Press+1's Sarah Rix lists her Top 12 concerts from her hometown of Toronto.

Written and Photographed By Sarah Rix

Looking back at 2011, it’s clear the year was a great one for concerts in Toronto. Whether local favourites or internationally renowned acts, every week seemed ripe with live music choices. While it was impossible to see every great show that happened in the city – and there are a few I’m kicking myself for missing out on – behold my year-end “Best Of” list with the top 12 concerts (of the 115 I attended) of 2011.

12. STORNOWAY | May 24, El Mocambo

It’s so nice to see a young band play so unbelievably well. With one album under their belt (2010’s Beachcomber’s Windowsill) and another on the way, Stornoway’s indie folk tunes were captivating, catchy and memorable. In their second visit to Toronto, it was clear they were enjoying themselves and the set had fans walking away enthused about music. 

11. TWO DOOR CINEMA CLUB | September 17, Kool Haus

Alright, so I admit to being slightly biased about this one. One of my favourite bands playing on my birthday? I’m bound to be excited. But that aside, this concert showed big growth for the Northern Ireland electropop band, playing to a sold out Kool Haus. It was a far cry from Wrongbar (where they played in May 2010) and a lot of fun to dance to.

10. CUT COPY | April 7, Sound Academy

If I had any doubts about Cut Copy’s live set, it was immediately dashed at their April show at the Sound Academy, part of their tour supporting 2011’s Zonoscope. Sure, band member Tim Hoey at one point jumped off the stage, threw me into a headlock and forced me to sing, but I forgive him.

9. JASON COLLETT’S BASEMENT REVUE | December 20, The Dakota Tavern

A late edition to the list, but a much deserved one. Every Tuesday in December for the past five years, Jason Collett’s been hosting his “Basement Revue” series at the beloved Dakota Tavern. It’s quaint and intimate and this show was particularly nice because Collett’s Broken Social Scene band mates stepped up for some surprise side project sets. Brendan Canning, Kevin Drew (with Andy Kim), and Andrew Whiteman (in his AroarA side project) all took turns at the microphone to impress everyone lucky enough to be in the room. Also performing? Feist. And nothing quite beats seeing Feist play in a tiny basement.

8. BARRY MANILOW | August 26, Rexall Centre

Okay – before I lose all my credibility, hear me out! This show was really very good. Actually. There’s a reason why Barry Manilow has so many fans (or “Fanilows” if you prefer). And it wasn’t just music – the man was funny as well. Copacabana? Classic.

7. BRUCE PENINSULA & JENNIFER CASTLE | August 11, Lower Ossington Theatre (SummerWorks)

It’s nice to go to a show with low expectations and be absolutely blown away. Both Jennifer Castle and Bruce Peninsula did this. Castle was understated and brought the room to a silence with her Joni Mitchell-esque music and Bruce Peninsula filled the room with rip-roaring harmonies from its nine band members. 

6. DEVO | June 18, Yonge-Dundas Square (NXNE)

Sure, I got bashed in the head with one of Devo’s pom poms, but it was worth it. Outfit changes, choreographed dance moves and amazing stage presence made this a can’t-miss NXNE show. Even better? It was free and thousands of people took advantage of this, cramming Yonge-Dundas square to catch a glimpse of the new wave legends.

5. PRINCE | November 25, Air Canada Centre

What can you say about a Prince show that hasn’t already been said? The man knows how to entertain. Even after six encores (clocking the show in at over three hours) during the first stop on his Welcome 2 Canada tour, fans were begging for more. For anyone appreciative of music – whether familiar with Prince or not – this really was a can’t-miss show.

4. DAN MANGAN | July 20, Toronto Institute For The Enjoyment Of Music

At this secret show, Dan Mangan packed in a crowd, filling the tiny Toronto Institute For The Enjoyment Of Music. Late arrivals and curious onlookers looked in through the glass window, witnessing Mangan’s stellar set as he played old favourites and tunes from his then-unreleased album, 2011’s Oh Fortune. For the encore, the show spilled from the hot, sticky room to the sidewalk, with Mangan leading band and audience through an all-out sing-along. It was one of those moments where you really appreciate the city and Canadian music.

3. Janelle Monáe | March 12, Royal York Hotel (CMW Indie Awards)

It was hard to watch this set and not walk away a Janelle Monáe fan. On stage, Monáe and her band are energetic and completely shine. All eyes were on the 26 year-old R&B musician as she whipped through an energetic set in her signature tuxedo. By the end of it, she jumped into the audience, crowd surfing her way from one end of the room to the other. Overall, a complete triumph.

2. METRONOMY | November 19, The Mod Club

With glowing lights adorning their chests, the English four-piece played a fantastic set to an enthused crowd. The dance beats and moves, the falsettos and crowd reaction all hit their marks and left people humming “Radio Ladio” for days. Watching this set put a smile on my face and made me appreciate the band’s back catalogue a whole lot more.

1. THE BLACK KEYS | July 7, Molson Amphitheatre

Dan Auerbach and Patrick Carney are the biggest names in rock ‘n’ roll right now – and for good reason. Still touring 2010’s Brothers, the Ohio duo made the sold out Molson Amphitheatre feel like a small, sweaty club. They also attracted quite a diverse demographic, proving there really is a market for blues-rock. Yes, there’s a reason people like The Black Keys – they really are that good.

Honourable mentions:

ARETHA FRANKLIN | June 24, Metro Square (Toronto Jazz Festival)

Just about everyone and their mother showed up for this free show. It was packed – and for good reason.

BOMBAY BICYCLE CLUB | March 11, Lee’s Palace (CMW)

It was Bombay Bicycle Club’s first “electric” set in North America and their excitement showed. Watching the band and fans energetically bounce around to fun British indie rock was both entertaining and refreshing.

CHILDISH GAMBINO | May 16, The Opera House

While this was prior to the release of 2011’s Camp, Donald Glover still had enough material to throw down. When the Community star (he plays Troy) raps, it’s a dramatic change from “Guy I want to be best friends with and hug” to “Is he serious? Does he need a hug? 

DEATH FROM ABOVE 1979 | October 27, Sound Academy

It’s no surprise they sold out the Sound Academy for two nights and it was unbelievably nice to witness the first hometown reunion show from the duo.

ELBOW | September 28, Sound Academy

There was something just so uplifting about the Elbow show. It was also fun to see an older crowd participating as though they were 13 year-olds at a Justin Bieber concert. Guess the Elbow fans have been taking notes from their kids.

EMPIRE OF THE SUN | September 13, Sound Academy

While I wasn’t too familiar with the music (nor can I profess to being a big fan), the Australian band puts on one heck of an insane live show.

EXPLOSIONS IN THE SKY | October 7, Sound Academy

If this show by instrumental post-rockers Explosions In The Sky had been at any other venue, this would probably have made the list.

FLEET FOXES | July 14, Massey Hall

Massey Hall’s acoustics suited Fleet Foxes folk rock tunes and beautiful harmonies superbly.

HOLLERADO | June 16, Sky Bar (NXNE)

What’s more fun than a Hollerado show? A rooftop party Hollerado show.

Mötley Crüe | June 28, Molson Amphitheatre

Not my typical music choice, but Tommy Lee playing drums in that upside down spinning roller coaster type thing? How is that not impressive?

RICH AUCOIN | April 16, Kapisanan Phillippine Centre For Arts & Culture

Tucked away in a Kensington Market basement, Rich Aucoin showed why he’s one of the most energetic, charming musicians around. The rainbow parachute definitely helped.

STARS | June 18, Edward Day Gallery (NXNE)

What a difference from their stellar show the night before when they played to a packed Yonge-Dundas Square. Their “secret show” at the Edward Day Gallery was intimate and full of fan favourites.

Written by :

Sarah