Incarnatus perform live at The Spot in Newmarket, Ontario. Photo By: Michael Drukarsh By: Michael Drukarsh Newmarket, Ontario - I found myself back at The Spot on Saturday February 28 (which to be honest, might just become a monthly ritual for me), to witness Hardcore Is For Lovers . The Spot gives off a very indie/DIY vibe but the bands that take the stage are far from the amateur garage bands working out their stuff. The five acts on the bill promised to deliver a night o

Halfway Down perform live at Gabby's in Scarborough, Ontario. Photo By: Jay Broderick By: Jay Broderick Scarborough, Ontario - The night belonged to HALFWAY DOWN , and to the electric, youthful crowd that packed into Gabby’s Restaurant in my old stomping grounds of Guildwood. On February 27th the band psyched themselves up for a three‑set rock marathon that felt like a blast from my past! HALFWAY DOWN is a band made up of high school and university musicians who, based on t

Belphegor perform live at Lee's Palace in Toronto, Canada. Photo By: Jojo Taylor By: Jojo Taylor Toronto, Canada - How do you take your Metal? Blackened! What I love about Lee’s Palace is they are a club that hosts a wide variety of music. They support local acts that want to play a bigger stage or they are a stage for international artists to play to an intimate crowd. So, when a band comes in from around the world, Toronto loves to visit these clubs, because you wouldn’t

Maldita perform live at The Concert Hall in Toronto, Ontario. Photo By: Jay Broderick By: Jay Broderick - Toronto’s hardcore scene has never lacked grit. Legendary bands like Forgotten Rebels, Bunchofuckingoofs, and even modern day Cancer Bats have kicked down the doors of dive music venues for decades, but few bands embody the genre's raw heart and cultural depth quite like Maldita . Fronted by vocalist Rosa Venenosa, I first became aware of the band during their supporting

Goldie Boutilier performs live at Danforth Music Hall in Toronto, Ontario. Photo By: Ashley Depaz By: Ashley Depaz Toronto, Ontario - On a crisp February evening in Toronto, the Danforth Music Hall hosted one of the most eagerly awaited performances of the season as Nova Scotia’s rising star, Goldie Boutilier , brought her signature 70s indie rock and roll vibe to the stage. With her retro-chic sound and undeniable charisma, Boutilier transported the audience to an era of g

Crash Test Dummies perform live at El Mocambo in Toronto, Ontario. Photo By: Jay Broderick By: Jay Broderick Toronto, Ontario - There’s something that fascinates me about music fans. We are forever debating ticket prices, hesitate on all‑inclusive packages, but yet when a free ticket giveaway was offered by us here at LoudTO (thanks to the generosity of Big Brothers Big Sisters Toronto ), a free night out with food, drinks, and a legendary Canadian band, we somehow still man

Lita Ford performs live at Casino Rama in Rama, Canada. Photo By: Michael Drukarsh By: Michael Drukarsh Rama, Canada - There is something very magical about rock and roll from the 80s. It just seems to have the power to make everyone smile, from the bands that play it to the fans who love it. And this was once again on display last night at Casino Rama as Lita Ford headlined an intimate show along with opening act Headpins. Headpins Headpins perform live at Casino Rama. Ph

Whiskey Jack & Friends celebrate Stompin' Tom Connors' 90th Birthday. Photo By: Jay Broderick By: Jay Broderick Toronto, Ontario - The Guess Who, Neil Young, The Tragically Hip... from a music standpoint, nothing much else screams Canada... unless of course your name is Tom Connors. If the name itself doesn't bring a Canadian smile to your face, then perhaps you are Gen Z. Wait... that's no excuse either! Just ask Will Sharp! The 24 year-old fan knows Stompin' Tom well! Ther

Hellseer perform live at The Spot in Newmarket, Ontario. Photo By: Michael Drukarsh By: Michael Drukarsh Newmarket, Ontario - Nestled in an unassuming business complex next to a church on Gorham Road in Newmarket, The Spot Rehearsal Studio has become the hidden gem for live music events in Ontario's York Region. Along with nine well equipped rehearsal rooms available for monthly and hourly rental, The Spot boasts a newly renovated concert space, a tattoo artist, a print sho