1. Toronto Jazz Festival
Diana Ross, Norah Jones, Dan Aykroyd, and Paul Shaffer were some of the big names at this year’s jazz fest, which returned to Yorkville and drew about 500,000 to free concerts and ticketed events. A new partnership with Cirque du Soleil injected some family-friendly acrobatics into the mix. TD Bank returned as the title sponsor. Next: June 2020
Photo: Randall Cook
2. Beaches International Jazz Festival
Following its 30th anniversary in 2018, the country’s largest free jazz festival got a redesigned website and logo, marking the next chapter in its evolution. This year saw attendance level at about 500,000 with an expanded Sounds of Leslieville and Riverside weekend. Moosehead Breweries came on as a new sponsor. Next: July 3-26, 2020
Photo: Sebastien Auger
3. North by Northeast
Up from #6
A new commitment to free shows and curated club gigs has led to increased attendance at this music festival and conference, with about 250,000 people expected in 2019. An extra stage added to the Yonge Street performance hub and musicians from Taiwan were among the highlights. Sponsors included beverage Nutrl and Steam Whistle Brewing. Next: June 12-21, 2020
A new commitment to free shows and curated club gigs has led to increased attendance at this music festival and conference, with about 250,000 people expected in 2019. An extra stage added to the Yonge Street performance hub and musicians from Taiwan were among the highlights. Sponsors included beverage Nutrl and Steam Whistle Brewing. Next: June 12-21, 2020
Photo: Courtesy of North by Northeast
4. Veld Music Festival
This two-day festival of dance and hip hop returns to Downsview Park this summer with 30 internationally acclaimed artists, including Cardi B and Skrillex. Presented by Ink Entertainment, new sponsors for 2019 include Bud Light, Uber, and RBCxMusic. Next: August 3-4, 2019
Photo: Wendy Wei
5. Polaris Music Prize Gala
Up from #8
A capacity crowd of 1,000 music industry insiders were on hand at the gorgeous Art Deco venue the Carlu in 2018, when Jeremy Dutcher won the $50,000 prize for Canadian album of the year, judged on artistic merit alone. Presenting sponsor remains CBC Music. Next: September 16, 2019
A capacity crowd of 1,000 music industry insiders were on hand at the gorgeous Art Deco venue the Carlu in 2018, when Jeremy Dutcher won the $50,000 prize for Canadian album of the year, judged on artistic merit alone. Presenting sponsor remains CBC Music. Next: September 16, 2019
Photo: Dustin Rabin
6. Canadian Music Week
Up from #7
Attendance was level at this year’s weeklong music festival and summit, when 650 artists performed at 40 venues, and 3,000 delegates took in talks from 400 speakers. Highlights included Dave Grohl’s mom interviewing him and a lifetime achievement award for Robbie Robertson. Amsterdam Brewing Company and Jim Beam returned as sponsors. Next: May 19-23, 2020
Attendance was level at this year’s weeklong music festival and summit, when 650 artists performed at 40 venues, and 3,000 delegates took in talks from 400 speakers. Highlights included Dave Grohl’s mom interviewing him and a lifetime achievement award for Robbie Robertson. Amsterdam Brewing Company and Jim Beam returned as sponsors. Next: May 19-23, 2020
Photo: Courtesy of Canadian Music Week
7. CBC Music Festival
Crowds at the country’s largest all-Canadian music festival had to be evacuated for part of this year’s event due to stormy weather at RBC Echo Beach. The seventh annual, one-day festival featured family-friendly entertainment, including headliner Alvvays and icon Buffy Sainte-Marie. The new Juno 365 stage turned the spotlight on Juno award nominees. Next: May 2020
Photo: Courtesy of CBC Music Festival
