A new year means new possibilities, new discoveries or maybe rediscovering some old favourites. With that in mind, here’s a list of concerts coming to Toronto and surrounding areas through the end of May. Take a read, check off the ones that raise an eyebrow and post it on your refrigerator door. You’ll thank us later.

JANUARY

– Get a dose of funky East Coast indie at The Jimmy Swift Band’s CD release party at the Horseshoe on Jan. 13. $12; 416-598-4226.

– Help support homegrown blues artists at this year’s Maple Blues Awards, featuring a variety of Canadian musicians such as the Maple Blues Band, Suzie Vinnick, Diana Braithwaite, Chris Whitely, Ndidi Onukwulu and more. Jan. 15, $28,Mod Club; ticketpro.com.

– A classical and jazz collective formed by pianist Andrew Burashko, the Art of Time Ensemble is known for its combinations of jazz with other genres of music. They will be amazing Toronto audiences with their soothing and melodic instrumentals on Jan. 18 and 19 at the Harbourfront Centre Theatre. $25- $36; 416-973-4000.

– Get back to the 1960s when Rain: The Beatles Experience comes to the Hummingbird Centre, Jan. 18 to 21 and 25 to 28. $25-$36; Tickemaster.

– From the East Coast come Nova Scotia’s Matt Mays and El Torpedo with their good ol’ rock ‘n’ roll-style music. Jan. 20, early show (6:30 p.m.). $18.50, Mod Club; Ticketmaster.

– The proceeds of the Sing for South Asia concert will be donated to the International Development and Relief Fund. Featuring artists such as Noori, RDB, Zameer, Priya and more, the money will help the IDRF in its humanitarian aid missions around the world. Jan. 20, $TBA, Harbourfront Centre Theatre; 416-973- 4000.

– Two different chamber groups with separate takes on Mozart’s works go head to head in Beyond Mozart. The Gallery Players and Beyond the Pale both use Mozart as their inspiration and will be playing their own versions of the composer’s classics. Jan. 21, $5-$15, The Music Gallery; 416-204-1080.

– Bob “Like a Rock” Seger and his Silver Bullet Band roll smoothly and wistfully into the ACC, Jan. 23. $85.50; Ticketmaster or ACC box office.

– Pop sensation Tal Bachman will be wooing Toronto fans this year with his romantic pop songs and emotional music. Jan. 23, $14-$16, Hugh’s Room; 416-531- 6604.

– Supernova – the band of Rockstar: Supernova fame and Tommy Lee’s latest endeavour – will rock Massey Hall, Jan. 24. $55.50-$95.50; Ticketmaster.

– Singer-turned-actor Justin Timberlake will be thrilling audiences on the screen as well as the stage this year. He plays the ACC with special guest Pink on Jan. 30. $64-$125; Ticketmaster.

FEBRUARY

– Mississauga-bred pop-rock quarter Billy Talent returns home to the ACC, Feb. 2. $25-$40; Ticketmaster.

– Five decades after beginning his career, Rod Stewart is still bewitching audiences with his famous hits and charming lyrics. Join the real-life knight as he works his English appeal at the ACC on Feb. 6. $53.25-$125; Ticketmaster.

– After a two-year hiatus, the Tragically Hip are back on the stage, following the release of their most recent record, World Container. They’ll be at the ACC with special guest Buck 65 on Feb. 8. $39.50-$75; Ticketmaster or ACC box office.

– The Oklahoma City fivesome Hinder channels the likes of Aerosmith and Bad Company, and brings the rock with every riff. At the Kool Haus. Feb. 10, $24.50; Ticketmaster.

– Grammy award-winning trumpeter Roy Hargrove returns, this time at the helm of the Roy Hargrove Quintet. Feb. 10, $39.50-$59.50; Massey Hall box office.

– Midlake, a band of five from the small Texas town of Denton, rolls into Lee’s Palace backing their latest album, the ’70s folk-infused The Trials of Van Occupanther. Feb. 12, $10; Ticketmaster.

– Hometown heroes and musical jesters, the five members of the collective known as the Barenaked Ladies bring their unique blend of infectious pop and brilliant musicianship the ACC, Feb. 16. $30-70; Ticketmaster.

– Wandering from port to port once more, the Gipsy Kings, France’s biggest- ever musical export, put in for the night at the Hummingbird Centre. Feb. 20, $42.50-$89.50; Ticketmaster.

– Internationally renowned songwriter and Canadian chanteuse Chantal Kreviazuk flies into Massey Hall with her husband and special guest, Raine Maida. Feb. 24, $35-$45; Ticketmaster.

– Serena Ryder charges into the the Mod Club. Feb. 24, $18.50; Ticketmaster.

– Guster brings instrumental creativity from Boston to the Phoenix Concert Theatre. Feb. 26, $20; Ticketmaster.

– A veteran singer, songwriter, composer, and actress with a career spanning four decades, Chava Alberstein is widely held to be one of the most accomplished artists to come out of Israel. Appearing at the George Weston Recital Hall, Feb. 27, $43-$50; Ticketmaster.

– Individually, the members of the Soweto Gospel Choir were among the best church singers around Soweto, South Africa. Collectively, the choir brings inspirational African gospel music to the world, with a stop at the Hummingbird Centre. Feb. 27 and 28, $35-$75; Ticketmaster.

– A Southern Californian rock outfit with a Christian-rock, socially aware vibe, Switchfoot plays the Guvernment, Feb. 28. $26.50; Ticketmaster.

MARCH

– Legendary folk trio of Peter, Paul and Mary blow gently into Toronto, Puff the Magic Dragon in tow, for an evening at Roy Thomson Hall. March 2, $49.50- $79.50; Roy Thomson Hall box office.

– Volatile electro-rock dance grooves that will make you shout are what Shout Out Out Out Out offer — and will deliver at Lee’s Palace. March 3, $13.50; Ticketmaster.

– The Irish Rovers, who came together in 1963, keep the joy going at Roy Thomson Hall on March 5. $29.50-$59.50; Roy Thomson Hall box office.

– More a gang than a band, sevenpiece Celtic punk rockers Flogging Molly roll into the Opera House to whip the crowd into a frenzy. March 6, $22.50; Ticketmaster.

– You’ll be dancing, even if you don’t feel like it, to Scissor Sisters at the Kool Haus. March 7, $25; Ticketmaster.

– Lucky for Toronto, Canadian Music Week happens here. With more than 500 acts playing in 44 spots across the city, there’s enough choice for the most discriminating – or indecisive – audiophile. March 7 to 10, $35; Ticketmaster.

– It’s still hip hop, but with a switch – in place of canned loops and beats are real instruments and a true live feel. The Gym Class Heroes play the Opera House with guests RXBandits, POS and k-os. March 9, $15; Ticketmaster.

– For music fans with a taste for more than hollow tunes and stripped-down sets, Meat Loaf serves up the right portions at the Hummingbird Centre on March 14 $67.65-$151.65; Ticketmaster.

– Modern jazz great Wynton Marsalis swings his way into Massey Hall. March 14, $39.50-$99.50; Massey Hall box office.

– Pop music’s self-proclaimed dirty girl (and undeniable talent), Christina Aguilera, pumps up the ACC with guests The Pussycat Dolls March 25, $55-$95; Ticketmaster and ACC box office.

– Canadian but otherwise classification-defying rock outfit Rheostatics hit Massey Hall. March 30, $29.50- $39.50; Massey Hall box office.

– Scottish rockers Snow Patrol blow into the Ricoh Coliseum. March 31, $39.50; Ticketmaster.

LATER …

Nelly Furtado, April 4, ACC $49.50-$59.50; Ticketmaster • Il Divo, April 9, Air Canada Centre $49.50-$125, Ticketmaster • Randy Bachman, Massey Hall, April 13, $39.50-$59.50 • The Blind Boys of Alabama, April 14, Massey Hall $49.50-$69.50 • The Kaiser Chiefs, April 18. The Kool Haus. $TBA, Ticketmaster • Buddy Guy, April 21, Massey Hall. $49.50-$69.50 • Ron Sexsmith, May 4, Massey Hall $29.50-$34.50. • Sonny Rollins, May 5, Massey Hall. $49.50-$89.50 • Gwen Stefani, May 30, ACC, $TBA.

NEED TICKETS?

For Ticketmaster, call 416-870-8000 or visit ticketmaster.ca. Air Canada Centre: Call 416-815-5500 or visit the box office at 40 Bay St., Ste. 400. All Massey Hall and Roy Thomson Hall tickets available by calling 416-872-4255 or visiting the Roy Thomson Hall box office at 60 Simcoe St.

National Post
Saturday, January 6, 2007 
Page: TO4 
Section: Toronto 
Byline: Philip Alves and Ashley Tonkens
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