Events

Local reggae king Exco Levi busy uplifting and uniting

Multiple Juno-winning performer, with local shows over the weekend, is working hard to raise commercial profile of a genre that ‘plays in every continent.’ Nick Krewen, Music,  Sat., August 5, 2017 You’d think with five Juno Awards to his credit, Exco Levi would be a household name by now. After all, the 36-year-old Manchester, Jamaica native — who now calls Brampton home — has dominated the Juno Reggae Recording of…


Ten acts to check out at WayHome festival — beyond the headliners

Before the sun goes down and the headliners come out, here are some less-famous worthies to check out at the WayHome Festival this weekend. Nick Krewen Music, Thu., July 27, 2017 Music festivals have been trimming their sails and spending carefully on performers lately, but the third edition of WayHome — the Burl’s Creek-based, three-day music fest that drew 35,000 people last year — has hung on to headliners that…


Metallica matches huge roar with big spectacle: review

Heavy-metal veterans show their opening acts and 40,000-plus fans how it’s done. Nick Krewen, Music, Mon. July 17, 2017 Metallica   Sunday, July 16 at Rogers Centre The members of Metallica may be greying around the temples, but their ferocity still packs the mightiest of roars. Thirty-two years after the brazen four-piece from San Rafael, Calif. made its Toronto debut at The Concert Hall (back at a time when the…


Tim McGraw and Faith Hill woo Toronto fans with romantic production: review

Country music’s royal couple brought white picket fence values to the Toronto leg of their Soul2Soul World Tour. Nick Krewen, Music, Sat. June 24, 2017 Tim McGraw and Faith Hill at the Air Canada Centre, June 23 In movies they call it “The Big Payoff.” You’ve all seen it: the two lead characters form a bond, build up romantic tension and then seal their attraction with a lengthy kiss. On…


Father John Misty pulls out all the stops with a flair for the dramatic: review

The charismatic performer kicked off his North American tour on Friday night with a sold-out show at the Royal Alexandra Theatre. Nick Krewen Music, Sat. May 6, 2017 Father John Misty at the Royal Alexandra Theatre, May 5, 2017 It was nothing short of epic. At the Friday night kickoff of his North American tour and the first of two sold-out evenings at the Royal Alex Theatre, Father John Misty…