Now in its 34th year, Canadian Music Week has a reputation for bringing both big artists and some of the best up-and-coming bands to Toronto. With hundreds of bands playing multiple venues across the city over May 2-8, it can be a daunting task to pick which shows to attend. That’s why we’ve compiled our best bets for CMW, so you can make the most of this years festivities. Check out the entire schedule & lineup here.
To help celebrate CMW, tons of Toronto bars are extending last call until 4AM. For the complete list, scroll to the bottom! Cheers!
Tuesday May 3rd
C’EST WHAT SHOWCASE | C’est What | Event Info
Annie Sumi, Milo McMahon, The Rising Few and Eddie Paul kick off CMW in this blues-themed night at C’est What.
LIGHTS | Danforth Music Hall | Event info
Canadian icon Lights is joined by DCF for an uplifting pop night at the Danforth.
Wednesday May 4th
INDIES WITH INDIE88 | Phoenix Concert Theatre | Event Info
Wintersleep, Strumbellas, Alberta Cross and The Zolas are set to perform at this years’s Indies with Indie88 Awards, hosted by our very own Raina Douris. Come out and celebrate the best in local and international independent music!
MOTHERS | Adelaide Hall | Event Info
Athens, Georgia’s experimental folk band Mothers will be joined by Smoove & Turrell, Boulevards and Honduras at Adelaide Hall.
FAKE PALMS with BOB MOULD BAND | Horseshoe Tavern | Event Info
Legendary Bob Mould Band bring new friends Fake Palms to the Horseshoe Tavern.
ROYAL CANOE | Mod Club | Event Info
Beloved indie-pop sextet Royal Canoe are bringing The Wet Secrets and Hannah Epperson to the stage with them.
BAIO | Velvet Underground | Event Info
Vampire Weekend bassist-turned solo artist, BAIO, will perform at the Velvet Underground with TMPL, Only Yours, Romes and BLAJK.
Thursday May 5th
TOPS | Lee’s Palace | Event Info
Indie-pop group TOPS will be accompanied by Savoir Adore, Wildlife, Foxtrott and TMPL at Lee’s Palace.
NO JOY | Velvet Underground | Event Info
Montreal shoegazers are joined by PROGRAMM, Vallens and Mise en Scene Thursday night at Lee’s Palace.
Friday May 6th
DINE ALONE X SIRIUS XM SHOWCASE | Horseshoe Tavern | Event Info
Wintersleep, Sheepdogs, Music Band, Alberta Cross, Hannah Georgas, JEFF The Brotherhood, Diarrhea Planet & New Swears are all set to perform at Dine Alone x Sirius XM’s Friday night showcase.
BLACK LIPS W/ SPECIAL GUESTS | Phoenix Concert Theatre | Event Info
Punk rock night at the Phoenix Theatre with Black Lips, accompanied by Red Mass, Death Valley Girls and Single Mothers.
SKEPTA | Danforth Music Hall | Event Info
One of the most highly anticipated showcases during CMW is British rapper SKEPTA, performing at the Danforth on the Friday night. Special guests will be revealed the night of.
WHITE LUNG | Velvet Underground | Event Info
One of Vancouver’s top exports, punk rockers White Lung, are set for their CMW appearance Friday night with Chastity and Dead Tired.
Saturday May 7th
ROYAL WOOD | Danforth Music Hall | Event Info
Acclaimed multi-instrumentalist Royal Wood will perform at the Danforth Music Hall Saturday night with special guests Justin Rutledge and Elizabeth & the Catapult.
DILLY DALLY | Lee’s Palace | Event Info
Toronto’s “soft grungers” Dilly Dally will perform with special guests Motel Raphael, Foreign Diplomats, Le Trouble and The Damn Truth Saturday night at Lee’s Palace.
EAGLES OF DEATH METAL | The Opera House | Event Info
Eagles of Death Metal will be joined by Dearly Beloved and The Beaches at the Opera House Saturday night.
Bars with 4AM last call
The 300 Club (old Rancho Relaxo)
Adelaide Hall
Bovine Sex Club
Cadillac Lounge
Cameron House
The Cave
Cherry Cola’s
Dakota Tavern
Drake Underground
The Garrison
Handlebar
Hard Luck
Hideout
Horseshoe
Lee’s Palace
Mod Club
The Nest/The Den
Painted Lady
The Phoenix
Revival
Rivoli
Silver Dollar
Smiling Buddha
Sneaky Dee’s
Supermarket
Underground Garage
Velvet Underground
