01.20YYZMUSICThe Cheat Sheet BR PICKS THE 5 ESSENTIAL LIVE MUSIC SHOWSHIPHOPR&BROCKHEAVYPOPALT1MATTHEW DOC DUNNThurs. Jan 16. At The Baby GAscendent, luminsicent alt-country,reminiscent of your favourite era ofMy Morning Jacket. Stay late for DJMeg Ryan (U.S. Girls) on the onesand twos.2 ISKWEFri., Jan 17. at The Mod ClubFinding an even blend betweenelectro-pop and trip-hop, the Junoand Polaris Prize nominee defiesconvention and is a force of nature ofher own construction.HÉLÈNE BARBIERThurs., Jan. 23. At The Boat3The Montreal-based vocalist craftsa world of nebulous, effortful,precision-indebted art rock that’sintimately composed and rigorouslyexecuted.4 POSSUMSat., Feb. 1 at The Horseshoe TavernAngular and propulsive krautrockthat names ground control as 70sproto-punk, and docks at both thedoor of garage rock and the outerrings of the psychedelic multiverse.5CALEXICO & IRON AND WINESun., Feb 2 at Danforth Music HallThe honey-voiced folk innovatorjoins forces with beloved Tucson,Arizona desert rock duo tostretches outlaw Americana oversprawling, sun-baked folk.1BURNER AND WLMRTSat., Jan. 4 at Monarch TavernLocals night featuring the city’sfinest hypendated bands: high-achivingnoise rock, and effortful, deathmetal-worshipping hardcore.2 CARTRIDGESat., Jan. 25 at HoundstoothBoston punks with an advanceddegree in guttural, teeth-pullinghardcore. Don’t be late — eachsong on their last EP clocked in atunder 50 seconds.3SHADOW OF INTENTFri, Jan.31 at Hard Luck BarDoes anyone ever really grow outof deathcore? Splash in a bit ofEastern European black metal andyou have your answer.4RED DEATHTues, Jan. 28 at See-ScapeD.C. punks, same as it ever was: awandering eye for speed metal,and some of the wickedest,big-bellied riffs around.5HIDE AND CLOUD RATFri., Feb. 7 at The GarrisonFri., Feb. 7 at The GarrisonFierce and merciless, the ever-impressiveMichigan grindcore outfitand the Chicago-based electronicduo excavate the feral depths ofeverything we attempt to resist withelegance.1JON BRYANTWed, Jan. 29 at The Drake UndergroundIf you’re into Bon Iver or City andColour, you’ll want to get familiarwith this Halifax-bred dream-popsinger.2BEN LEEWed, Jan. 22 at The Drake UndergroundThe prolific Aussie has released analbum every few years since 1995,so you know his show is going tobe stacked with material that spanshis impressive career3MEGAN & LIZSat, Jan. 18 at Velvet UndergroundPioneers of the YouTube age, thesefraternal twins built their careeralongside a thriving social mediacommunity to the tune of 250+million views.4JP SAXETue, Jan. 28 at The Drake UndergroundLos-Angeles-based singer/songwriterbrings his yearning brand ofsoulful R&B back to his hometownof Toronto for one night.5 METRONOMYSat, Feb. At The Danforth Music HallSilky, sexy and cheeky as hell, theEnglish electronic group are on theedge of their 20th anniversary andthe perfect guides to navigatingThis Modern Age ®.1 GZAMon, Jan. 27 at The PhoenixThe Genius of the Wu-Tang Clanwill perform Liquid Swords in itsentirety to coincide with the classicalbum’s 25th anniversary.2 ATMOSPHEREFri, Jan. 17 at The DanforthFor over 20 years, Ant and Slughave been representing the Midwesthip-hop scene through theirlabel Rhymesayers and their ownprolific musical output.3AN ORCHESTRAL RENDI-TION OF DR. DRE: 2001Sat, Jan. 25 at The Opera HouseThough we all know Dr. Dre’sclassic album like the back of ourhand, now is your chance to hearit in a whole new light thanks toConcept Eventz and AlternativeSymphony.4IT’S OK* FEAT. THEOCROKERSat, Jan. 18 at Betty Oliphant TheatreTheo Croker is neither R&B, norhip-hop, but we had to slide himin here somewhere. He’s jazz tothe core, and creates music that isboth “timeless and of the moment”(in his words).5TEDDY SWIMSThurs, Jan. 30 at RivoliThe “Swims” in his name is actuallyan acronym that stands for“someone who isn’t me sometimes,”a reference to Teddy’s goalof integrating different parts ofhimself into his music.DANCE1ELECTRIC CIRCUSFri, Jan. 17 at The Drake LoungeDJs illo and Techtwelve will bebringing back the vibes of theiconic live-to-air dance party forone night only. Expect the best inold and new club music.2 SKREAMSat, Jan. 12 at CODAOne of the UK’s best-loved selectorsbrings his open to close magicback to Toronto for a night of disco,house, techno, dubstep and everythingin between.3NINA KRAVIZFri, Jan. 24 at The Concert HallRecently named as one of the top10 DJs in the world for 2019 byDJ Mag, the Siberian star touchesdown in Toronto after postponingher November date.4 MATRIXXMANSat, Jan. 25 at 211 GearyOne of the pillars of the US technoscene, Matrixxman has releaseson such labels as Dekmantel andGhostly.5JANE FITZFri, Jan. 31 at 188 PearlA unique opportunity to catch anall-night set from this DJ’s DJ whohas crafted a 25-year-and-countingcareer with her expertly curatedselections spanning acid, psychedelictechno, trance and beyond.38 BEATROUTE JANUARY 2020
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