Celebrate Independent Canadian Music At Wavelength 15 This Weekend

It’s impossible to talk about the genesis of Toronto’s independent music scene without mentioning Wavelength. Beginning as a weekly concert series in 2000, Wavelength has become a pillar of the city’s arts scene, incubating some of Canada’s most popular exports, including Broken Social Scene, the Arcade Fire, the Constantines, Feist, Fucked Up, and countless others.

Fifteen years later, Wavelength is still pushing Canadian music forward. In its current iteration, the collective curates a monthly showcase, and organizes two annual festivals, including this weekend’s Wavelength 15. The four day event begins Thursday February 12th, and spans three Toronto venues and performances by over 20 different acts from Toronto and beyond.

It’s hard to imagine Toronto emerging as the world-class music city it is today without Wavelength. You can support exciting independent Canadian music by purchasing an all-access pass for this weekend’s festivities for just $33.00 here.

If you’re planning on checking out Wavelength Music Festival 15, here are 5 best-bets we’ve cherry picked from the lineup.

Toronto, ON

Thursday February 12 @ The Garrison

There’s no better way to kick off Wavelength 15 than by getting knocked over by HSY’s shambolic, fuzzed-out guitar arsenal, and punched in the face by Anna Mayberry’s signature screech. With a debut LP on Buzz Records impending, HSY are Toronto’s predestined darlings of sludge.

RSVP here.

Toronto, ON

Friday February 13 @ Sneaky Dee's

It was over ten years ago when Toronto’s controller.controller perfected the post-punk/disco formula, so if you’re craving a wave of nostalgia, look no further. “History” is one of the most enduring ear-worms mid-2000s TOronto, so don’t miss your chance to see it live for the first time since their demise in 2006. The band recently started a Twitter account with a bio reading “Back from the dead in 2015,” so there’s a chance we might have more to look forward to beyond this one-off reunion show.

Buy tickets here.

Friday February 13 @ Sneaky Dee's

Speaking of nostalgia, everyone loves a good throwback tribute set, and this showcase has plenty. Don’t miss Toronto’s only all-grrl Nirvana cover band Hervana taking on the Constantines, Most People playing Broken Social Scene, Delta Will tackling Caribou, and Laura Barrett reinterpreting some Owen Pallett tunes, among others.

Buy tickets here.

Toronto, ON

Saturday February 14 @ Polish Combatants' Hall

You can choo-choo-choose to get romantic with Lowell on Valentine’s Day. This Arts & Crafts signee has a knack for crafting satisfying melodies within a classic sensibility, and you’ll fall in love with her off-kilter approach to saccharine pop. Every note Lowell sings will feel like one of Cupid’s arrows, hitting you right in the feels.

Buy tickets here.

Toronto, ON

Sunday February 15 @ The Garrison

If you have any energy left, a late night performance by Toronto psych-punks Cellphone will be the best way to cap off a successful Wavelength 15. Chaotic guitars, cheesily triumphant synth leads, and a warbly Danzig impression make this Telephone Explosion Records band’s live show a delightfully nerve-wracking experience.

Buy tickets here.