Toronto concert calendar: The 24 shows we're most excited to see this fall

Usher

Sept. 2 and 3 @ Scotiabank Arena

It’s hard to believe that Usher has been making music for three decades now, but if his recent Super Bowl halftime performance was any indication, he’s still got it. After wrapping up a 100-show residency in Las Vegas, the ageless R&B wonder is hitting the road for his first North American venture in eight years. 

Titled the “Past Present Future” tour, Usher fans can expect a career-spanning set, with plenty of cuts from “Confessions” — the 14-times platinum album that celebrated its 20th anniversary last spring. 

Tems 

Sept. 7 @ History

How can one describe the voice of Temilade Openiyi, the Nigerian singer-songwriter known as Tems? Majestic? Awe-inspiring? Transfixing? On her debut studio album, “Born in the Wild,” Tems yields her mighty instrument with supreme confidence, exploring her meteoric rise to fame on tracks like “Burning,” and showing off her sense of humour on the ballad “Boy O Boy” — “Sometimes I wanna choke you out,” she croons over hushed electric guitar. Moving between lush R&B and Afropop, Tems does her own thing and she does it well. Don’t miss her first venture into Canada.

Future Tense

Sept. 7 @ 1655 Dupont Courtyard

An outdoor benefit show for the West End Phoenix — a community newspaper in Toronto — Future Tense will be hosted by the paper’s publisher Dave Bidini (who is also the frontman of the Canadian rock band Rheostatics) and sportscasting legend Ron MacLean, and will feature performances by the “Electro Phoenix” band — a one-night-only local supergroup made that includes Jason Collett, Charlotte Cornfield, Terra Lightfoot, Jon Gallant of Billy Talent and many others. 

Polaris Music Prize Gala

Sept. 17 @ Massey Hall

If you’re a fan of independent Canadian music, you’re going to want to snatch a ticket to the Polaris Music Prize Gala at Massey Hall. This year’s event will feature short performances from some of the country’s finest artists, including Charlotte Cardin, Jeremy Dutcher, BAMBII, Elisapie, DijahSB, NOBRO, TOBi, plus a performance by the Beaches lead vocalist Jordan Miller and the Thunder Queens (that’s an insanely good lineup!). You’ll also get to witness the excitement as one of the 10 shortlisted artists takes home the night’s big prize for the best Canadian album of the year (plus a cool $50,000).

Charli xcx and Troye Sivan

Sept. 18 @ Scotiabank Arena

“Brat summer” may be over — the fleeting, nebulous phenomenon inspired by Charli xcx’s acclaimed new album came to an ignominious conclusion the moment it was absorbed into the official communication strategy of the Democrats (no, Nancy Pelosi is not “brat”) — but its chaotic, hedonistic spirit lives on among the English pop star’s diehard fans. 

Those diehards will be out in full force for Charli’s “Sweat” tour, which she is co-headlining with Australian pop singer Troye Sivan. It’s a big but well-deserved leap from Massey Hall, where Charli performed in 2022. Expect a lot of dancing, a lot of screaming and plenty of gnarly electronic freak-outs. 

The War on Drugs and the National

Sept. 20 @ Budweiser Stage

To mark the end of summer, thousands of aging millennial men and Gen Xers (plus some women and a spattering of curious Swifites) will descend upon Budweiser Stage to see the War on Drugs and the National. This is a hell of a one-two punch — few live acts can fill an outdoor amphitheatre with sound quite like the War On Drugs, a heartland rock band known for their transcendent, psychedelic jams; and few live acts pack an emotional punch quite like “sad dads” of the National, a band known for their brooding anthems of middle age heartbreak and loneliness. 

I’ve seen both multiple times and they’ve always blown me away. A chance to see them perform back-to-back seems too good to be true. 

Sabrina Carpenter with Amaarae

Sept. 25 @ Scotiabank Arena

Few artists had a bigger year than Sabrina Carpenter, the former Disney Channel actor who rose to the upper echelons of pop stardom with a string of irresistible megahits, including “Espresso,” “Please Please Please,” and, most recently, “Taste.” She’ll celebrate that success with the “Short n’ Sweet” tour, which arrives in Toronto at the end of September. “‘Short n’ Sweet’ will tour well,” wrote Aisling Murphy in her recent review of Carpenter’s sixth studio album. “It’s easy to imagine an army of young women, clad in hair bows, scream-singing ‘Sharpest Tool’ at Scotiabank Arena — and the album boasts deep cuts as strong as its inevitable singles, songs likely to grow with their listeners over the years.” 

Kaytranada

Sept. 27 @ Budweiser Stage

Get your dancing shoes out. Kaytranada is heading to the Budweiser Stage for what will be the Canadian electronic producer’s biggest Toronto show ever. 

Since his debut album won the Polaris Prize in 2016, Kaytra has emerged from the Montreal underground to become one of the most-sought after producers in hip-hop, lending his dance-oriented beats to artists like Aminé, Ty Dolla $ign, Snoop Dogg, JID and others. He will be supported by rapper and DJ Channel Tres, one of the several guests who appeared on Kaytra’s star-studded album “Timeless,” which arrived in June. 

Luna Li 

Sept. 28 @ Danforth Music Hall 

Toronto indie pop singer Luna Li is on tour in support of her sophomore album, “When a Thought Grows Wings,” which she describes as her most vulnerable and personal album to date. The album was recorded in Los Angeles, where Li moved last summer. Returning to Toronto to perform at the Danforth, she recently told the Star, marks a career highlight. “I miss the Toronto music scene, local shows and just spending time with people here,” she said. “I try to come back a lot and make time to visit.”

Mk.gee 

Oct. 1 @ History

Don’t sleep on Mk.gee. Beloved among zoomers but still relatively unknown to mainstream audiences, the New Jersey artist born Michael Todd Gordon is one of the most promising acts in the world of indie rock. Mk.gee’s latest release, “Two Star & the Dream Police,” is a great showcase of his unique style of songwriting and production, a mist-covered blend of lo-fi psychedelia, R&B and classic rock. 

But it’s Gordon’s innovative approach to guitar — performing live, he cranks his instrument up to 11, so you can feel each of the hazy, distorted notes in your bones — that makes him stand out from his peers, so much so that even the infamously curmudgeonly guitar god Eric Clapton has taken notice, comparing his discovery of Gordon to the first time he saw Prince: “It’s unique. He has found things to do on the guitar that are like nobody else,” Clapton said. “The same when I first saw Prince, it was like we’re safe. Just to know it’s there is enough.”

Billie Eilish 

Oct. 1 and Oct. 2 @ Scotiabank Arena

Billie-heads rejoice! The 22-year-old pop is brining her massive “Hit Me Hard and Soft” tour to Toronto for two nights in support of her recent solo album, which, according to a recent 4-star review in the Star, “boasts a self-assured complexity that ought to solidify the record as a timeless hit.” 

Eilish’s tour has partnered with the environmental non-profit REVERB to include number of sustainability initiatives aimed at reducing greenhouse gas pollution, decreasing single-use plastic waste, supporting climate action, and updating concession offerings to promote and encourage plant-based food options. Bonus points!

Fred Again

Oct. 3 and Oct. 4 @ Scotiabank Arena

There are very few producers or DJs capable of selling out an arena for a single night, let alone two nights. But there’s something about Fred Again that just gets the kids going. The English artist, who famously closed out Coachella in 2023 alongside producers Skrillex and Four Tet, will arrive in Toronto for two nights just a few weeks after the arrival of his new album “Ten Days,” which arrives early September, is jam-packed with a diverse group of features, including, Sampha, Anderson. Paak, Emmylou Harris, Joy Anonymous and many others.

Nilüfer Yanya

Oct. 5 @ Phoenix Concert Theatre

The English singer-songwriter, whose smoky, ethereal voice and innovative guitar playing has made her a key figure in the women-led rock revival, is on tour this fall in support of her upcoming record “My Method Actor,” which arrives Sept. 13.

Fontaines D.C. 

Oct. 11 @ Queen Elizabeth Theatre

Go see Fontaines D.C. at a small venue while you still can. With the release of their fourth studio album, “Romance,” the Irish post-punk band seems poised to “tip over into festival headlining, arena-packing territory,” at least according to critics on the other side of the pond. One thing’s for sure though, it’ll be a sweaty good time at the Queen Elizabeth Theatre next month. 

Air

Oct. 12 @ Massey Hall

Fresh off their appearance at the Paris Olympics Closing Ceremony, the French electronic pop duo is embarking on a North American tour to celebrate the 25th anniversary of “Moon Safari,” a seminal, boundary-pushing “space pop” album that they will play in its entirety for the first time ever.

Anohni and the Johnsons

Oct. 15 @ Massey Hall

The renowned English singer-songwriter is tour North American for the first time since 2016, and for the first time with her band the Johnsons in 14 years. “I feel like I want to sing for people, to affirm that these times are unprecedented, and to hold and express a sense of what’s really happening,” Anohni said in a press statement, making reference to the themes of 2023’s “My Back Was a Bridge for You to Cross,” a soulful protest album about finding hope at the end of the world. 

Dehd with This is Lorelei 

Oct. 17 @ Lee’s Palace

Two of the most exciting indie rock bands are joining forces for what will be raucous double-bill at Lee’s Palace in October. Dehd — a feel-good garage rock trio from Chicago — released the excellent album “Poetry” back in May, while This is Lorelei — the solo project of Nate Amos from the band Water From Your Eyes — released their highly infectious full-length debut in June. Seeing these bands together in such a small and intimate venue will be an absolute delight.

MJ Lenderman

Oct. 19 @ Lee’s Palace

MJ Lenderman, the 25-year-old singer-songwriter (who also plays guitar in the beloved indie country/shoegaze band Wednesday), won’t be performing at small venues like Lee’s Palace for much longer. The hype surrounding his upcoming album “Manning Fireworks,” which arrives Sept. 6, has reached astronomical levels, even sparking mumblings about the Return of Rock Music. Featuring crunchy riffs, catchy hooks and surprisingly literary lyrics, there’s good reason to be excited about the lad. Get in on the ground floor while you still can.

Vince Staples

Oct. 23 @ History

Over the course of his career, California rapper Vince Staples has garnered acclaim for his raw, honest lyricism, blending evocative portraits of his wayward youth with biting cultural commentary. He’s also proven to be one of hip-hop’s most innovative figures, experimenting with sounds and esthetics, moving between West Coast hip-hop and cloud rap, while dipping his toes into hyperpop and electronic music. Staples will arrive in Toronto in support of his most recent album, “Dark Times,” which arrived in the spring.

Clairo 

Oct. 23 @ Massey Hall

Released in July, “Charm” — the third album from Atlanta-based indie pop singer-songwriter — is “a master-class in modern but reflective music, hearkening back to ’70s-inspired pop grooves with a smooth layer of Clairo’s characteristic soul,” writes Ron Harris in an recent review for The Associated Press. “Clairo fans are likely to love this release. Newcomers to her music will be glad they found her.” Tough to think of a better venue for Clairo than Massey Hall, with its cosy atmosphere and plush seats. 

Elyanna 

Oct. 28 @ Rebel

Palestinian-Chilean singer-songwriter Elyanna first made international waves in the spring of 2023, when she became the first first artist to perform a set at Coachella entirely in Arabic. A year and a half later, she’s become one of the most in-demand global stars — in June, she joined Coldplay on the main stage of Glastonbury to perform several songs, including a new track with rapper Little Simz. That’s a big deal for a 22-year-old from Nazareth, whose stellar debut album, “Woledto” arrived in April. 

It’s only been a few months since Elyanna performed a sold-out show at the Opera House in Toronto, but she’ll return at the end of October for another gig at Rebel. Expect a long line to get into the venue and a sea of kaffiyehs.

Bruce Springsteen and the E Street Band

Nov. 3 and 6 @ Scotiabank Arena

Bruuuuuuce!! What else needs to be said? At the ripe age of 74, the Boss and his legendary band are finally returning to Toronto for two arena dates, over a year after the gigs were postponed due to a health issue (and nearly nine years since he last graced the city). 

Known as one of the greatest live acts in the history of rock, it’s been notoriously difficult (and prohibitively expensive) to secure tickets for this tour, but fret not: Bruce has no plans to slow down — “We ain’t quitting,” he recently told an audience in Philadelphia. “We ain’t doing no farewell tour bullsh — t!”

Godspeed You! Black Emperor

November 5 @ The Concert Hall

Earlier this week, the Canadian post-rock titans announced that their first record in over three years will be arriving on Oct. 4. The album, “No Title as of 13 February 2024 28,340 Dead,” makes reference to the death toll in Gaza, which as of writing has surpassed 40,000. The band, which has never shied away from politics, shared a statement about the record: “NO TITLE= what gestures make sense while tiny bodies fall? what context? what broken melody? and then a tally and a date to mark a point on the line, the negative process, the growing pile.”

GY! BE will bring their legendary live show to The Concert Hall in November.

Taylor Swift 

Nov. 14 to 16, Nov. 21 to 23 @ Rogers Centre

Have you heard the news? Pop music superstar Taylor Swift is bringing her record-smashing, career-spanning, inflation-causing Eras Tour to Toronto for a sold-out six-show run at Rogers Centre. The city will welcome Swift and her fans by designating the path between Nathan Phillips Square and the arena “Taylor Swift Way” for the month of November, continuing the trend of cities around the world honouring a visit from the pop star. 

If you’ve managed to get a ticket, congrats and enjoy! If you were unable to secure one, might I suggest booking a holiday out of town for the duration?