February is a time of the year when the cold numbs the city with little respite, when grimy slush and icy patches line the streets, and the sun goes down way too soon. If you’re feeling the winter blues, here’s one great way to warm up and cheer up this month: go see a concert!
Getting over the hurdle
All year round, Toronto welcomes countless local and international musicians to play live shows in the many venues located across the city. Check out below who’s playing live in Toronto for February, get your tickets, and get ready to sing and move along to your favourite musicians live!
Best Coast and Wavves
Best Coast - BethanyCosentino
courtesy of ticketmaster.ca
A double bill of indie rock bands, both with lots of positive hype. Best Coast released their first album last year while Wavves are onto their third collection. The former group makes short, lo-fi pop tunes based on reverb-y guitars, instantly-memorable melodies, and sweet harmonies, while the latter’s material are noisier and shoutier, but every bit as catchy. Since both bands are critically acclaimed, expect the show to be packed, especially with hipsters.
Sunday, February 6
Phoenix Concert Theatre
$23.50
Linkin Park
Linkin Park
courtesy of ticketmaster.ca
A massively successful group who rose to fame in the early 2000s, Linkin Park has sold over 50 million albums worldwide and has won two Grammy awards. Their fusion of rock music with rap and electronica influences, and their mix of singing vocals with rhymes and shouting, hit a chord with pop music listeners as songs like “One Step Closer”, “Crawling”, “In the End”, and “Faint” climbed up the charts. Linkin Park play the ACC in support of their latest album, A Thousand Suns, which marks a change in the band’s sound as they dial back the volume, try new styles, and evolve their early angry energy into and internal brooding vibe.
Tuesday, February 8
Air Canada Centre
$59.00, $89.00
Brian McKnight
Brian McKnight
courtesy of ticketmaster.ca
A gifted R&B singer who writes and produces many of his songs, Brian McKnight’s career stretches back in the 90s, and includes hits like “Back at One” and “Anytime”. With a show titled “Wine, Roses, and Laughter”, the concert promises to get soul and R&B music lovers ready for Valentine’s Day.
Sunday, February 13
Sound Academy
$56.00
Gipsy Kings
Gipsy Kings
courtesy of ticketmaster.ca
The pop-flamenco band that recorded the classic track “Volare” plays live in Toronto on Valentine’s Day. For fans of the long-running band, for fans of Latin music, or for those who want to get their Rumba and Salsa on with a partner, this show can’t be missed.
Monday, February 14
Sony Centre for Performing Arts
$61.10 - $113.60
Bon Jovi
Bon Jovi
courtesy of ticketmaster.ca
Since its beginnings in the 80s as a hard rock band with signature hits like “You Give Love a Bad Name” and “Living on a Prayer”, Bon Jovi has gone on to sell a whopping 130 million albums worldwide, expanded their musical styles to include love ballads and country tunes, and seen its lead singer evolve into a sex symbol. With numerous sold-out tours under its belt, the latest Bon Jovi show is sure to be a loud stadium spectacular filled with screaming adoring fans.
Tuesday, February 15
Air Canada Centre
$23.75-$518.00
Interpol
Interpol
courtesy of ticketmaster.ca
If a big, glossy arena show like Bon Jovi isn’t your cup of tea, the indie-favourite post-punk revival band Interpol may be more to your liking. With a dark, atmospheric rock sound complemented by a driving rhythm section, this isn’t exactly a sing-along concert (unless if you’re a big fan of the band), but it is a great chance to catch some quality American indie rock live.
Tuesday, February 15
Sound Academy
$38.00
Morcheeba
Morcheeba
courtesy of ticketmaster.ca
For fans of electronica, trip-hop, or lounge music with groove, Morcheeba brings the beats, the DJ scratching, and the smooth vibes to the Phoenix this month. Perhaps most importantly, original vocalist Skye Edwards returns to the band after an eight-year absence, so this will be the first show in years where fans of tracks like “Otherwise” will hear that soulful and bluesy vocal trademark of Morcheeba.
Sunday, February 20
Phoenix Concert Theatre
$43.50
David Gray
David Gray
courtesy of ticketmaster.ca
An accomplished British singer-songwriter, David Gray began his career as a folk-pop artist in the 90s, then scored a big hit with “Babylon” at the turn of the new millennium, before settling back into folksy, intimate songs found on later albums like last year’s Foundlings. Enjoy his marvelous singing voice, by turns bright and scratchy, and his confessional songs at Massey Hall later this month.
Friday, February 25
Massey Hall
$63.89, $78.89
Cradle of Filth
Cradle Of Filth
courtesy of ticketmaster.ca
A successful British ‘mainstream’ metal band, Cradle of Filth is infamous for its frequent use of Gothic and horror imagery, its high/over-the-top lyrical concepts inspired by the Bible, history, and mythology, as well as its seemingly never-ending band member changes. If you’re a metalhead who enjoys a bit of tongue-in-cheek amidst all the twisted darkness, get your tickets, get your black eyeliner, and get ready to growl!
Saturday, February 26
Phoenix Concert Theatre
$41.50
All tickets available online.
