If you’re thinking that it seems longer than usual since Canadian Music Week last rolled around, good news: you’re not crazy. For its 2014 edition, the event left behind its typically lousy March weather and moved to the comparatively balmier conditions of early May. So instead of being viewed as the next major festival after SXSW, it’ll perhaps now be seen more as a sibling of NXNE. Thanks to a radius clause introduced by NXNE that makes sure the two festivals feature different acts, though, they’ll have to carve out their own separate identities as concert extravaganzas.
What hasn’t changed about CMW in 2014 is its range of offerings—it still features a diverse lineup of music from artists both established and emerging, complemented by smaller samplings of film and comedy. With headlining performances from the likes of Canadian duo Tegan and Sara and a wide array of showcases carefully programmed for different genres and—in some cases—countries, there’s something on the schedule for everyone.
We’ve been critical of CMW in the past, but hope springs eternal that this will be the year kinks are ironed out and necessary changes are implemented. One new potential fix/new potential wrinkle introduced this year is a concert lottery intended to ensure that those with wristbands are guaranteed access to some of the bigger shows. This seems designed as a response to complaints that in the past, CMW wristband holders were forced to wait in line at shows allowing only limited access to those with wristbands—uncertain if they would even get in—while paying customers were given priority.
In order to make CMW as pleasant an experience as possible, here are some other helpful things to keep in mind.
Keep your options open: If history’s any indication, there are bound to be changes in set times and all sorts of unforeseen schedule shufflings. We’ve already watched plans for a potentially unforgettable outdoor M.I.A. show at Yonge-Dundas Square get scrapped in favour of one at Tattoo—and that was before the festival even began. With that in mind, it might be best to have a plan B or C ready for the evening in case things all go Pete Tong.
Take in some local music: While it’s undeniably tempting to check out the band from out of town that might not be back this way for a while, there is a lot of homegrown talent on display that deserves an audience. Try to make some time to see a local act perform at an event like this and then check out its next regularly scheduled non-festival gig to see how they compare.
Bring an umbrella: CMW may have successfully dodged cold temperatures and snow, but it would appear it has only traded one form of precipitation for another. Take it from us: a trip from one venue to another is always a lot better if you don’t end up drenched by the time you reach your destination.
Stay tuned to social media: With announcements and updates frequently happening via Twitter and a number of secret shows on the schedule, you don’t want to be the one kicking yourself for not having checked your feed when everyone’s talking about that surprise Guns N’ Roses reunion for months afterwards.
And now read on for our genre-by-genre picks…
| HIP HOP PREVIEW |
POP and ROCK PREVIEW |
PUNK and METAL PREVIEW |
ELECTRONIC PREVIEW |
FILM and COMEDY PREVIEW |