2017 has been a busy year for marquee hip-hop releases, with records coming out from Kendrick Lamar, Jay-Z, Drake, 2 Chainz, Vince Staples, Migos, Young Thug, Future and a whole lot more. When a new album comes out from your favourite artist, it's only a matter of time before they make their way onto the road to bring you and the rest of their fans a show.
With that in mind, this week's edition of Can't Miss Concerts, from August 3 to 9, will keep hip-hop heads in good spirits, as there are a bunch of festivals hitting Canada that are loaded with great rappers. Of course, we wouldn't want to leave anyone out of the fun, so we've also included shows for fans of pop music, folk, indie rock and more.
Take a look at our picks below, then head over to our full Concert Listings page for all the shows we couldn't fit here.
Electric Eclectics
If you're looking for a rural getaway while catching some live music this week, Electric Eclectics has got you covered. Grounded in experimental music, this festival takes place on a farm overlooking Georgian Bay's scenic Big Head Valley, where you can spend your nights camping after a long day of live music. This year's lineup will see sets from Tim Hecker, Dreamcrusher, Yamantaka // Sonic Titan, Vallens, Doomsquad and more.
08/04-06/2017 Meaford, ON – The Funny Farm
Fleet Foxes
Folk-rock greats Fleet Foxes released the highly anticipated Crack Up earlier this year, exploring themes of the human condition in both a philosophical and personal sense, and now Toronto fans get the chance to see them play those songs live. The band will be headlining two back-to-back nights at Toronto's Massey Hall, with (Sandy) Alex G opening both shows.
08/04/2017 Toronto, ON – Massey Hall
08/05/2017 Toronto, ON – Massey Hall
Lady Gaga
After releasing the stripped-down, acoustic-oriented Joanne last year, and performing a stellar set at this year's Super Bowl halftime show, Lady Gaga has been on a winning streak as of late. Edmonton's "little monsters" will finally get a taste of her new songs live this week before the multi-talented singer makes her way south of the border to carry on the tour.
08/03/2017 Edmonton, AB – Rogers Place
Newfoundland and Labrador Folk Fest
After four decades of operation, Newfoundland and Labrador Folk Festival is still going strong on their mission to bring audiences and musicians closer together. The festival hosts open jam sessions with performers, on top of hosting coaching sessions with young musicians who want to get involved in the folk scene. This year, the festival will see sets from Sarah Harmer, Shred Kelly, Red Moon Road and more.
08/04-06/2017 St. John's, NL – Bannerman Park
One Love Music Festival
Western Canadian rap fans are in for a treat this week, as the One Love Music Festival is back for its third year — and they've brought along a stacked lineup of musicians. This year, you can see performances from the likes of Lauryn Hill, Migos, Anderson .Paak and the Free Nationals, Wu-Tang Clan member RZA and a bunch more.
08/04/2017 Calgary, AB – Max Bell Centre Festival Grounds
Osheaga
As one of Montreal's biggest festivals, Osheaga is an event music lovers look forward to every year. Whether it's folk artists, rappers or rock bands, Osheaga has a little something for everyone, and this year is no exception. The festival plays host to Lorde, the Weeknd, Run the Jewels, Danny Brown, Muse, Father John Misty, Die Antwoord, Crystal Castles and a ton more.
08/04-06/2017 Montreal, QC – Parc Jean-Drapeau
OVO Fest
Torontonians know that Drake practically runs the city, and this week he's taking over with his highly acclaimed OVO Fest for the eighth year in a row. This year, Drizzy is hosting an entirely local, OVO-signed lineup with PARTYNEXTDOOR, dvsn, Majid Jordan and Roy Woods. That said, he's brought out surprise guests like Kanye West, Jay-Z, Nicki Minaj and more in the past, so we're thinking Toronto might be in for another biggie this year. If you were lucky enough to score a ticket in the few minutes they were available before selling out, expect some big names to show up unannounced.
08/07/2017 Toronto, ON – Budweiser Stage
Sappyfest
Now in its 12th year of operation, New Brunswick's storied Sappyfest is a haven for independent musicians and art lovers. This year, the festival named Steven Lambke as the event's creative director, and he's put together a great lineup featuring the Courtneys, Weaves, Partner, Teenanger, Daniel Romano and a bunch more that you're not going to want to miss out on.
08/04-06/2017 Sackville, NB – Various Venues
Visit Exclaim!'s Concert Listings for more upcoming shows
With that in mind, this week's edition of Can't Miss Concerts, from August 3 to 9, will keep hip-hop heads in good spirits, as there are a bunch of festivals hitting Canada that are loaded with great rappers. Of course, we wouldn't want to leave anyone out of the fun, so we've also included shows for fans of pop music, folk, indie rock and more.
Take a look at our picks below, then head over to our full Concert Listings page for all the shows we couldn't fit here.
Electric Eclectics
If you're looking for a rural getaway while catching some live music this week, Electric Eclectics has got you covered. Grounded in experimental music, this festival takes place on a farm overlooking Georgian Bay's scenic Big Head Valley, where you can spend your nights camping after a long day of live music. This year's lineup will see sets from Tim Hecker, Dreamcrusher, Yamantaka // Sonic Titan, Vallens, Doomsquad and more.
08/04-06/2017 Meaford, ON – The Funny Farm
Fleet Foxes
Folk-rock greats Fleet Foxes released the highly anticipated Crack Up earlier this year, exploring themes of the human condition in both a philosophical and personal sense, and now Toronto fans get the chance to see them play those songs live. The band will be headlining two back-to-back nights at Toronto's Massey Hall, with (Sandy) Alex G opening both shows.
08/04/2017 Toronto, ON – Massey Hall
08/05/2017 Toronto, ON – Massey Hall
Lady Gaga
After releasing the stripped-down, acoustic-oriented Joanne last year, and performing a stellar set at this year's Super Bowl halftime show, Lady Gaga has been on a winning streak as of late. Edmonton's "little monsters" will finally get a taste of her new songs live this week before the multi-talented singer makes her way south of the border to carry on the tour.
08/03/2017 Edmonton, AB – Rogers Place
Newfoundland and Labrador Folk Fest
After four decades of operation, Newfoundland and Labrador Folk Festival is still going strong on their mission to bring audiences and musicians closer together. The festival hosts open jam sessions with performers, on top of hosting coaching sessions with young musicians who want to get involved in the folk scene. This year, the festival will see sets from Sarah Harmer, Shred Kelly, Red Moon Road and more.
08/04-06/2017 St. John's, NL – Bannerman Park
One Love Music Festival
Western Canadian rap fans are in for a treat this week, as the One Love Music Festival is back for its third year — and they've brought along a stacked lineup of musicians. This year, you can see performances from the likes of Lauryn Hill, Migos, Anderson .Paak and the Free Nationals, Wu-Tang Clan member RZA and a bunch more.
08/04/2017 Calgary, AB – Max Bell Centre Festival Grounds
Osheaga
As one of Montreal's biggest festivals, Osheaga is an event music lovers look forward to every year. Whether it's folk artists, rappers or rock bands, Osheaga has a little something for everyone, and this year is no exception. The festival plays host to Lorde, the Weeknd, Run the Jewels, Danny Brown, Muse, Father John Misty, Die Antwoord, Crystal Castles and a ton more.
08/04-06/2017 Montreal, QC – Parc Jean-Drapeau
OVO Fest
Torontonians know that Drake practically runs the city, and this week he's taking over with his highly acclaimed OVO Fest for the eighth year in a row. This year, Drizzy is hosting an entirely local, OVO-signed lineup with PARTYNEXTDOOR, dvsn, Majid Jordan and Roy Woods. That said, he's brought out surprise guests like Kanye West, Jay-Z, Nicki Minaj and more in the past, so we're thinking Toronto might be in for another biggie this year. If you were lucky enough to score a ticket in the few minutes they were available before selling out, expect some big names to show up unannounced.
08/07/2017 Toronto, ON – Budweiser Stage
Sappyfest
Now in its 12th year of operation, New Brunswick's storied Sappyfest is a haven for independent musicians and art lovers. This year, the festival named Steven Lambke as the event's creative director, and he's put together a great lineup featuring the Courtneys, Weaves, Partner, Teenanger, Daniel Romano and a bunch more that you're not going to want to miss out on.
08/04-06/2017 Sackville, NB – Various Venues
Visit Exclaim!'s Concert Listings for more upcoming shows