toronto concerts november

The top concerts in Toronto for November 2015

Toronto concerts this November are so musically diverse, from meticulously crafted pop hooks to cacophonic sludge, that they give just about anyone compelling reasons to stave off hibernation for at least one more month. That's saying something, considering that Embrace's total coat-check fail at the Disclosure concert might have scared us all off from ever going to concerts again.

Though we've closed the book on prime festival season, local indie promoters are keeping the dream alive with the second instalment of TWiMFeST. If you're a more bookish type of music fan, both Jessica Hopper and Carrie Brownstein - two key figures who survived the riot grrrl age to garner major success - are coming by mid-month to discuss their newly pressed books in person.

Other than that, here are my top picks for November concerts in Toronto.

Deafheaven, Envy and Tribulation (November 1, Opera House)
The current antiheroes of black metal, Deafheaven have returned with New Bermuda, their much anticipated followup to 2013's endlessly lauded Sunbather. Even cooler is that their tour is bringing along iconic Japanese hardcore band Envy and Sweden's Tribulation for increased metal cred.

The Weeknd (November 3 and 5, ACC)
It's unclear whether The Weeknd, reigning King of the Charts, will allow Dance Machine Drake to acquire his first number-one hit - new LP Beauty Behind the Madness is just that hot right now. Tickets to his fall tour sold so quickly that he added a second hometown show, so you have a double shot at scoring tickets.

Solids (November 10, Double Double Land)
This Montreal duo got a lot of attention last year for debut album Blame Confusion, joining the ranks of Metz, Japandroids and other bands reigniting the fuzzy noise aesthetic. I'd imagine the smatter of upcoming Canadian dates will be some of the last before they get to work on some new recordings.

Judas Priest and Mastodon (November 12, ACC)
Despite the retirement of founding guitarist K.K. Downing, metal icons Judas Priest continue to forge ahead in their more than four-decade career with new material, reissues and big world tours. This one celebrates 2014's Redeemer of Souls and brings along Mastodon as tour buddies, some of whose members don't even like metal, so that's a feat.

Beirut (November 13 and 14, Danforth Music Hall)
Zach Condon's long-standing indie-folk band just released their fourth LP, with a more bare-bones sound that's a notable departure from the sprawling and ambitious orchestration of some of his earlier works.

EL VY (November 17, Opera House)
The National frontman Matt Berninger announced he'd teamed up with Menomena's Brent Knopf this past summer for this more upbeat, pop-influenced project. Their inaugural tour together brings them to the Opera House with Swedish songwriter (and 4AD labelmate) Søren Juul.

King Crimson (November 19, 20 and 21, Queen Elizabeth Theatre)
Robert Fripp's ever-evolving prog rock group is returning to Canada with its newly formatted lineup, this time fronted by three drummers. Despite all the changes, older fans will be happy to hear that this tour features some songs that haven't been played in as much as 40 years.

k-os (November 20, Danforth Music Hall)
If you missed his Pan Am Games performance in July, genre-messing rapper k-os will make another foray into his hometown this month. This time, it'll be a more dedicated affair to new album Can't Fly Without Gravity.

Grimes (November 22, Danforth Music Hall)
Clare Boucher kept toying with us on the whereabouts of her mysterious new album, but this new fall tour is a pretty good sign that it won't be long. In the meantime, more awesome feminist rants would be more than welcome, please and thanks.

HEALTH (November 26, Horseshoe Tavern)
HEALTH's last visit to TO - also at The 'Shoe - was one of the highlights of NXNE this year. Now that their new LP Death Magic is officially out, you can hear more of the melodic, hook-filled direction they've taken when they return on the 26.

Dilly Dally (November 27, Horseshoe Tavern)
Toronto's grunge revival continues unabated with Dilly Dally, whose Buzz Records debut received the Pitchfork stamp of approval last month. A big tour brings them back to the homeland at the end of November with friends The Beverleys and Vallens.

What did I miss? Add your picks for November concerts in the comments.


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