This year was the first one since 2019 without any lockdowns, as well as far fewer cancellations than in recent years. The concert industry reflected this strength, producing the biggest tour of all time.
It wasn't all smooth sailing, of course: venue merch cuts remained a hot-button issue, and concerns over the ticketing industry enraged artists and fans alike.
Regardless, it was a year of incredible shows from some of the biggest and best in the biz — and Exclaim! was there to capture the best moments. Here are some of our favourite shots that our photographers captured in 2023.
Loviet
Toronto, ON
Monarch Tavern
Photo: Atsuko Kobasigawa
SZA
Toronto, ON
Scotiabank Arena, February 25
Photo: Stephen McGill
Weyes Blood
Vancouver, BC
Commodore Ballroom, March 21
Photo: Michaela DW
Kelela
Toronto, ON
The Opera House, March 24
Photo: Chris Gee
Caroline Polachek
Toronto, ON
Queen Elizabeth Theatre, April 17
Photo: Stephen McGill
Yves Tumor
Toronto, ON
History, May 9
Photo: Stephen McGill
Paramore
Toronto, ON
Scotiabank Arena, June 8
Photo: Stephen McGill
Daniel Romano's Outfit
Vancouver, BC
Rickshaw Theatre, June 15
Photo: Atsuko Kobasigawa
boygenius
Toronto, ON
Budweiser Stage, June 21
Photo: Karen K. Tran
Thundercat
Montreal, QC
Montreal Jazz Festival, July 5
Photo: Nadia Davoli
Sudan Archives
Halifax, NS
Halifax Jazz Festival, July 14
Photo: Richard Lann
Aquakultre
Sackville, NB
Sappyfest, August 6
Photo: Stephen McGill
Japanese Breakfast
Montreal, QC
Osheaga, August 6
Photo: Kamara Morozuk
Patti Smith
Toronto, ON
Budweiser Stage, August 20
Photo: Matt Forsythe
Arctic Monkeys
Toronto, ON
Budweiser Stage, August 30
Photo: Stephen McGill
Marc Rebillet
Victoria, BC
Rifflandia, September 15
Photo: Joshua Peter Grafstein
DEBBY FRIDAY
Toronto, ON
Polaris Music Prize Gala, September 19
Photo: Matt Forsythe
Janelle Monáe
Toronto, ON
Massey Hall, September 21
Photo: Stephen McGill
Wu-Tang Clan
Calgary, AB
Scotiabank Saddledome, October 14
Photo: Em Medland-Marchen
Fugees
Toronto, ON
Scotiabank Arena, October 26
Photo: Stephen McGill
The Beaches
Edmonton, AB
Midway Music Hall, November 8
Photo: Dana Zuk
KISS
Edmonton, AB
Rogers Place, November 10
Photo: Dana Zuk
Yeah Yeah Yeahs
Toronto, ON
History, November 11
Photo: Stephen McGill
It wasn't all smooth sailing, of course: venue merch cuts remained a hot-button issue, and concerns over the ticketing industry enraged artists and fans alike.
Regardless, it was a year of incredible shows from some of the biggest and best in the biz — and Exclaim! was there to capture the best moments. Here are some of our favourite shots that our photographers captured in 2023.
Loviet
Toronto, ON
Monarch Tavern
Photo: Atsuko KobasigawaSZA
Toronto, ON
Scotiabank Arena, February 25
Photo: Stephen McGillWeyes Blood
Vancouver, BC
Commodore Ballroom, March 21
Photo: Michaela DWKelela
Toronto, ON
The Opera House, March 24
Photo: Chris GeeCaroline Polachek
Toronto, ON
Queen Elizabeth Theatre, April 17
Photo: Stephen McGillYves Tumor
Toronto, ON
History, May 9
Photo: Stephen McGillParamore
Toronto, ON
Scotiabank Arena, June 8
Photo: Stephen McGillDaniel Romano's Outfit
Vancouver, BC
Rickshaw Theatre, June 15
Photo: Atsuko Kobasigawaboygenius
Toronto, ON
Budweiser Stage, June 21
Photo: Karen K. TranThundercat
Montreal, QC
Montreal Jazz Festival, July 5
Photo: Nadia DavoliSudan Archives
Halifax, NS
Halifax Jazz Festival, July 14
Photo: Richard LannAquakultre
Sackville, NB
Sappyfest, August 6
Photo: Stephen McGillJapanese Breakfast
Montreal, QC
Osheaga, August 6
Photo: Kamara MorozukPatti Smith
Toronto, ON
Budweiser Stage, August 20
Photo: Matt ForsytheArctic Monkeys
Toronto, ON
Budweiser Stage, August 30
Photo: Stephen McGillMarc Rebillet
Victoria, BC
Rifflandia, September 15
Photo: Joshua Peter GrafsteinDEBBY FRIDAY
Toronto, ON
Polaris Music Prize Gala, September 19
Photo: Matt ForsytheJanelle Monáe
Toronto, ON
Massey Hall, September 21
Photo: Stephen McGillWu-Tang Clan
Calgary, AB
Scotiabank Saddledome, October 14
Photo: Em Medland-MarchenFugees
Toronto, ON
Scotiabank Arena, October 26
Photo: Stephen McGillThe Beaches
Edmonton, AB
Midway Music Hall, November 8
Photo: Dana ZukKISS
Edmonton, AB
Rogers Place, November 10
Photo: Dana ZukYeah Yeah Yeahs
Toronto, ON
History, November 11
Photo: Stephen McGill
