Perhaps we jumped the gun last week when we announced the arrival of festival season. Not that there weren't any then, but there are definitely more this week (June 19 to 25), as our entire Can't Miss Concerts roundup is made up of them. For those seeking entertainment elsewhere, a look at our complete Concert Listings could help. However, it's not mere coincidence that fest resembles "feast," as there's plenty to satisfy your appetite for something musical here.
Amnesia Rockfest
Amnesia Rockfest calls itself "the largest rock festival in Canada," which really would be meaningless if the massive lineup wasn't filled with talent. Headliners such as Blink-182, Mötley Crüe (on their farewell tour), Weezer, Alice in Chains, Megadeth and Billy Talent will be joined by quality lineups for fans of any genre. Punks (NOFX, Alkaline Trio, the Misfits and Cock Sparrer) will meet metal heads (Mastodon, Meshuggah, Cannibal Corpse, Despised Icon, August Burns Red and Dying Fetus) and emotional rockers/pop-punkers (Taking Back Sunday, Brand New, the Used, New Found Glory, Title Fight and Gob) will clash with hardcore/metalcore (Strife, Judge, Merauder, 100 Demons, Counterparts and Liferuiner) for a festival that will definitely disprove its name; this will be a weekend you won't be able to forget.
06/20 Montebello, QC – Montebello Marina
06/21 Montebello, QC – Montebello Marina
North by Northeast
As a spinoff (at least in name) of South by Southwest, North by Northeast (NXNE) aims to deliver the same quality experience to Toronto that Austin, Texas gets from the former. The 2014 lineup uses diversity to its advantage, with St. Vincent, Spoon, Juicy J, Sleigh Bells, Danny Brown, Mac DeMarco, tUnE-yArDs, Metz, Swans, Thus Owls, Alvvays and more set to appear. Don't miss the Exclaim! showcase at Lee's Palace with GOAT, Absolutely Free, Golden Teachers, Zorch and Army Girls on June 20.
06/13-22 Toronto, ON – Various Venues
Tim Hortons Ottawa Dragon Boat Festival
The Tim Hortons Ottawa Dragon Boat Festival is the largest dragon boat festival on the continent. With a nationally beloved sponsor in tow, the celebration set sail to add equally adored artists to its programming. Stars, the Sheepdogs, Arkells, Down with Webster, Wildlife, Hey Ocean!, the Zolas and more will keep the musical side of the show afloat with free performances.
06/19-22 Ottawa, ON – Mooney's Bay Park
Sasktel Saskatchewan Jazz Festival
As the first of many jazz festivals on this roundup, the Sasktel Saskatchewan Jazz Festival sets the bar pretty high for those to follow. Common, St. Vincent, Arturo Sandoval, Tegan and Sara, Royal Canoe, Royal Wood, Colin James, Ms. Lauryn Hill, Mac DeMarco, Ben Harper and Charlie Mussel White, John Legend and Downchild Blues Band will be flanked by a massive lineup over the ten-day fest.
06/20-29 Saskatoon, SK – Various Venues
Sled Island
After the 2013 edition of Sled Island was cancelled due to flooding, the festival has declared, "Nobody rains on our parade," as their tagline. Spiritualized, Neko Case, Rocket from the Crypt, Touché Amoré, Mission of Burma, Chelsea Wolfe, Dan Deacon, Power Trip are only the tip of the umbrella that will protect this year's edition from soggy spirits.
06/18-22 Calgary, AB – Various Venues
TD Toronto Jazz Festival
The TD Toronto Jazz Festival holds the unique challenge of occurring during and directly after another fest, NXNE. Luckily, its jazzy lineup is distinct enough from its broader predecessor to succeed on its own. Buika, Keith Jarrett, Dianne Reeves, Roy Hargrove Quintet, Chaka Khan, David Clayton-Thomas, Measha Brueggergosman and Earth, Wind and Fire are among the performers.
06/19-28 Toronto, ON – Various Venues
TD Vancouver International Jazz Festival
The second TD-sponsored jazz event on this list, TD Vancouver International Jazz Festival, follows in the spirit of the Toronto edition. The lineup is once again not jazzclusive, instead inviting in leftfield performers such as Royal Canoe, Yamantaka // Sonic Titan and King Khan & the Shrines. However, "Don't Worry, Be Happy" as Bobby McFerrin, Arturo Sandoval, Maceo Parker, Cassandra Wilson and more will do their best to ensure this festival lives up to its name.
06/20-07/01 Vancouver, BC – Various Venues
Winnipeg Jazz Festival
Winnipeg Jazz Festival has already been running for a week, but it's ready to close out with a bang. An eclectic line-up, including Arturo Sandoval, Shad, John Legend, St. Vincent and more, is set to keep things bumping for the final four days.
06/12-22 Winnipeg, MB – Various Venues
For more shows headed your way, click over to Exclaim!'s Concert Listings.
Amnesia Rockfest
Amnesia Rockfest calls itself "the largest rock festival in Canada," which really would be meaningless if the massive lineup wasn't filled with talent. Headliners such as Blink-182, Mötley Crüe (on their farewell tour), Weezer, Alice in Chains, Megadeth and Billy Talent will be joined by quality lineups for fans of any genre. Punks (NOFX, Alkaline Trio, the Misfits and Cock Sparrer) will meet metal heads (Mastodon, Meshuggah, Cannibal Corpse, Despised Icon, August Burns Red and Dying Fetus) and emotional rockers/pop-punkers (Taking Back Sunday, Brand New, the Used, New Found Glory, Title Fight and Gob) will clash with hardcore/metalcore (Strife, Judge, Merauder, 100 Demons, Counterparts and Liferuiner) for a festival that will definitely disprove its name; this will be a weekend you won't be able to forget.
06/20 Montebello, QC – Montebello Marina
06/21 Montebello, QC – Montebello Marina
North by Northeast
As a spinoff (at least in name) of South by Southwest, North by Northeast (NXNE) aims to deliver the same quality experience to Toronto that Austin, Texas gets from the former. The 2014 lineup uses diversity to its advantage, with St. Vincent, Spoon, Juicy J, Sleigh Bells, Danny Brown, Mac DeMarco, tUnE-yArDs, Metz, Swans, Thus Owls, Alvvays and more set to appear. Don't miss the Exclaim! showcase at Lee's Palace with GOAT, Absolutely Free, Golden Teachers, Zorch and Army Girls on June 20.
06/13-22 Toronto, ON – Various Venues
Tim Hortons Ottawa Dragon Boat Festival
The Tim Hortons Ottawa Dragon Boat Festival is the largest dragon boat festival on the continent. With a nationally beloved sponsor in tow, the celebration set sail to add equally adored artists to its programming. Stars, the Sheepdogs, Arkells, Down with Webster, Wildlife, Hey Ocean!, the Zolas and more will keep the musical side of the show afloat with free performances.
06/19-22 Ottawa, ON – Mooney's Bay Park
Sasktel Saskatchewan Jazz Festival
As the first of many jazz festivals on this roundup, the Sasktel Saskatchewan Jazz Festival sets the bar pretty high for those to follow. Common, St. Vincent, Arturo Sandoval, Tegan and Sara, Royal Canoe, Royal Wood, Colin James, Ms. Lauryn Hill, Mac DeMarco, Ben Harper and Charlie Mussel White, John Legend and Downchild Blues Band will be flanked by a massive lineup over the ten-day fest.
06/20-29 Saskatoon, SK – Various Venues
Sled Island
After the 2013 edition of Sled Island was cancelled due to flooding, the festival has declared, "Nobody rains on our parade," as their tagline. Spiritualized, Neko Case, Rocket from the Crypt, Touché Amoré, Mission of Burma, Chelsea Wolfe, Dan Deacon, Power Trip are only the tip of the umbrella that will protect this year's edition from soggy spirits.
06/18-22 Calgary, AB – Various Venues
TD Toronto Jazz Festival
The TD Toronto Jazz Festival holds the unique challenge of occurring during and directly after another fest, NXNE. Luckily, its jazzy lineup is distinct enough from its broader predecessor to succeed on its own. Buika, Keith Jarrett, Dianne Reeves, Roy Hargrove Quintet, Chaka Khan, David Clayton-Thomas, Measha Brueggergosman and Earth, Wind and Fire are among the performers.
06/19-28 Toronto, ON – Various Venues
TD Vancouver International Jazz Festival
The second TD-sponsored jazz event on this list, TD Vancouver International Jazz Festival, follows in the spirit of the Toronto edition. The lineup is once again not jazzclusive, instead inviting in leftfield performers such as Royal Canoe, Yamantaka // Sonic Titan and King Khan & the Shrines. However, "Don't Worry, Be Happy" as Bobby McFerrin, Arturo Sandoval, Maceo Parker, Cassandra Wilson and more will do their best to ensure this festival lives up to its name.
06/20-07/01 Vancouver, BC – Various Venues
Winnipeg Jazz Festival
Winnipeg Jazz Festival has already been running for a week, but it's ready to close out with a bang. An eclectic line-up, including Arturo Sandoval, Shad, John Legend, St. Vincent and more, is set to keep things bumping for the final four days.
06/12-22 Winnipeg, MB – Various Venues
For more shows headed your way, click over to Exclaim!'s Concert Listings.
