Here are our picks for the hottest concerts in Toronto this August.
The O.C.: Covering Their Tracks
August 2 at The Horseshoe (370 Queen St. W.)
Ten years after saying goodbye to Ryan, Marissa, Seth, Summer, and friends, Indie88 is paying tribute to The O.C. with a special evening of music from the show’s seminal soundtrack. Performers include Annie Sumi, The Beaches, Stefanie of Brave Shores, Danielle Duval, DCF, Derek Hoffman, Members of The Elwins, Matthew and Kirty Of Fast Romantics, Giant Hand, Jane’s Party, The Kents, Lost Cousins, Lou Canon, The Medicine Hat, Rich Aucoin, Sam Cash, Spencer Burton, Sportsfan, Taylor Knox, Tyler Kyte, and more special guests TBA.
https://youtube.com/watch?v=VeA-6YtFR3Y
$15 advance tickets available at Rotate This, Soundscapes, and Ticketfly; $20 at the door, with all proceeds donated to SKETCH, a community arts initiative for street-involved and homeless youth.
Fleet Foxes
August 4 & 5 at Massey Hall (178 Victoria St.)
Oh, how we’ve missed Fleet Foxes. The Seattle indie folk outfit returned in June with Crack-Up, the long awaited follow-up album to 2011’s Helplessness Blues, and they are now embarking on an extensive tour across North America and Europe that will run until the end of the year. (Sandy) Alex G will serve as the opener for several dates of the tour, including both Toronto shows.
$60+ tickets available through StubHub
OVO Fest: Drake with Partynextdoor, DVSN, Majid Jordan, and Roy Woods
August 7 at Budweiser Stage (909 Lakeshore Blvd.)
After moving indoors to Air Canada Centre in 2016, Drake is returning to Budweiser Stage (formerly Molson Amphitheatre) for the eighth edition of his annual OVO Fest. Joining Champagne Papi at this year’s festival are PartyNextDoor, Majid Jordan, dvsn, and Roy Woods. As is tradition, attendees can expect a surprise guest or two as well; Rihanna, Kanye West, Jay-Z, Stevie Wonder, and TLC have all made surprise appearances in the past.
$176+ tickets available through StubHub and Ticketmaster (resale only)
Moon King
August 11 at The Baby G (1608 Dundas St. W.)
Moon King is the dream pop project of Toronto singer/songwriter/producer Daniel Benjamin. His latest release, Hamtramck ’16, was inspired by the Detroit neighbourhood he called home last year and captures his growing obsession with underground dance music. His upcoming tour will feature several Canadian stops, including Toronto, Ottawa, and Montreal.
$10 tickets available through Ticketfly and at the door.
Homeshake
August 17 at Lee’s Palace (529 Bloor St. W.)
Longtime fans of Mac DeMarco will remember Peter Sagar as Mac’s former guitarist, but since 2014, the Montreal native has been focused solely on his R&B-meets-synth pop project Homeshake. He released his third studio album, Fresh Air, under the moniker in February and is now in the midst of a seventeen-city trek that wraps up here in Toronto.
$18.50 tickets available at Rotate This, Soundscapes, and Ticketfly
Portugal. The Man
August 17 & 18 at Danforth Music Hall (147 Danforth Ave.)
Portland rockers Portugal. The Man have a slew of shows lined up this summer and fall following the release of their eighth studio album – and first since 2013 – Woodstock. In addition to their North American and European tours, the band will also perform at My Morning Jacket’s One Big Holiday destination music festival scheduled for March 2018.
$40 tickets available through Ticketmaster
SZA
August 23 at REBEL (11 Polson St.)
SZA has been dominating the R&B charts since dropping her debut CTRL in June and is now embarking on a tour behind the album. She’ll be supported by rapper Smino and R&B singer Ravyn Lenae for her sold-out Toronto performance, which had to be moved from the Phoenix to REBEL due to overwhelming demand (you can still snag tickets on the secondary market, though).
$88+ tickets available through StubHub