Watch Rising Toronto Talent Cover Their Favourite Artists in the Class of T.O. Video Series

The videos, filmed at Toronto's Monarch Tavern, feature covers of acts like Mazzy Star, Blur, Portishead and more

BY Matt BobkinPublished Aug 20, 2020

Musicians may be keeping the spirit of concerts alive with livestreamed shows from their homes, but nothing beats a good ol' fashioned set from a cozy local venue. To help fill the void, Exclaim! and Toronto concert promoter Dan Burke have teamed up for the Class of T.O. Concert Series, featuring local rising acts playing some songs at the Monarch Tavern (plus a special performance from Montreal's Hanorah).

Each of the participants, including For Jane, Mother Tongues, NYSSA, Komodo, Lea Reto of Witchrot and Jesse Crowe of Beliefs, arrived at the Monarch wearing their face masks, entering the venue one act at a time to create a socially distanced environment, playing solely to the film crew capturing each set. Since the mandatory face masks conjured dress-up vibes, the bands honoured their annual Halloween tradition of performing covers of their favourite artists like Mazzy Star, Blur, Broadcast, Psychedelic Furs, Portishead, Amy Winehouse and the Replacements.

You can catch the entire series on youtube.com/exclaimtv, and here on Exclaim! starting on August 25. Keep scrolling past the schedule for a teaser.

Exclaim! would like to thank the City of Toronto and Great Lakes Brewery for their support.

Schedule:

08/25 Lea Reto and friends – Mazzy Star
08/27 For Jane – Blur
09/01 Mother Tongues – Broadcast 
09/03 NYSSA – Psychedelic Furs
09/08 Jesse Crowe and Julia Wittmann – Portishead
09/10 Hanorah – Amy Winehouse
09/15 Komodo – The Replacements

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