Toronto Unplugged » concerts

Rebel Emergency Tonight at Black Betty

Sat, 28 Jun 2008 14:34:31 +0000

Rebel Emergency is an innovative band from Toronto whose sound is an eclectic mix of Rock, Reggae and Ska that is undeniable in both its energy and originality.

Check them out tonight at Black Betty – doors at 8pm

The show is free through the Inside Edge – click here for details

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Spend Your Money on Shows | CD Sales Continue to Drop

Mon, 23 Jun 2008 18:48:10 +0000

I have always supported musicians with spending my money on their concerts – the ticket, often a t-shirt and occasionally an impulse buy of the album at the show. In this digital music age, I discover music online and for the music/bands that I really dig, I support them financially when they roll into town – often dragging friends with me.

Although CD’s now contain features that digital downloads do not (bonus tracks, video footage…etc), CD sales are still fading while touring and number of shows are up.

There was a great article in The New York Times today talking about this more in depth.

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Princess Superstar | Take More Photos

Thu, 12 Jun 2008 13:10:58 +0000

Some great pics from the Princess Superstar Show a little while ago at Circa. The photos are courtesy of our man Zach at Take More Photos.

Princess Superstar (born Concetta Kirschner, 1971) is an American emcee. Her musical style —a mixture of hip hop, rock and electronica— is flip-flop, as she describes it.

Princess is a world reknowned DJ with her eclectic mix of electro house/mash-up/party jam crazee style! She has DJ’d with Felix Da Housecat, Daft Punk, The Glimmers, ?uestlove of the Roots, Ms. Kittin, DJ Hell at the Gigolo Party at the Love Parade, 2 Many DJs, James Murphy, etc etc!

Stephen Merchant of The Office fame is generally acknowledged as the person who broke Princess Superstar in the UK,with the lanky writer/producer playing the track “Things are gonna get better”.

For more photos of this show and some of Random Land, visit Take More Photos.

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Matthew Good Brings His Electric Guitar Back to Toronto

Wed, 28 May 2008 11:46:09 +0000

Matthew Good is used to touring with his acoustic guitar. It is a little easier on the body…perhaps because it is more about the music and lyrics and less about the ‘rock’. This tour, to the delight of fans, Good has decided to crack out his electric again, but admits it’s taking a toll on his body.

“I woke up this morning feeling like I’d run a marathon after which I was hit by a bus, dragged four blocks, and then set upon by wolves,” he said on his website, matthewgood.org, the day after the concert.

The band on this tour is no reincarnation of the original Matthew Good Band, but rather a set of backing musicians for Good to re-explore electric music.

Matthew Good will be playing Massey Hall on Thursday May 29th @ 8pm

Try your hand at tickets here.

Image Credit: Ticketmaster

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Wednesday Night in Gigs | Kathleen Edwards | Scout Niblett

Wed, 23 Apr 2008 11:09:09 +0000

There are a few interesting gigs tonight in town. Here is a rundown of the one’s that stand out…

Kathleen Edwards with Justin Rutledge will be playing the Phoenix.
This is a great venue to see both these acts – intimate with great sound. Let us know how this one goes

Portland’s Scout Niblett will play the Shoe tonight.
The style is lyrical, trance, strange folk. Reminds a bit of Bjork. Here is a back cab session

Ninja Funk Orchestra @ the Concord Cafe
Maybe the coolest name ever

The Great Train Reverie @ the Dakota Tavern
A great change of pace. Check it out and ask for a pint of Cameron’s

Classic Albums Live Series – The Eagles: Hotel California @ the Rose Theatre in Brampton
Tickets between $37.50-$65.00
“I had a really rough day man…and I hate the Eagles man” – Big Lebowski

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Run With The Kittens | Random Gigs

Sat, 01 Mar 2008 19:19:16 +0000

Interested in seeing Run With The Kittens at some random gigs outside of the GTA?

I just got this email from the band…gotta love their emails. Enjoy.

(from Kittens) We have some out of town gigs in the next couple weeks:

1. Papa’s Billiards Sat March 1 – Peterborough

This is a smaller venue so we plan on getting really wasted. There will be a really high chance of experiencing regrettable behavior and possibly nudity.

2. Jimmy Jazz Fri March 7 – Guelph

If you haven’t been to one of our legendary monthly Guelph gigs, come check it out. It’s a free show and somebody always gets beat up.

3. Huether Hotel Sat March 8 – Waterloo

This gig is going to be especially emotional. Everyone in the band has a lot of really messed up emotional problems and every March 8th we let it all out in a musical display of inner instability. There will be lots of crying and after everybody gets a real bad drunken case of the ‘i love you man’s’

To listen to some Kittens, check them out here.

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NQ Arbuckle gear up for debut SXSW performance | Dakota Tavern

Thu, 14 Feb 2008 15:05:07 +0000

N.Q. Arbuckle is the unassuming band nudging its way to the bar of great Canadian music.

NQ ARBUCKLE plays THE DAKOTA TAVERN, SATURDAY FEBRUARY 23. w/ special guests. Doors @ 9 pm. Tix $10. Available at the door only.

After a busy fall touring Europe, NQ Arbuckle revs up for his bon-voyage to Austin by warming up some hometown haunts.

As one-third of Six Shooter’s Triple Barrel Tour, rounded off with labelmates Luke Doucet and Justin Rutledge, Arbuckle strummed up a storm in Italy and the Netherlands, where the troup yielded some great reviews.

NQ Arbuckle makes his debut performance at this year’s SXSW, where he’ll be playing Six Shooter’s official label showcase and they Six Shooter/Mint Hootenanny, hosted by longtime compadre and often-duet-mate Carolyn Mark.

This hometown show will also serve as a ‘sneak-peak’ for NQ’s new album, “X O K”, set for release shortly.

“NQ Arbuckle neither drinks to forget, nor does he forget to drink…A real talent [who wins] audiences easily with stage banter and 5 a.m. songs about “long brackish fingertips sinking in tarnished watered-down drinks.”‘ — The Globe & Mail

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Friday Night: Die Mannequin, An Evening Out and little swing jazz

Fri, 04 Jan 2008 11:15:18 +0000

Here are some options for catching some gigs in the city on this Friday night. There are some solid bands taking the stage, just browse your favorite venues below and pick your vibe.

Recco: If not heading to the Phoenix grab a date and check out the Reservoir.

Phoenix: Die Mannequin and the Dresden Dolls – $19.50

Cameron House: An Evening Out CD release

Lee’s Palace: Rock For Humanity benefit w/ I Hate Sally (rock/punk)

The Horseshoe: 63 Monroe, Saigon Hookers, Alpha Project and Storm Alongs (rock/indie/glam)

Reservoir Lounge: The Jake Rude Swing Sextet (jazz) – the Reservoir is always a good bet

The Opera House: Ra:tio (indie)

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The Legendary Horseshoe turns 60!

Sat, 01 Dec 2007 16:31:54 +0000

The Legendary Horseshoe Tavern has been offering the best live music in the city for 60 years. The place is a Toronto Institution that has become the music pulse of the city.

On Tuesday December 4th, the Shoe will be kicking a long list of birthday concerts – each band is significant to the history of the ’shoe’ in their own unique way.

There will be much, much more on this, but for now start marking your calendar.

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