BRAT Summer is winding down, and fall in Ontario always tends to be Short n’ Sweet. With artists hitting the road for their fall tours, there’s no shortage of must-see shows in Toronto this month, ranging from huge pop spectacles to indie up-and-comers playing small club shows. Here are 10 must-see concerts in the city in September 2024.
Anderson .Paak
History, September 5
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Anderson .Paak’s directorial debut, the feature film K-POPS!, will premiere at the Toronto International Film Festival — so that’s presumably why he’s booked a show to coincide with his big TIFF launch. The funk pop star is touring in celebration of his beloved 2016 album Malibu.
Weezer
Scotiabank Arena, September 8
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Unless you’re one of those Pinkerton people, you probably agree that Weezer’s debut album is their best. After last year’s excellent Indie Rock Road Trip shows, the virgin-coded power pop group will be celebrating their iconic Blue Album with a 30th anniversary tour. Get ready to oh-wee-ooh.
Nicolette & the Nobodies
The Monarch Tavern, September 12
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Giddy up, y’all! Country music is bigger than ever, but its permeation isn’t limited to the Beyoncés and Post Malones of the world. It’s also found a home in underground music, with Guelph songwriter Nicolette Hoang offering a classic take on throwback country twang.
Charli XCX / Troye Sivan
Scotiabank Arena, September 18
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There’s really only way to cap off BRAT Summer, and that’s by seeing Charli XCX’s Sweat tour for her world-conquering new album (alongside Troye Sivan, who was originally billed as a co-headliner but now feels much more like an opener after the summer Charli just had).
The National / The War on Drugs
Budweiser Stage, September 20
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Sad dads, unite! Celebrate the golden age of indie with two bands that feel a bit like millennials’ version of classic rock, bringing cinematic sadness to an old-school palette of guitar, bass and drums, plus possibly a scattering of Swifties.
PJ Harvey
History, September 25–26
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Polly Jean hasn’t toured North America since 2016, in support of The Hope Six Demolition Project, so her return to these shores is long overdue. In a piece of serendipitous booking, she’s performing just down the block from a Harvey’s restaurant. What are the odds she stops by for a veggie burger?
Luna Li
Danforth Music Hall, September 28
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The viral multi-instrumentalist (and Exclaim! Class of 2020 alum) Luna Li continues her ascent with her biggest hometown show yet in support of the lushly beautiful new album When a Thought Grows Wings.
