music toronto

Hot Ticket: Orgone, Soul Motivators, Chris Thomas King, Alexi Murdoch, Isla Craig, Fishbone, Scorpions

Live music picks for TUESDAY JUNE 26 through SATURDAY JUNE 30, 2012.

TUESDAY JUNE 26 / ORGONE / LEE'S PALACE / 529 BLOOR W / $11.50 - $13 / 19+

Many people might not agree with this statement, but the '70s were an absolutely awesome time for music. Back then, funk and soul music were king, and Orgone, out of Los Angeles, are a throwback to the bands of that era. This is some of the funkiest stuff you'll ever hear, and Lee's Palace should be the perfect venue for a band with this kind of sound. If nothing else, your feet will be tapping all night long. Local group Soul Motivators will open.

WEDNESDAY JUNE 27 / CHRIS THOMAS KING / HUGH'S ROOM / 2261 DUNDAS W / $24.50 - $26.50 / 19+

It's rare to see a full-fledged blues artist appear on the Hot Ticket, but I simply couldn't pass up the opportunity to give Chris Thomas King a little love. You might recognize him from the highly underrated O Brother, Where Art Thou?, in which he portrayed the legendary Tommy Johnson and showcased some of his traditional blues tunes. But his catalogue is very diverse, blending elements of blues, R&B, and hip-hop. It's unusual, but my oh my, does it ever sound fantastic.

SATURDAY JUNE 30 / ALEXI MURDOCH / THE GREAT HALL / 1087 QUEEN W / $18.25 / 19+

This, right here, would be the perfect show to take a date/significant other to. Alexi Murdoch is an artist who has continually refused to sign major-label record deals in order to retain creative control of his music. He's perfected a sound, which can best be described as sweet, soft acoustic indie-folk. It certainly won't be for everyone, but like I said, this is a date show if there ever was one. Toronto songwriter Isla Craig will offer support.

SATURDAY JUNE 30 / FISHBONE / LEE'S PALACE / 529 BLOOR W / $26.88 / 19+

If ever there was a band that deserved mainstream success but never received it, it's Fishbone. This Los Angeles ska-punk-funk hybrid has gained a cult following since their formation in 1979, but never truly achieved any major recognition. This hasn't held them back, though, as they released a new EP at the end of 2011, and continue to tour in support of it. And John Cusack (yes, the John Cusack) is a huge fan, if that means anything to you.

MONDAY JULY 2 / SCORPIONS / THE MOLSON AMPHITHEATRE / 909 LAKE SHORE W / $72 - $88.50 / ALL AGES

This one is strictly for the diehard fans of heavy metal and hard classic rock. Best known for their absurdly catchy anthem "Rock You Like a Hurricane," Scorpions are set to retire from touring in 2013. So, if you're a fan of this sort of thing, this will be your last chance to see them live in Toronto--that is, until they get bored and decide to do a comeback tour. The ticket prices for this one are very high, but that shouldn't dissuade fans from checking it out. Should be a fun show, if nothing else.

For more music listings, head on over to our events calendar.

Looking for tickets? Check out Rotate This or Soundscapes to avoid Ticketmaster robbery.

Have an event you'd like us to plug? Submit your own listing to the blogTO events calendar.

Photo courtesy of Orgone


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