03/9 2010

Cheat Sheet: Canadian Music Fest

Contributed by Natasha Emery

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Popular music fans rejoice! Canadian Music Fest (formerly CMW) kicks off tomorrow night with more than 700 bands at 45 different venues over five days (thru Sunday). How does a music lover even begin to choose what to see? From hip-hop to folk/roots, blues to alternative rock, the variety is practically endless.

As music programmer for City of Toronto Special Events I’m always on the look-out for hot new Canadian talent and this year’s CMF is loaded with rising stars. Here are my Top 10, must-see shows in chronological order . . .

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The Mission District – Montreal’s new wave popsters will get you up and dancing, plus a special appearance by Platinum Blonde who also happen to be 2010 inductees into the Canadian Music and Broadcast Industry Hall of Fame (March 10 @ The Mod Club)
Cadence Weapon (top pic)– Hip-hop, Edmonton’s poet laureate with full live band (March 11 @ The Garrison)
Delhi 2 Dublin– Tabla/celtic fiddle/electronic, Vancouver’s hottest fusion group are part of the Spotlight on India Rock night (March 11 @ Revival)
Magneta Lane – Garage rock, all female trio of hard hitting rockers (March 11 @ The Horseshoe)
K-OS (above right)– Fresh from his spectacular performance at the Closing Ceremony of the 2010 Olympic Games, K-OS headlines the hip-hop showcase also featuring T.O’s own Saukrates (March 11 @ The Opera House)
CATL (above left) – Blues rock, Toronto duo of hard rockin’ swampy blues show why they are Toronto Blues Society New Talent Search 2009 winners (March 12 @ The Silver Dollar)
Najuah – Alt. rock/punk, sisters Hanifa and Juliet mix in flavours of punk, reggae and r&b to their hard-edged Toronto rock band (March 12 @ Mitzi’s Sister)
“Stripped Down” is an acoustic series featuring strong singer/songwriters held nightly at the Free Times Café, The Library Bar and other clubs. Check out Winnipeg’s soul songstress Maiko Watson (March 13 @ Czehoski)
Rich Aucoin – Electro-pop, one of the many talented East Coast artists appearing at Enter the Tiki Music Nova Scotia Showcase (March 13 @ The Rivoli)
Born Ruffians – Indie rock, hear brand new material from their upcoming spring release (March 14 @ The Phoenix)

A $45 wristband gets you in to all the clubs and shows, first-come, first-served. Dress cool and stay hydrated!

Life-long music lover Natasha Emery started UpBeat Entertainment in 1992 providing music management services for Canadian reggae, world and folk music artists. After spending six summer seasons at Harbourfront Centre’s music programming department, Natasha joined Special Events at the City of Toronto in 1999 and has presented hundreds of concerts introducing audiences to outstanding Canadian talent in every genre.