As July rolls over to August, the new month brings a fresh wave of talent to Canadian shores. So, as we do every week, we've picked the best of them to help you plan your show-going week. Read on to see our picks for the best shows, which include the Tragically Hip's farewell tour, the summer vibes of Whitney and the 6ix jam that is Drake's OVO Fest. If you're still thirsting for more, be sure check out our complete Concert Listings for many more must-see concerts and events.
Jay Arner
Coming into this year, Jay Arner was a promising singer-songwriter who nevertheless showed room to grow. With Jay II, the Vancouver indie-rocker silenced the doubters; it's a delightful guitar-pop offering with Krautrock undercurrents that's as complex as it is catchy. Come see the fruits of Arner's labour for yourself at one of the dates below.
07/28/2016 Halifax, NS – Gus Pub and Grill
07/31/2016 Sackville, NB – Sappyfest MainStage Tent
07/31/2016 Charlottetown, PE – Baba's
08/02/2016 Moncton, NB – Plan B
George Street Festival
Canadian stars past and present will descend on St. John's for the city's annual George Street Festival. Those taking their talents to the city this year include alternative treasures Our Lady Peace, classic rock heroes April Wine and indie rock favourites Arkells and July Talk — not a bad way to spend a couple of days in the heart of St. John's.
07/28-08/03/2016 St. John's, NL – George Street
Osheaga
Over the past 11 years, Osheaga has garnered a reputation for collecting the biggest stars music has to offer in Parc Jean-Drapeau. This year appears to be no different, with performances by alternative regents Radiohead, funk-rock party animals Red Hot Chili Peppers and melancholia queen Lana Del Rey set to wow Montreal audiences once again. There's a reason people show up from all over Canada.
07/29-31/2016 Montreal, QC – Parc Jean-Drapeau
OVO Fest
Each summer, the 6ix God gathers his subjects in Toronto to bask in another triumphant year gone by. 2016 has been perhaps the most triumphant year yet for the Toronto rapper, with VIEWS shattering streaming records across the globe. With guests like Snoop Dogg and Wiz Khalifa, it's going to be quite the celebration. Let's see if he can top last year's public execution of Meek Mill.
07/31-08/1/2016 Toronto, ON – Air Canada Centre
Sappyfest
Despite its unflattering name, the musicians coming to New Brunswick this year for the legendary Sappyfest are anything but histrionic. Touching down in Sackville this year are blissed out rockers Nap Eyes, East Coast supergroup Weird Lines and hip-hop marauder Cakes da Killa, so if you do end up tearing up, you're fully justified.
07/29-31/2016 Sackville, NB – Multiple Venues
Snoop Dogg
Fresh off Coolaid, a return to the West Coast rapper's G-funk roots, Snoop is set to bring his gangsta grooves to Toronto this week for OVO Fest. If there's anyone who can steal the show from Drake this year, it's the Doggfather himself.
07/29/2016 Toronto, ON – Molson Canadian Amphitheatre
The Tragically Hip
The Tragically Hip's farewell tour stops in the Prairies this week for four emotionally charged shows. If you've never seen the wheat kings in person over the years, do yourself a favour and check them out at one of the dates below.
07/28/2016 Edmonton, AB – Rexall Place
07/30/2016 Edmonton, AB – Rexall Place
08/01/2016 Calgary, AB – Scotiabank Saddledome
08/03/2016 Calgary, AB – Scotiabank Saddledome
Whitney
Whitney delivered one the surprise hits of the year with Light Upon the Lake, an album of charming, breezy, summer pop/rock jams. Now, the Chicago outfit's heading out on the road to showcase their sound to a whole new, broadened audience. If you're in Vancouver this week, this one's definitely worth seeing.
08/01/2016 Vancouver, BC – The Cobalt
Head to Exclaim!'s full Concert Listings for many more concerts and events.
Jay Arner
Coming into this year, Jay Arner was a promising singer-songwriter who nevertheless showed room to grow. With Jay II, the Vancouver indie-rocker silenced the doubters; it's a delightful guitar-pop offering with Krautrock undercurrents that's as complex as it is catchy. Come see the fruits of Arner's labour for yourself at one of the dates below.
07/28/2016 Halifax, NS – Gus Pub and Grill
07/31/2016 Sackville, NB – Sappyfest MainStage Tent
07/31/2016 Charlottetown, PE – Baba's
08/02/2016 Moncton, NB – Plan B
George Street Festival
Canadian stars past and present will descend on St. John's for the city's annual George Street Festival. Those taking their talents to the city this year include alternative treasures Our Lady Peace, classic rock heroes April Wine and indie rock favourites Arkells and July Talk — not a bad way to spend a couple of days in the heart of St. John's.
07/28-08/03/2016 St. John's, NL – George Street
Osheaga
Over the past 11 years, Osheaga has garnered a reputation for collecting the biggest stars music has to offer in Parc Jean-Drapeau. This year appears to be no different, with performances by alternative regents Radiohead, funk-rock party animals Red Hot Chili Peppers and melancholia queen Lana Del Rey set to wow Montreal audiences once again. There's a reason people show up from all over Canada.
07/29-31/2016 Montreal, QC – Parc Jean-Drapeau
OVO Fest
Each summer, the 6ix God gathers his subjects in Toronto to bask in another triumphant year gone by. 2016 has been perhaps the most triumphant year yet for the Toronto rapper, with VIEWS shattering streaming records across the globe. With guests like Snoop Dogg and Wiz Khalifa, it's going to be quite the celebration. Let's see if he can top last year's public execution of Meek Mill.
07/31-08/1/2016 Toronto, ON – Air Canada Centre
Sappyfest
Despite its unflattering name, the musicians coming to New Brunswick this year for the legendary Sappyfest are anything but histrionic. Touching down in Sackville this year are blissed out rockers Nap Eyes, East Coast supergroup Weird Lines and hip-hop marauder Cakes da Killa, so if you do end up tearing up, you're fully justified.
07/29-31/2016 Sackville, NB – Multiple Venues
Snoop Dogg
Fresh off Coolaid, a return to the West Coast rapper's G-funk roots, Snoop is set to bring his gangsta grooves to Toronto this week for OVO Fest. If there's anyone who can steal the show from Drake this year, it's the Doggfather himself.
07/29/2016 Toronto, ON – Molson Canadian Amphitheatre
The Tragically Hip
The Tragically Hip's farewell tour stops in the Prairies this week for four emotionally charged shows. If you've never seen the wheat kings in person over the years, do yourself a favour and check them out at one of the dates below.
07/28/2016 Edmonton, AB – Rexall Place
07/30/2016 Edmonton, AB – Rexall Place
08/01/2016 Calgary, AB – Scotiabank Saddledome
08/03/2016 Calgary, AB – Scotiabank Saddledome
Whitney
Whitney delivered one the surprise hits of the year with Light Upon the Lake, an album of charming, breezy, summer pop/rock jams. Now, the Chicago outfit's heading out on the road to showcase their sound to a whole new, broadened audience. If you're in Vancouver this week, this one's definitely worth seeing.
08/01/2016 Vancouver, BC – The Cobalt
Head to Exclaim!'s full Concert Listings for many more concerts and events.
