Drawing on diverse backgrounds, Vampire Weekend experiments and explores the intersections of the things they love: African guitar music, the Western classical canon, hazy memories of summers in Cape Cod, winters in Upper Manhattan, reggaeton and everything else that would become part of Vampire Weekend.

Vampire Weekend returns to Toronto – their last visit being a much hyped packed house at the Horseshoe Tavern. As part of the Rogers Picnic, Vampire Weekend will take the stage at 4pm – after Dizzee Rascal and just before Animal Collective.

Already featured on many lists of who to watch for in 2008, Vampire Weekend have caused quite a stir, garnering the cover of SPIN Magazine who declared them “The Year’s Best new Band”, features in Blender, Fader, The New Yorker, The New York Times, Rolling Stone, and noteworthy TV appearances on SNL, Late Show with David Letterman, Jimmy Kimmel Live, and famed Coachella festival.

As always…send in your reviews and comments on the show.

Here’s a great VW track…

Post from: Toronto Unplugged

About Tokyo Police Club…

Tokyo Police Club have taken all the good bits from Indie Rock in the past decade and put their own unique spin on things to create a sound that has catapulted them into the international spotlight. Since their formation in 2005, the band has played numerous festivals including key performances at Lollapalooza, Coachella, Glastonbury, and Reading and have recently been featured on the Tonight Show with David Letterman. Their debut LP “Elephant Shell” will be released on April 22, 2008.

My favorite Tokyo Police Club track…hasn’t left my iPod rotation since the track came out.

Post from: Toronto Unplugged

Here is a little about the funky, rockin’, R&B duo…

Scarborough-based The Carps thrive on ingenuity with an attractive blend of rock, funk, electronic and hip-hop. Wielding a disheveled bass, a wonky synthesizer, and hard-hitting drums, the duo steer raw emotion into a palatable and progressive direction while never leaving their mindless self-indulgent Punk Rock days far behind. The Carps recently released their sophomore EP titled “Waves and Shambles”.

Have a listen…

Post from: Toronto Unplugged

Toronto Unplugged will randomly preview the line-up all week….we’re just starting with our favorite. And yes, they spell their name with a ‘U’…you’re goddamn right.

City and Colour is the solo project of Dallas Green, the dulcet voice of Platinum and Juno award winning Alexisonfire. Consistently selling out every venue across Canada and performing around the world (including legendary festivals such as Soundwave, Reading, Leeds, V-Fest) City and Colour’s debut album “Sometimes” achieved Platinum certification in 2006 and recent release “Bring Me Your Love” has already achieved Gold certification. City and Colour won the MuchMusic People’s Choice Favourite Canadian Artist award in 2006, and performed live on the 2007 JUNOS, (Canada’s Grammys), taking home the award for Alternative Album of The Year.

City and Colour will headline the show and will take the stage at 9:40pm

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Most may know Toronto’s historic Fort York for the annual beer festival…most might not remember any of it, but that’s standard. The Rogers Picnic has declared Fort York home for their annual bash celebrating great music. This year’s bash will feature New York’s Vampire Weekend.

In case you missed Vampire Weekend when they were last in Toronto at their crazily hyped show at the Horseshoe Tavern, this is a chance to see them at another unique (although much larger) venue.

The other acts at this year’s Rogers Picnic includes Animal Collective, Cat Power, Dizzee Rascal, Tokyo Police Club, Born Ruffians, Chromeo, the Carps, and only-in-Canada headliners Alexisonfire side project City and Colour.

Info…

Rogers Picnic Sunday July 20th @ Toronto Historic Fort York | Tickets Here

Image Credit: Wikipedia

Post from: Toronto Unplugged

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

This week, the songs seem to have a spring or summer vibe. As I add them to this post I’m listening to them and picturing summery stuff. When I listen to this acoustic version of Joel Plaskett’s Nowhere With You I picture lying in a hammock playing guitar. I picture driving with the top down in a convertible (that I don’t own) when I hear Oxford Coma. Maybe this is a good sign. Maybe spring will be here before we know it. Keep willing it with music.

Post from: Toronto Unplugged

The Hype Machine follows music blog discussions.  Every day, thousands of people around the world write about music they love — and it all ends up there.

The Hype Machine sidebar will constantly update every time the page is refreshed – making it easy to listen to what is getting hype in the world of music.

This minute’s list features Feist and a New York band who is getting huge hype and playing a sold out show at the Hoseshoe on Sunday night – Vampire Weekend.

Post from: Toronto Unplugged