not dead yet toronto

Toronto's hardcore punk festival Not Dead Yet

Not Dead Yet is an annual hardcore punk festival in Toronto that takes place over four days at many venues with dozens of shows to go to. Entering its fifth year, Not Dead Yet has over 50 bands playing this year making it difficult to pick which shows to go see.

Here are my picks for the must see shows at Not Dead Yet 2015.

Power Trip, No Tolerance, Build and Destroy + Guests, Comfort Zone (480 Spadina Ave), October 23
Power Trip have been gaining a lot of recognition over the last little while as a really great live band that crosses between punk and thrash metal. With support from the break neck speeds of straight edge band No Tolerance and a whole host of five other hardcore bands from across the U.S and local acts, this show is a great bang for your buck.

Title Fight, Alex G, Angel Du$t + Guests, The Horseshoe Tavern (370 Queen St W), October 24
Bringing both heavy and softer vibes, Pennsylvania indie punk crew Title Fight put on a great show that is sure to be highly energetic. This show features some great indie rock bands that will get the crowd moving while having enough clean sections to keep the mood light.

Leather Daddy, Oaf + Guests, D-Beatstro (1292 Bloor St W), October 24
This matinee show at D-Beatstro is a perfect punk rock knockout to start your Saturday off with. There's nothing quite like starting your day with some great crust punk bands and headliners Leather Daddy are sure to get you off your feet to shake off that Saturday morning hangover.

Career Suicide, Blazing Eye, Zots + Guests, The Silver Dollar (486 Spadina Ave.), October 25
If you're looking for something a little heavier, this gig at The Silver Dollar is sure to be one of the must see events of the weekend. The crust punk edge of Blazing Eye and Zots are sure to make for a rowdy show along with the skate punk musings of headliners Career Suicide.

Blank Spell, Strutter + Guests, D-Beatstro (1292 Bloor St W), October 23
As the first scheduled matinee show for Not Dead Yet, Philadelphia hardcore punk band Blank Spell are sure to set a high standard for other bands performing across the weekend. They bring a very rowdy fast paced sound that will set your Friday off to a great start.

Gas Chamber, F*cking Invincible, Vile Intent + Guests, Coalition (282 Augusta Ave), October 24
This show is going to be filled with blistering fast sets from all of the hardcore bands performing, so if speed is what you look for in music look no further. Headliners Gas Chamber have a very aggressive grind vibe while still bringing an ambient aspect to their music. Bring a set of earplugs for this one.

Helm, Marie Davidson, Beau Wanzer + Guests, (The Garrison), October 24
Bringing a much more relaxed vibe than most other shows at Not Dead Yet, Helm are an experimental electronic project that will stimulate your senses in a very euphoric way. The night is packed with lots of experimental artsy projects so be sure to catch this show if you're into something a little more strange.

CCTV, Digital Octopus, Exit Order + Guests, Soybomb (156 Bathurst St), Oct 24
This after party at Soybomb is sure to be a hectic dance party with the odd sounds of Synth band Digital Octopus, and the fast paced punk of Exit Order. CCTV put on a fun and quirky show as well with their mix of punk and garage rock.

What did I miss? Add your suggestions for the must see shows at Not Dead Yet 2015 in the comments.

Photo via Facebook.

Writing by Joe Smith-Engelhardt.


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