Toronto Concerts October 2017: Our Top Picks
October 2, TOPS at the Mod Club
Montreal indie-rock outfit TOPS returned with this summer’s Sugar At The Gate. It’s the group’s third album and first since their breakthrough Picture You Staring, 3 years ago. Sugar offers a synth-heavy, groovier vibe than previous efforts, but TOPS stay true to what got them here: U2/Edge-like soundscapes from guitarist David Carriere, drummer Riley Fleck’s meticulously carved-out pocket, and – of course, Jane Perry’s hook-laden chorus melodies. An injection of groovy new tunes should translate seamlessly to the live stage. – Ben Labenski
When: Monday, October 2, 2016, 8:00 PM
Where: 722 College St. W, Toronto, Ontario
Buy Tickets: BUY HERE
October 4, Kid Cudi at REBEL
Scott Mescudi has been on a roller coaster his whole career. Breaking out in 2009 with the epic Man On The Moon album, he caught the eyes and ears of the one and only Kanye West. Cudi has provided endless hooks for Ye’s catalogue. Passion, Pain & Demon Slayin’ is a return to the Cudi I remember seeing at the Kool Haus back in 2009 and I couldn’t be more excited! Scott is playing at Rebel on October 4. – Jack Fowler
When: Wednesday, October 4, 2016, 8:00 PM
Where: 11 Polson St, Toronto, ON
Buy Tickets: BUY HERE
October 5, Mosey Sumney at the Mod Club
Since the short but incredibly sweet 2014 release, Mid-City Island, Sumney has been relatively quiet. He has released a follow-up up EP and some singles here and there. Just over a week ago, he dropped his debut album, Aromanticism. It was well worth the wait. Plastic still is and always be a standout track. – Blake Fletcher
When: Thursday, October 5, 2017, 8:00 PM
Where: 722 College St. W, Toronto, Ontario
Buy Tickets: BUY HERE
October 6, Future Islands at Massey Hall
As soon as I saw Future Islands frontman, Sam Herring, on Letterman, I knew I had to see him and the rest of the band live. I was lucky enough to see them a few years back as part of NXNE. Future Islands didn’t disappoint. Now, they’re back in the city for another one. I anticipate that people will be dancing out of their seats at this one. It’s a can’t miss. – Blake Fletcher
When: Friday, October 6, 2017, 8:00 PM
Where: 178 Victoria St, Toronto, ON
Buy Tickets: BUY HERE
October 7, Blue Hawaii at Longboat Hall
Blue Hawaii is akin to TOPS in both their origin (Montreal, QC) and their label (Arbutus Records). However, their sounds couldn’t be more contrasting. Blue Hawaii boasts a chill electronic vibe that helped me prolong study sessions in the library back in college (specifically, the entire album Untogether). Their new album, Tenderness, which comes out later this year, has a more upbeat feel that would be better suited for a club than a library, based on pre-release singles ‘No One Like You’ and ‘Versus Game’. Think Purity Ring combined with Jon Hopkins. – Ben Labenski
When: October 7, 2017, 9:00 PM
Where: 1087 Queen Street West (Basement Of Great Hall)
Buy Tickets: BUY HERE
October 11, Nicolas Jaar at Massey Hall
Nicolas Jaar is a New York electronic music composer and recording artist who has worn many hats in his young career. A few of which include his brilliant work with friend Dave Harrington as the group Darkside, film soundtracks, widespread and staggering remixes (who doesn’t remember his 2013 remix of Daft Punk’s entire Random Access Memories album?), and two solo albums to his name. He’s currently touring behind last year’s Sirens, a brilliant, if not abstract work of ambient beauty. – Ben Labenski
When: October 11, 2017, 8:00 PM
Where: 178 Victoria St, Toronto, ON
Buy Tickets: BUY HERE
October 21-22, The War On Drugs at Massey Hall
Adam Granduciel’s nasally voice and the amazing War on Drugs bring on feelings of Bob Dylan. I like to refer to it as Classic Indie-Rock. A Deeper Understanding, the band’s 4th and possibly best album, is my go-to road tripping album. They have two shows at Massey Hall this month, October 21 and 22, and I couldn’t think of a better venue for them to show off their skills.- Jack Fowler
When: October 21-22, 2017, 8:00 PM
Where: 178 Victoria St, Toronto, ON
Buy Tickets: BUY HERE
October 24, Japandroids at Massey Hall
Another acclaimed Canadian group coming through the city this month, Japandroids are anthem rock n’ roll at its finest – having been compared to legends like Bruce Springsteen. The two-piece from Vancouver, BC returned to the successful formula of their previous two albums for 2017’s Near to the Wild Heart of Life. One listen to the album’s title track and you’ll understand why these guys are a must-see live show – what with David Prowse’s menacing punk rock drumming and Brian King’s high-pitched vocal delivery and blazing guitar work. Certain to be a fun, uplifting night, though moshing will likely be near impossible at a soft-seater like Massey Hall. There aren’t many in the music industry that work or party as hard as Japandroids these days: proven by a quick glance at their endless tour schedule or a quick YouTube search. – Ben Labenski
When: October 24, 2017, 8:00 PM
Where: 178 Victoria St, Toronto, ON
Buy Tickets: BUY HERE
October 27, Alt-J∆ at Massey Hall
Do you have any albums that you like to get baked to? For me, Alt-J falls into this genre. I like to turn up any of their three stellar albums once things get hazy. Maybe I’ll do that when I see them live, maybe I won’t. I’m sure the bands signature sound will fill Massey Hall’s cavernous walls just right. – Blake Fletcher
When: Friday, October 27, 2017, 8:00 PM
Where: 178 Victoria St, Toronto, ON
Buy Tickets: BUY HERE
October 29, King Krule at the Danforth Music Hall
King Krule’s Dum Surfer has shown up on my Spotify Release Radar for the last two weeks in a row. Is that a sign that anybody who has the chance to should see him play the Danforth at the end of the month should? That’s what I’m viewing it as. Get your hands on a ticket to this one if you can. – Blake Fletcher
When: Sunday, October 29, 2017, 8:00 PM
Where: 147 Danforth Ave, Toronto, ON
Buy Tickets: BUY HERE
October 30, Ariel Pink at the Phoenix Concert Theatre
Ariel Pink is controversially one of my favourite artists… perhaps ever. I say controversially because he boasts such a wide variety of sound, genre, and song – some of which I will truly never listen to. The ones that I will, however, are some of the catchiest, most honest-to-god pop classics that I’ll admit I listen to. There isn’t a contemporary artist who captures the breezy, Beach Boy’s, AM-radio, nostalgia-California pop vibe as well as Pink. For evidence, check out ‘Feels Like Heaven’, a track from his recently released Dedicated to Bobby Jameson: an indie-rock song-of-the-summer dark horse. All being said, there are obvious risks to being a devout fan to an artist so prone to mixed-bag albums. For a crash course introduction, it’s best to seek out an ‘Essentials Playlist’ – specifically one that features 2010’s “Round and Round”, a track labelled by Pitchfork Media as the #1 Track of 2010 and the #2 Track of the Decade So Far (which, I have heard, he often omits from his live set… ¯\_(ツ)_/¯). Pink is one of those artists whose musical genius is revealed after repeat listens. – Ben Labenski
When: Monday, October 30, 2017, 8:00 PM
Where: 410 Sherbourne Street, Toronto, ON
Buy Tickets: BUY HERE
October 30, Hamilton Leithauser at the Danforth Music Hall
Hamilton Leithauser is an unabashed New Yorker – which isn’t a difficult conclusion to come to after deciphering lyrics from any of his numerous musical endeavours. You may know Leithauser from his work with The Walkmen, one of many bands (including The Strokes, LCD Soundsystem and TV on the Radio) who’s presence and sound helped reinvigorate New York City’s then-starving rock n’ roll music scene. Leithauser is currently touring in support of his most recent solo work, 2016’s brilliant I Had A Dream That You Were Mine, which was co-created and produced by fellow New York City indie stalwart Rostam Batmanglij (Vampire Weekend, Frank Ocean, HAIM, Rostam). Unfortunately, Rostam doesn’t join Leithauser on the road, but his signature production quirks are all over the album – though a keen eye will notice former Spoon guitarist/keyboardist Eric Harvey lending a hand to the live show. Leithauser boasts a voice that demands to be heard live – if you don’t think he can hit the high notes present throughout his studio work, check him out at the Danforth and you’ll be happily proven wrong. – Ben Labenski
When: Monday, October 30, 2017, 8:00 PM
Where: 147 Danforth Ave, Toronto, ON
Buy Tickets: BUY HERE
Mighty Records
Latest posts by Mighty Records (see all)
- Toronto Concerts October 2017: Our Top Picks - October 1, 2017
- Top 8 Concerts in Vancouver September 2016 - August 31, 2016
- Top 5 Concerts in Vancouver July 2016 - June 30, 2016