back in action now and have changed things up a bit. The listings will now appear on the site mid-week and run from Thursday to Wednesday. We're starting to sound like a broken record, but once again, there is definitely no shortage of recently announced shows this week. Good to see Brit 'it girls' The Pipettes returning... [continue]

With the warm weather finally arriving, it's time to start looking for some outdoor activities to participate in. We can already hear the sound of bicycles being tuned up all over the city and the pitter patter of runners coming out of hibernation, but did you know that Toronto offers a number of organized sports leagues catering to young professionals? It's true. You no longer have an excuse to sit on your ass all... [continue]

Each weekday morning, we pick a recent image from the Torontoist Flickr Pool and feature it here on the site. It's our way to give the many excellent photographers in our pool the attention they deserve! For the first time this year, it finally feels like spring. We're sitting at 12ºC right now, and the temperature is rising to 18ºC tomorrow -- what a relief! It's time to bust out those frisbees, call your friends... [continue]

"Ruby, Ruby, Ruby, Ruby...Do ya, do ya, do ya do ya..." Anyone else get this song stuck in their head whenever they hear it? Curse those Kaiser Chiefs and their catchy lyrics! Perhaps seeing them live in concert could get it out of your system, yes? Well, courtesy of Sneak Attack Media, we can make that happen. The Leeds, UK boys will be in town tomorrow night at the Kool Haus, along with The... [continue]

Each weekday morning, we pick a recent image from the Torontoist Flickr Pool and feature it here on the site. It's our way to give the many excellent photographers in our pool the attention they deserve! Today's image takes us slightly away from the centre of the universe and out to the suburbs of Markham, where Gadflypro caught this interesting perspective of a Macedonian artist creating a fresco in an unnamed church. The dramatic pose... [continue]

Another ticket giveaway! This time it's to check out Toronto's very own Uncut at Sneaky Dee's tomorrow night, courtesy of The Musebox. Also on the bill for the evening are Debaser, Fjord Rowboat and Fire Hydrant, so it's going to be a busy night! We have a pair of tickets to put into someone's hands, and all you have to do to win is be the third person to email carrie@torontoist.com with your full name.... [continue]