Life is all about prioritizing, and with over 1000 bands showcasing at 50+ venues, Canadian Music Week is an exercise in time management. To make your life a little bit easier, we’re cherry-picking some of the best sets of the festival every day and giving you a heads up on what you can’t miss.
You’re in the home stretch, so it’s not time to slow down. The final weekend of CMW is a perfect excuse to stay out late, and take advantage of 4am last call. Check out our CMW Survival Guide for more pro-tips on how to get the most out of your wristband. Here are our picks for the weekend.
Friday, May 8th
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JMSN, Tattoo @ 11:00PM (Details)
JMSN’s brand of audacious R&B has him exploring strange yet pleasing sonic territory, and his appearance at Tattoo will been auditory revelation for anyone craving a dose of layered, electronic soul music. You’re likely already familiar with JMSN’s vocal, songwriting, and production skill—he’s already put in behind-the-scenes work with Usher, Ab-Soul, J. Cole, and Kendrick Lamar. His true talent comes to light in a solo setting, with an expressive voice and a raw aesthetic that keeps audiences transfixed from the moment he steps on stage. See for yourself tonight—JMSN performs as part of the hustleGRL showcase at Tattoo at 11:00PM.
Saturday, May 9th
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Joey Bada$$, Danforth Music Hall @ 9:45PM (Details)
Brooklyn’s own Joey Bada$$ takes over the Danforth Music Hall on Saturday, in what’s likely to be one of the most talked about headlining sets of the festival. The Pro Era kingpin is known for bringing raw energy to live performances, and his classic-meets-contemporary style resonates with all types, whether you’re in the mood for braving the pit up front, or nodding along in the back. Getting there early will be worthwhile—opening sets by Irish trio Hare Squead, Mississauga newcomer Kaydee, and hometown hero Jazz Cartier make it one of the most stacked bills of the entire festival. If you’re looking for something on a somewhat smaller scale tonight, consider catching The WAYO at Smiling Buddha at 11:00PM, or Jahkoy at Revival at 6:30PM.
