I know it may not seem like it, but the illusive summer season is in our near future. Have faith, creatures of the sun! Now I don’t know how you crazy kids like to roll when the temperatures are up, but I personally am all about hitting patios, drinking cold beers, and heading to outdoor concerts at the glorious Molson Canadian Amphitheatre.
Personally, the Amphitheatre is my favourite concert venue – though many of this season’s top acts may be taking over some of the other well-known venues. We generally always choose the lawns to enjoy the heady, festival kinda vibe underneath the summer sky. Even if it rains, it works… trust me, I’ve done the legwork.
So, here’s our Top 10 List of crooners to look forward to as we roll out of the dark, depths of winter…
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CBC Music.ca Festival | Echo Beach | May 25th
Echo Beach is the Amphitheatre’s neighbour and boasts a beach (of course) and a pretty awesome view of the city. The whole place is general admission, which may not tickle everyone’s fancy. But if you’re a fan of the festival vibe, you’re in the right place!
Now the only thing better than watching your fave musical talent on a balmy summer night is getting the show started in the afternoon when the sun is still out to play! The CBC Music.ca Festival starts at 2pm and has lined up a whole slew of entertainment to keep your party rocking until the wee hours. Headliners Sam Roberts Band and Of Monsters and Men are joined by Sloan, Jarvis Church, Kae Sun and many more. If you’re one for getting your afternoon party on, this show is for you.
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Dave Matthews Band | Molson Canadian Amphitheatre | May 28th
DMB is almost certainly my most favourite band – and definitely my most favourite to see live. Dave and his cronies have visited Toronto every year since I landed here and I haven’t missed one concert! This will be my 8th show in as many years, and to say I’m excited, well, I’m already bummed out that it has to end. See you there… I’ll be the one with two beers, a hotdog, and a massive smile on my face!
Brad Paisley | Molson Canadian Amphitheatre | May 31st
Throw on your boots and your cowboy hat, there’s a one man stampede coming to town and he’s likely to get those Southern Bells a-hootin’ and a-hollerin’… That’s my finest offering for this particular category. My sincerest apologies. I just hope he doesn’t bring LL Cool J along with him…
Ke$ha | Molson Canadian Amphitheatre | June 5th
I have a surprise for you on this one: It’s not just Ke$ha! Pitbull is there, too! Control yourselves people. Word to the wise: Before you leave your house, do not forget to brush your teeth with a bottle of Jack. They won’t admit you otherwise.
Taylor Swift | Rogers Centre | June 14th and 15th
This one’s for the tweens, the wannabe country princesses, and the parents who just want their li’l ones out of the house for a night. Taylor’s concert is a non-threatening place to send your little adults with woes of their broken hearts yet unknown. Won’t see you there. I’ll be the one at my third screening of the new Superman movie… payback for the John Mayer thing I guess (see below).
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Bruno Mars | Molson Canadian Amphitheatre | July 3rd and 6th
I never was a big Bruno Mars fan until I watched him hosting on SNL. He is certainly quite the performer and I am very excited to get my beer-fuelled groove on when he comes to town. See you there. I’ll be the one with three beers and a burger.
The Mrs. Carter Show World Tour Starring Beyonce | Air Canada Centre | July 21st
I’m quite sure you’re all very much aware of Queen Bey’s imminent arrival, but I could not not include her as this is a much anticipated date night for myself and Ms. Nicki Laborie. Yes, we’ll be shaking our groove thang with the best of ‘em, getting bootylicious while running the world and telling that man that he had better put a ring on it! Woah… I’ll be needing to hit up Real Sports after this one. See you there. I will be the one with four beers and an attitude.
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KISS | Molson Canadian Amphitheatre | July 26th
You wanted the best, you got the best! I mentioned that DMB is my fave live show, but these guys are a tight, tight second! Seeing them for the 4th time and I am confident that they will not disappoint. I am definitely ready to get my rock on. I’ll see you there. I’ll be the one with five beers (don’t judge, my tolerance merely increases as the summer goes on) and a Starchild mask.
John Mayer | Molson Canadian Amphitheatre | August 13th
It’s been a while but Mr. Mayer is back and he’s throwing on a cowboy hat for the occasion. After a hiatus due to health concerns and a new album with a Southern twang, I’m excited to see what this troublesome little tyke has in store for us this time around. See you there. I’ll be the one with six beers and a date. That’s right, I’m dragging the man unit along. Mwa-ha-ha! (That’s my evil laugh.)
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Black Sabbath | Air Canada Centre | August 14th
Are you ready to rock?! Er, no? OK, then you should probably give these guys a miss. He may be 64, but Ozzy Osbourne is still ready to rock your little socks off! Prepare to get loud, sweaty and, possibly, succumb to a li’l whiplash.
