As with all venue-based music festivals, the number of musicians and bands can be somewhat overwhelming. I mean that in the best way possible. On the one hand, it’s an exciting chance to find new music and stay up until the sun rises. I personally love the franticness of it all – bouncing back and forth between venues, taking the streetcar the wrong way, getting to see some friends and dragging them along with you. But on the other hand, you look at the schedule and see hundreds of artists of all stripes scattered across the schedule. It can really leave you scratching your head wondering what to do tonight, even though there are endless musicians to check out. Even die-hard music fans – the ones who sacrifice their own personal health to get into the shows they need to see and crave new music all the time – they don’t know lots of the scheduled acts.
So here’s a completely unexhaustive list of some great shows going on tonight that won’t disappoint. I realize there are so many other great shows happening too, but these are the ones that jumped out at me. I strongly recommend looking at the schedule for more!
NOTE: I haven’t included the artists who are performing at the SiriusXM Indies tonight at Kool Haus, because it is sold out.
CMW – FRIDAY, MARCH 22
Andy Shauf
What: Alberta Music and Saskmusic Presents
Where: Gladstone Hotel (North Ballroom – 1214 Queen St. W.)
When: 8:00 PM
The Zolas
What: Collective Concerts Presents
Where: Horseshoe Tavern (370 Queen St. W.)
When: 8:30 PM
Acres of Lions
Where: Tranzac Club (Back Room – 292 Brunswick Ave.)
When: 8:30 PM
James and Blackburn
What: The Indie Machine Presents
Where: Annex Live (296 Brunswick Ave.)
When: 9:00 PM
Ben Caplan
What: Coalition Music Presents
Where: Rivoli (334 Queen St. W.)
When: 9:00 PM
Fire and Neon
Where: Clinton’s (693 Bloor St. W.)
When: 11:00 PM
The Wilderness of Manitoba
What: Exclaim! Presents POP GURU Anniversary Party
Where: Revival (783 College St.)
When: 11:00 PM
We Are Wolves
What: M for Montreal Presents
Where: Sneaky Dee’s (431 College St.)
When: 11:00 PM
Tim Chaisson
What: Music PEI Presents
Where: El Mocambo (Upstairs)
When: 12:30 AM
Grand Analog
What: Exclaim! Presents POP GURU Anniversary Party
Where: Revival (783 College St.)
When: 12:00 AM
Limblifter
What: Collective Concerts Presents
Where: Horseshoe Tavern (370 Queen St. W.)
When: 12:00 A
Mac DeMarco
What: M for Montreal Presents
Where: Sneaky Dee’s (431 College St.)
When: 1:00 AM
Wool on Wolves
What: Alberta Music and Saskmusic Presents
Where: Gladstone Hotel (North Ballroom – 1214 Queen St. W.)
When: 1:00 AM
Diamond Rings DJ Set
What: Monster Energy Presents: The Official SiriusXM Indies After Party
Where: Wrongbar (1279 Queen St. W.)
When: 1:30 AM
Birthday Girls
Where: Painted Lady (218 Ossington Ave.)
When: 2:00 AM
Bend Sinister
Where: The Hideout (484 Queen St. W.)
When: 2:00 AM