Just like TikTok in the US after that so-called ban, we're back already! There's no weird propaganda to be had here — just stellar local live music. After World News, Amelia Maxwell, OOZ, Kingdom of Birds and co. put on unforgettable performances last week, the Class of 2025 concert series makes a triumphant one-and-done return, proudly supported by Mary Brown's Chicken.
The Garrison is the place to be in Toronto for the Friday (January 24) night event you can't miss, as a stacked lineup give us a crash course in a variety of shades of indie rock with pop-forward sensibilities.
January 24: The Garrison
Exclaim! New Faves alumni and proponents of all forms of gushing, 9Million began as the solo project of producer Matthew Tomasi before it expanded into a septet and became another beast entirely. Now, Tomasi and his bandmates are going into 2025 "living that entourage lifestyle 24/7," as their signature melding of textures from shoegaze's past, present and future continues to proliferate into sounds that can only be described as "really cool." (Speaking of, if you have any queries about who the hell Wild Side is, they're the people to ask.) 9Million are excited to witness the first-ever full-band mishi show, which — no pressure — could very well have the cultural impact of Anvil! The Story of Anvil.
Our second act with the word "hell" in the name of the series, the solo project of Adam LaFrambroise is poised to take us to another circle with a John Bradshaw Layfield-level knockout. Making "would-be stadium alt-rock but it's entrapped in the DAW," the artist will be releasing the full-length follow-up to last year's Soon We'll All Be Smoking EP in 2025 that's sure to deliver more lost-'90s-soft-rock-radio-hit timelessness and good-humoured modern pop grooves. LaFrambroise's bassist Nate firmly believes it would be best listened to on Neil Young's Pono.
From a world embattled by Toronto rent and the impossibility of returning to Grimes's pre-Elon era emerges mishi. By day, she's a costume assistant in film; by night, she makes holler-along, cathartic music akin to "if you found a mouse who was so sad and you gave him a guitar, distortion pedal and only one album to listen to forever: Jonas Brothers self-titled." Fresh off the release of her debut EP 111 spruce st, just hold on — mishi's on a roll. You won't want to miss her debut full-band performance with her besties at Class of 2025.
It's not just a phase, mom — Pillea are here to prove that you can still be emo in your 30s. Led by Micah Brown (and fuelled by his Breville Cafe Roma home espresso machine), the band have been had at work on earnest new power pop songs, which they're looking forward to releasing and performing live this year to build on the groundwork laid by the chugging, angsty 2024 single "No Rush." With Class Of, they're eager to "see a reflection of the local landscape" as they celebrate fellow emerging acts at the Garrison.
Get all of the info about this week's show and the rest of this year's Class Of concert series — presented in partnership with the City of Toronto's music office — by way of the Facebook event link. You can also get your hands on advance tickets through Showclix.
Next up: