July Music Picks!

Yes, it's been a while. Spare time has been at a premium. If you don't like it, get your money back. Without further ado, here's my pics for the hot shows in July!

June 30-July 1 - Digital Dreams Music Festival - Ontario Place

OK, this will probably be more of the club crowd than the rave/festival crowd (brace for lots of skeezing), but it's hard to ignore a great big multi-day festival in the heart of the city. Rogers is the title sponsor, and the venue is legit, so you know that sound & lighting will be top notch. I was just at a concert at Echo Beach, and it's a beautiful venue for music. Two day passes are in the $120 range right now, while one day wristbands are going for $80.

For the Saturday, Afrojack, A-Trak, Mr. Brown & Spinz, and Thesupermaniak are the acts that jump off the page for me. I'm not sure when Robb G is scheduled to throw down, or which day, but it'll be worth checking out one of his last DJ sets ever - he announced his retirement earlier this month. On Sunday, don't miss London Elektricity & Dynamite MC, the legendary Marcus Visionary, Dubfire, Major Lazer and Kaskade.

Flip flops, sun block, a low-profile beach chair (whatever that is), and a big ol' bottle of water are the orders of the day. Full details on the website or facebook page.

July 6 - Norah Jones - Massey Hall

The soulful American jazz singer touches down at one of the best live music venues in the city for what's sure to be one of the concerts of the year. Touring in support of her fifth full album, Little Broken Hearts, Ms. Jones has gone a little darker, a little more introspective with this one. Tickets are $49.50-$69.50, linked from the Massey Hall website. Check out the video for the album's namesake song:

July 4, 11, 18 & 25 (Wednesdays) - Devin Cuddy - Cameron House


I had the pleasure of catching this kid - well, he's 25, but he's got the youthful glow of Colby Rasmus - the son of Blue Rodeo's Jim Cuddy, at the Cameron a couple of weeks ago, and let me assure you, he is one talented dude. Self described as "Dixieland" piano blues, he sings, tickles the ivories, and woos the audience one verse at a time. Count on a mix of blues classics & his originals, like this one:

Still not sold? How's this for a love of music? (from an interview with Toronto.com)

“My favourite moment so far is when I played at a bar in the east end called Dora Keogh. My grandmother was there, so were my parents, and we played a song called “The Tennessee Waltz,” which was the first song my grandmother danced to at her wedding with her husband in 1952. As we started to play, my dad got up and danced with my grandmother in the middle of the room. Hands down, the most beautiful intergenerational experience I’ve ever had."

Free. Get off your ass and enjoy.

July 20-29 - Beaches International Jazz Festival

The 24th iteration of the festival will have stages at Woodbine Park, the boardwalk and the streets of the Beaches, and the main stage at Kew Gardens. You can peruse the whole lineup on the festival website, but I'd recommend checking out: Afroteque at Woodbine Park on the 20th; the piano jazz & blues of Tyler Yarema at Woodbine on the 22nd; Toronto's own Heavyweights Brass Band and Sharrie Williams on the 28th at Kew Gardens, and; the Swing Shift Big Band at the boardwalk & Lee Ave on the 28th and 29th.

The festival also includes music, improv & dance workshops, a charity 5, 10 & 20 km run, food vendors, art installations and, of course, the beach. Best part? Free!!!!