culture
CMW 2013 Best Bets: Tuesday
Stock up on 5-Hour Energy and plot the best route between venues, because Canadian Music Week is underway.
Not sure where to go for CMW? Don’t worry. We have you covered.
Janelle Monáe goes crowd surfing at the 2011 Indie Awards, while audience members snap pictures and a creepy man wears a black mask. Ah, CMW. Photo by Roger Cullman, from the Torontoist Flickr Pool.
If the third time’s the charm, then the second time is still part of that exciting, slightly risky, will-they-or-won’t-they phase. That’s where That Was Great finds itself. (The monthly comedy showcase, hosted by Amanda Brooke Perrin and Mikey Kolberg, had its inaugural event in February.) Not that there’s really a risk of this month’s edition not going well: the lineup of standups can stand up against all the CMW bands slated for tonight. On the bill are award-winning comedian and current Mr. D cast member Mark Forward, ReHash podcaster Matt O’Brien, comedian and motivational speaker Anto Chan, Evan Desmarais, and standup fave Sara Hennessy, known for Video on Trial, her web series Goodbye Sara Hennessy, and the upcoming short film Secret Clubhouse. That Was Great should, yeah, be pretty great!
Go if: You want to build up your CMW stamina with some decibel decimating laughs and funnybone-crushing jokes.
Look, you’re probably not going to be able to get in to see A$AP, because he’s Rihanna’s opening act. The powers behind this concert have sold so many tickets that they’re only letting in a very limited number of wristbands. That said, if you’re one of the lucky handful, good for you.
A$AP Rocky was hip hop’s undisputed breakout star in 2012. He has gone from internet fame to legitimate, mind-blowing superstardom in a very short period of time, and not without good reason. He has the ability to be equally engaging on spaced-out cloud-rap jams and the hyper-aggressive bangers. He also has a lot of trouble crossing our border, so see him while you can.
Go if: You’re feeling lucky.
Graydon James & The Young Novelists
Graydon James and Laura Spink. Photo by Connie Tsang.
Graydon James and his The Young Novelists bandmate Laura Spink spent last month playing an intimate weekly residency at the Cameron House. For tonight’s showcase set, the roots-rock and folk band is back at full strength, playing songs off of last year’s In the Year You Were Born.
Go if: You want to see one of Toronto’s best live roots-rock outfits, in one of the city’s best roots-rock venues.
Toronto-based industrial act The Rabid Whole has spent the last five years building a devoted local fanbase, all while getting praise from as far afield as Australia and Germany. (The band has opened for acts like Apoptygma Berzerk and Hanzel und Gretel.) This stuff probably isn’t for everyone, but those who like it like it a lot.
Go if: You want to find out what all the spooky kids are into these days.