Decent week this week for shows in Toronto…and it all starts tonight…yes, a Sunday.

Xavier Rudd sings to the sold out crowd at the Danforth Music Hall tonight. Vampire Weekend play a hyped up ’show of the year’ at the Horseshoe Tavern.

The Kooks are at the Mod Club on Monday, The Bravery rock out the Opera House on Tuesday, Andrew W.K. will explode at the Sound Academy on Thursday and Thrice is at the Kool Haus on Friday.

The Kooks are at the Mod Club on Monday, The Bravery rock out the Opera House on Tuesday, on Thursday Andrew W.K. will tear the roof off Sound Academy, and Thrice have a gig at the Kool Haus on Friday.

Post from: Toronto Unplugged

I’m hoping there is some debate on this one, because I’ve heard tons of good and bad rants on this next venue.

Lee’s Palace is Lee’s Palace, it’s that simple.

Lee’s is a legendary concert venue in Toronto. The place is dark, it sometimes smells, the acoustics can be a bit high on the treble and the servers are a notch down from pleasant. But this is one of my favorite venues in the city. All of the above make up the character of Lee’s Palace. I thoroughly enjoy the sight lines, the acoustics, the intimacy and the vibe at Lee’s.

My notable gigs at Lee’s: Shane MacGowan and the Popes and more recently Apostle of Hustle

Located at 529 Bloor Street West just east of Lippincott Avenue, Lee’s is a converted motion picture theatre that can accommodate roughly 600 concert goers.

The venue is a local mecca for live music, known for its intimacy and boxed-in acoustics. Lee’s Palace hosts live music (mainly alternative) nearly every night ranging from local talent to international stars.

Upstairs is their club called The Dance Cave playing retro rock, Mod, 60’s, Britpop, and indie rock during the week, and straight alternative on the weekends.

Historical significance: The club opened on September 5, 1985 and bands such as The Verve, Nirvana, Smashing Pumpkins, Oasis, Red Hot Chili Peppers and The Buzzcocks have all made their Toronto debuts at Lee’s Palace.
(the phone @ Lee’s)

Post from: Toronto Unplugged

I’ve always rolled my eyes at comparisons. Maybe I’ve never understood them.

When I read NOW Magazines cover story indicating that Toronto’s Zaki Ibrahim could the next Amy Winehouse, I cringed a bit. Why the comparison to a walking circus? Perhaps it would become clear…how’s that for foreshadowing?

The R&B/Soul/Singer/Songwriter paired her cover story with a gig at the MOD Club last night. It is always something special when a musician creates a fixation in concert not based on stage presence, light shows or gimmicks, but straight talent. Zaki Ibrahim is a compelling artist that reels you in with her stand-out talent. She has an uncanny smoothness to her, making her genre-crossing-style look so very natural. On tracks like Majority World, Zaki journey’s through a mellow soulful story with soft and passionate vocals that will demand many more listens…it’s extremely good. Then on Daylight she adds contemporary vocals over a catchy early 90’s type back beat. Daylight is a standout track.

While watching this artist completely captivate hundreds at the Mod Club, I couldn’t help but keep thinking about those damn comparisons. At one point I thought to myself, “this artist is going to blow up…” Suddenly the comparisons made much more sense. Zaki could (and likely will) become an overnight sensation…much like…(read below)

Seems Ibrahim’s on the verge of blowing up into the “urban” Feist or the next Nelly Furtado – the early, cool Nelly Furtado, not the current pop sellout writhing awkwardly in her videos. Or she could be the next Amy Winehouse, addictions not withstanding. Asked if she’s planning a drug- and alcohol-fuelled meltdown, Ibrahim deadpans, “Fucking totally.” -NOW

Zaki Ibrahim is looking forward to her upcoming release “Every Opposite” which draws on folk, hip-hop, jazz, ambient and electronic elements. The anticipated album will be available in April and help further propel Zaki to the whirlwind of stardom.

Zaki’s next gig will be Hillside Inside on February 2nd in Guelph.

Zaki Ibrahim is on the rise…head to her Myspace page or go and see her live.

Post from: Toronto Unplugged

The Mod Club Theatre is a popular rock club that hosts smaller, more intimate gigs. The venue has a capacity of about 600 – concert-goers can watch acts from the floor, the tables to the side of the theatre, and a second floor balcony.

The theatre is decorated with Mod themed artwork and images that give the theatre it’s British vibe. Two large video panels give everyone in the audience a good view of the performers on stage. The theatre’s relatively small size contributes to the intimacy and clear sound quality of live shows.

One person who emailed in their feedback said,

“Small venue that has decent acoustics. You always have a good chance of having a great view of the band.”

Notable past gigs: KID KOALA, KATE NASH, KEANE, AMY WINEHOUSE, OK GO, THE DEARS, BADLY DRAWN BOY and MUSE

Thursday Nights the Mod Club hosts Mod Club Radio – Indie, Remixes and Electronica from the UK and beyond. Thursdays are live to air on 102.1 The Edge.

(Kid Koala @ The MOD Club)

Post from: Toronto Unplugged