It's a pretty chill week for music in Canada; from August 13 to 19, our country will be home to festivals for folk-inclined wine lovers, easy-going reggae enthusiasts and art-crawl connoisseurs. We'll also experience the intricate rhymes of Earl Sweatshirt and the always laid-back essence of Mac DeMarco, among many others. Check out this unusually lax list of highlights and then head over to our concert listings to see what other shows you can hang loose at.
Calgary International Reggae Festival
For more than a decade, the Calgary International Reggae Festival has celebrated the genre by hosting the world's most influential reggae acts. That tradition will continue in 2015 with a lineup that includes Dutch artist Ziggi Recado, Jamaican veteran Tinga Stewart and Canadian-Nigerian vocalist Omolara Oyesiku. These renowned performers will be supported by the Steadies, Jay Douglas, FLO, Auresia, Bloom, House of David Gang and many others.
08/14-15/2015 Calgary, AB – Shaw Millennium Park
Earl Sweatshirt
Earlier this year, Earl Sweatshirt tweeted that he was "fucking around and not bulking up," and consequently postponed his Toronto and Montreal shows. However, the young MC bounced back quickly and will play the respective cities this week. If you're in the area, catch Earl dropping bits of Doris and the universally acclaimed I Don't Like Shit, I Don't Go Outside. The former Odd Future member is also bringing Queens rapper Remy Banks on the road to open the shows.
08/14/2015 Toronto, ON – Phoenix Concert Theatre
08/15/2015 Montreal, QC – Club Soda
Honey Jam
Honey Jam is a multicultural, multi-genre, all-female artist showcase that offers big awards; the Honey Jam Hookup Prize Pak and ensuing exposure has sparked careers for artists like Nelly Furtado and Jully Black, among others. The event will be hosted by Sarah Taylor, of MuchMusic fame, and will feature performances by DJ hustleGRL, Killa-Jewel, MelBoogie, Tasha Rozez, the Keys and lots of other ladies.
08/13/2015 Toronto, ON – The Mod Club
Interstellar Rodeo
The Interstellar Rodeo offers a sophisticated festival experience; in its inaugural year, the event will be serving fine wines and high-quality food to enjoy during performances by some of today's most masterful songwriters. The carefully selected lineup includes Sarah McLachlan, Hawksley Workman, Elliott BROOD, Blue Rodeo, Vance Joy, July Talk, Tanya Tagaq and many other talents.
08/14-16/2015 Winnipeg, AB – The Forks
TIME Festival
TIME Festival is happening on Saturday (August 15), and they've invited the right guests to throw a proper party. Rap-rave shock machine Die Antwoord are headlining the event, which will contrast a performance by our favourite merry troubadour, Mac DeMarco. Ariel Pink, BADBADNOTGOOD, Freddie Gibbs, Ryan Hemsworth, DIIV, Alison Wonderland, Tory Lanez, Tommy Kruise, Lobby and Elliott Vincent Jones will also be making appearances at the event.
08/15/2015 Toronto, ON – Fort York: Garrison Common
UP Fest
Sudbury music fans campaigned for and crowd-funded a festival in their downtown core, and their efforts led to the impressive UP Fest. The event will take place at seven venues across the city, with installations and other art forms woven in between the destinations. The Indiegogo-fuelled festival has collected A Tribe Called Red, Tanya Tagaq, Suuns, Rich Aucoin, Mozart's Sister, Doldrums, Doomsquad, Petra Glynt, Scattered Clouds and other artists for the inaugural evening.
08/13-15/2015 Sudbury, ON – Multiple Venues
Visit Exclaim!'s full Concert Listings for additional concerts and events
Calgary International Reggae Festival
For more than a decade, the Calgary International Reggae Festival has celebrated the genre by hosting the world's most influential reggae acts. That tradition will continue in 2015 with a lineup that includes Dutch artist Ziggi Recado, Jamaican veteran Tinga Stewart and Canadian-Nigerian vocalist Omolara Oyesiku. These renowned performers will be supported by the Steadies, Jay Douglas, FLO, Auresia, Bloom, House of David Gang and many others.
08/14-15/2015 Calgary, AB – Shaw Millennium Park
Earl Sweatshirt
Earlier this year, Earl Sweatshirt tweeted that he was "fucking around and not bulking up," and consequently postponed his Toronto and Montreal shows. However, the young MC bounced back quickly and will play the respective cities this week. If you're in the area, catch Earl dropping bits of Doris and the universally acclaimed I Don't Like Shit, I Don't Go Outside. The former Odd Future member is also bringing Queens rapper Remy Banks on the road to open the shows.
08/14/2015 Toronto, ON – Phoenix Concert Theatre
08/15/2015 Montreal, QC – Club Soda
Honey Jam
Honey Jam is a multicultural, multi-genre, all-female artist showcase that offers big awards; the Honey Jam Hookup Prize Pak and ensuing exposure has sparked careers for artists like Nelly Furtado and Jully Black, among others. The event will be hosted by Sarah Taylor, of MuchMusic fame, and will feature performances by DJ hustleGRL, Killa-Jewel, MelBoogie, Tasha Rozez, the Keys and lots of other ladies.
08/13/2015 Toronto, ON – The Mod Club
Interstellar Rodeo
The Interstellar Rodeo offers a sophisticated festival experience; in its inaugural year, the event will be serving fine wines and high-quality food to enjoy during performances by some of today's most masterful songwriters. The carefully selected lineup includes Sarah McLachlan, Hawksley Workman, Elliott BROOD, Blue Rodeo, Vance Joy, July Talk, Tanya Tagaq and many other talents.
08/14-16/2015 Winnipeg, AB – The Forks
TIME Festival
TIME Festival is happening on Saturday (August 15), and they've invited the right guests to throw a proper party. Rap-rave shock machine Die Antwoord are headlining the event, which will contrast a performance by our favourite merry troubadour, Mac DeMarco. Ariel Pink, BADBADNOTGOOD, Freddie Gibbs, Ryan Hemsworth, DIIV, Alison Wonderland, Tory Lanez, Tommy Kruise, Lobby and Elliott Vincent Jones will also be making appearances at the event.
08/15/2015 Toronto, ON – Fort York: Garrison Common
UP Fest
Sudbury music fans campaigned for and crowd-funded a festival in their downtown core, and their efforts led to the impressive UP Fest. The event will take place at seven venues across the city, with installations and other art forms woven in between the destinations. The Indiegogo-fuelled festival has collected A Tribe Called Red, Tanya Tagaq, Suuns, Rich Aucoin, Mozart's Sister, Doldrums, Doomsquad, Petra Glynt, Scattered Clouds and other artists for the inaugural evening.
08/13-15/2015 Sudbury, ON – Multiple Venues
Visit Exclaim!'s full Concert Listings for additional concerts and events
