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By: John Mendoza Toronto multi-instrumentalist and indie rock pop artist Luna Li and alt-pop opener GRAE played a sold out hometown show at the Axis Club Theatre (formerly known as the Mod Club) on April 29th. During the show, Luna Li remarked about how much their audience has grown since they first started performing in “shitty Toronto basements”. She performed tracks “Cherry Pit”, “Alone but Not Lonely” and many more. Check out our photo gallery featuring both GRAE and Luna Li. All photos taken by John Mendoza. GRAE Luna Li

By: Gemma Mastroianni The final day of Coachella was eventful and bittersweet. Check out the highlights below: FINNEAS FINNEAS hosted a lovely mid-day set with a variety of emotional and passionate tracks. Although it didn’t seem like the audience knew a lot of the songs, everyone was definitely in awe of his talent. It was cool seeing him move from guitar player for his sister the previous night, into his own show on Sunday. Ducksauce The legendary electronic duo sure knows how to throw a party. The crowd was HYPE and this was the best way to set the tone for the final night of such an exciting weekend. As predicted, the crowd went wild when they closed out their set with “Barbra Streisand” and it’s a moment I’ll most definitely remember forever. Fatboy Slim I’ve been a fan of Fatboy Slim since I was a child, so this was a BIG set for me, and boy did he ever bring the energy. The Yuma tent was the most fitting spot for the iconic DJ and producer. The vibe he built was energetic, freeing, and just plain fun. He played mostly tech-house and mixed in some of his crowd favourite tracks like “Funk Soul Brother.” Jamie XX It was nice to get outside for this set after feeling a bit congested in the Yuma tent, and the breezy vibes were right for Jamie XX’s euphoric and ethereal set. He had his well known huge disco ball on stage with him, and most of his graphics featured high quality shots of the crowd which was really, really cool as it made the audience feel as though they were part of the show, and us as viewers could feed off of the energy. DJ Hanzal (Dillon Francis) DJ Hanzel, Dillon Francis’s alter ego, played a surprise set at the DoLaB on Sunday during The Weeknd and Swedish House Mafia’s headlining performance. I’m not a HUGE fan of The Weekend so I decided to check out this one. I also love checking out other performances during the headliner because artists tend to bring even more of their all. The DoLaB and Hanzel closed out Coachella with a bang with a mix of house and techno tracks, and a really excited crowd. This was one for the books! Day three was a massive success filled with iconic performances and experiences I will never forget. Stay tuned for my final Coachella article.

By: Gemma Mastroianni Day two is completed and I’m left blown away yet again by the environment and talent at Coachella. Check out my day two highlights below: Wallows This was such a fun one. The LA based alt-rock band put on an uplifting set and the crowd was beyond thrilled! Despite the scorching heat, everyone was dancing and singing along to every track. Disclosure Disclosure put on one of the most exciting sets I witnessed at the festival so far. The sun was setting throughout the set and they played electrifying tracks like “When a Fire Starts To Burn,” “You’ve Got To Let Go If You Want to Be Free,” “Latch,” and a ton more. It was one of those “you just had to be there” moments. Brockhampton Brockhampton played their final show ever. I wasn’t able to catch the entire set but I did see the last few tracks, and the Sahara stage was the perfect spot for the occasion. They closed out their set with “BOOGIE” and the crowd energy was bittersweet, euphoric, and beautiful. Here’s to new beginnings! Freddie Gibbs and Madlib Freddie Gibbs teamed up with the legendary artist and producer Madlib for a hype set in the GOBI tent. I was definitely surprised to see his kids on stage despite his lyricism, but it added a fun element to the set to see them dancing along! It was one for the books with tracks “Crime Pays,” “Gang Signs,” “Thuggin’”, and more. Billie Eilish Wow, what a way to close out such an eventful day. Billie played tracks from all of her discography and her energy was contagious. Her vocals were on point and she expressed a ton of gratitude throughout the set, and also made an effort to check in on the crowd. She even brought out the iconic Haley Williams for an acoustic cover of “Misery Business.” Although she didn’t play all of her tracks all the way through, it was still a great way to cover so much of her discography for her 90 minute set. Day three coverage coming soon!

By: Gemma Mastroianni Coachella has been a magical experience so far, and we are only one day in. Check out some highlights from yesterday: Raveena The R&B/Soul inspired singer songwriter put on an intimate set featuring tracks such as “Honey,” “Headaches,” “Love Overgrown,” and more. She seemed genuinely excited to be here and shared vulnerable details about each track. Her energy was amazing! DoLaB The grooviest way to get some shade is most definitely the Do Lab. They’ve been partnered with Coachella since 2003 and feature up and coming DJ’s, along with a variety of high profile surprise guests (past guests include Skrillex, RL Grime, Zhu, and more.) The tent features a variety of colourful fabrics, lights, water guns, and a fantastic crowd. I caught Rinzen’s set yesterday and it was an eclectic curation of melodic house tracks. Peggy Gou I’ve been waiting to see Peggy Gou for a hot minute, so this was a big one. She absolutely rocked the Yuma tent and I caught her entire 90 minute techno heavy set. The shark disco ball was the cherry on top, and the LED lights across the ceiling of the Yuma tent were mesmerizing. Louis The Child The electronic duo had a huge draw at the Outdoor Theatre, and the set was nothing less than spectacular. With three special guests, fireworks, trippy graphics, it was one hell of a party. They were extremely grateful to be there and expressed their gratitude for the opportunity multiple times throughout the set. King Gizzard and the Lizard Wizard I chose King Gizzard and the Lizard Wizard over Harry Styles, which wasn’t an easy decision to make! I’ve seen the Aussie rock band perform in a smaller venue about five years ago but I just couldn’t pass up the opportunity to see them on an outdoor stage in the desert. Needless to say, this was the most exciting set of the day for me and an exhilarating way to end the day. King Gizzard put on a performance for the books. Their musicianship and synchronicity as a band is remarkable. Psychedelic graphics complimented the music perfectly, I was truly blown away. They never shy away from playing extended tracks as well, which isn’t something you see often from other bands and artists. It really allows the audience to experience the band for what they are and see them execute the songs in full. The vibe of the crowd vibe was energetic and fun, and the pit was active as ever! Stay tuned for my day two summary coming tomorrow.

Coachella 2022 is fast approaching! With this being their first event in three years, music fans all over the world are beyond eager. For fans not attending in person, YouTube will be hosting the official “Front Row Couchella” livestream for the 10th year. The official livestream will start April 15 at 4 p.m. PT and run through Monday evening, April 18. This will include live performances, exclusive artist interviews, merchandise releases on YouTube shopping, pre-parties, and more. For weekend two (April 22-24), they will host the “immersive” Coachella Curated series where they will “dive deep into the stories of some of today’s most thrilling artists” and feature encore performances, artist commentary, mini documentaries, and more. Whether you’re joining us in the desert or from “Couchella,” here are ten artists (in no particular order) you absolutely can’t miss: King Gizzard and The Lizard Wizard You don’t want to miss these psych-rock vibes from the Australian rock band. Their live show is out of this world featuring trippy graphics, two drummers, and insane energy. Imagine all of that but in the middle of the desert- the vibes are right! Billie Eilish Billie Eilish has been on top of the world over the past few years ever since her quick rise to fame in 2016. The seven-time Grammy winner brings high energy to every performance. You can expect top notch visuals and lighting, breath-taking vocals, and plenty of familiar tracks. Raveena Influenced by R&B, soul and jazz, step in to the magical world of Raveena. The “Space Princess”promises a live show described as a “colourful, weird, and friendly galaxy” so what’s not to love? Disclosure The English-American electronic duo bring a neon light show to the desert with a ton of trippy visuals. Their sets have been known to be an inclusive experience where you will feel mass connection, an eager crowd, and a ton of hits. BADBADNOTGOOD Canada represent! Get ready to fall into a cosmic realm like no other at this live show. BADBADNOTGOOD has been modernizing jazz and bringing it to new audiences since 2010. Ready to experience your first jazz moshpit? Yeah- that’s a thing. Japanese Breakfast Having just received two Grammy nominations for her gorgeous album “Jubilee,” Michelle Zauner is on a roll! Her band brings a fun experimental pop dance party to the table. Run The Jewels This Hip-hop super duo sure offer a live performance for the books. All four of their albums have been critically acclaimed and I can assure you they always an atmospheric and energetic set with a hype crowd. Peggy Gou Peggy Gou is a South Korean DJ who has seen exponential growth over the past few years. She even launched her own indie record label in 2019, Gudu Records. Gou is a legendary DJ who can bring ordinary songs to new levels through her house-influenced mixing. BROCKHAMPTON The hip-hop boy band lead by Kevin Abstract will play their final performance indefinitely at Coachella- don’t miss it. Orville Peck Even if you’re not big into country, you’ve got to give Orville Peck a shot! The Canadian masked cowboy brings a refreshing energy and new subculture (alt-country) to the country genre.

By: Gemma Mastroianni Spring has truly sprung! This comes with new outfits, activities, sunny weather, new food, and obviously new music. The Spring 2022 playlist is now live to celebrate all of the wonderful joys that come with the new and fresh awakening that Spring is. Click here to listen or check it out below: So far it features artists such as Teen Daze, Hot Flash Heatwave, Harry Styles, No Vacation, Mitski, Goodbye Honolulu, and more. I’ll be updating it throughout the season with new songs that spark the Spring feeling within me. Have a song that you think would be a great fit for this euphoric playlist? Send over your submission to [email protected].

By: Daniel Dorta Irish rock band Inhaler finally played their highly anticipated show in Toronto at the Phoenix Concert Theatre. The band consists of vocalist & guitarist Elijah Hewson, bassist Robert Keating, guitarist Josh Jenkinson and drummer Ryan McMahon. Check out photos below from both Inhaler and their opener Cam Kahin. Cam Kahin Inhaler

By: Josiah Botting Photo gallery from Underoath at REBEL in Toronto on March 21st, 2022.

By: Gemma Mastroianni Carseat Headrest played two nights at The Danforth Music Hall. Setlist: Crows Weightlifters Fill in the Blank Hymn – Remix Hollywood Bodys Burning Man There Must Be More Than Blood Drunk Drivers/Killer Whales It’s My Child (I’ll Do What I Like) Can’t Cool Me Down Beach Life-In-Death Sober to Death Deadlines (Hostile)

By: Gemma Mastroianni Japanese-American singer-songwriter Mitski took over Massey Hall on March 18th, 2022. I saw her perform about four years ago at Osheaga in Montréal while she was promoting her highly appraised album “Be the Cowboy.” I wasn’t a HUGE fan at the time but after seeing her set, I was so impressed and intrigued by her stage presence. Her show is truly a performance with her incorporation of movement, emotion, and props. Following this performance, she announced just a few months later that she was indefinitely taking a break from music. Four years later, she blessed us with “Laurel Hell” on Valentines day. This collection of show-stopping tracks and personal lyricism had me fall in love with Mitski all over again, and is one of my favourite albums of the year (so far.) When I heard she was coming to Massey Hall, I knew I couldn’t miss the opportunity to see her in such an intimate setting. This show definitely did not disappoint and the venue was perfect for the emotional and intimate performance she puts on. Her contemporary and modern inspired movement, emotional vulnerability, and gorgeous vocals (despite being ill with a cold) made for a breathtaking performance. I do feel that the most entertaining songs took place towards the end but then again, that’s just my personal preference as they all happened to be my current favourites (my current favourites being “Geyser,” “Working for The Knife,” “The Only Heartbreaker,” “Heat Lightning.”) All in all the entire show was fantastic and Mitski’s stage presence was gracious. If you’re a fan I totally recommend you see her in a theatre setting if possible. Check out the photo gallery below: Setlist: Love Me More Should’ve Been Me Francis Forever First Love/Late Spring Me and My Husband Stay Soft Townie I Don’t Smoke Once More to See You Nobody I will Drunk Walk Home Happy Your Best American Girl I Bet on Losing Dogs The Only Heartbreak Geyser Working for the Knife Heat Lightning Washing Machine Heart A Pearl Two Slow Dancers

By: Gemma Mastroianni Toronto’s own Luna Li (Hannah Bussiere Kim) has released her highly anticipated debut album Duality earlier this month. I first came across the Korean-Canadian multi-instrumentalist, songwriter, composer, and producer, when her band was playing at a local venue I was at for drinks. I unexpectedly ended up watching her show, and have been following along ever since. Duality was released on March 4th, 2022 via In Real Life (Liv.e, Peggy Gou, CLIP.) I adore Duality from front to back. It takes listeners on a Dream-Pop/Psych-Rock trip with lyrical themes of self discovery and relationships. It features artists such as Beabadoobee, Jay Som, and more. After following along for years and admiring the album, it was awesome to conduct this Q&A with Hannah. Check out our chat below: How are you doing!? You must be so excited for the record and touring. I’m doing great! It feels so good that the album is finally out in the world. What does Duality mean in the world of Luna Li? Duality refers to a few different things – the variety and balance of themes on the album, the blend of my classical background with a rock/pop/r&b sound, and my mixed Korean/Canadian background. I understand you created this record over the past four years. Primarily where did you write this? Do you tend to write music at a specific time of day? I wrote most of these songs in my various bedrooms as I’ve moved around a bit over the last several years – my childhood bedroom, the bedroom in my first apartment, and the bedroom of the apartment I currently live in. I’m a HUGE fan of Jay Som so it’s really incredible and exciting to see you collaborate with her. What was this experience like and what is your biggest takeaway from her? I’m also a huge fan of Jay Som! She was so amazing and incredibly easy to work with. I just reached out to her on instagram to see if she would like to do a feature on the album and she said yes! I sent her Boring Again and she just came up with such a cool verse. It was the most exciting thing listening to her part for the first time and it still never gets old. What kept you inspired to complete this album through the duration of the pandemic? What did you to do find new inspiration? It was a creatively draining time for many creatives. I definitely had periods of time where inspiration came and went, but over the pandemic the thing that really breathed new life into the songs was adding the features. I also really felt the drive to get this album over the finish line as it had been so long, so I never lost my motivation with that. Do you have a favourite track on the album and why? My favourite changes all the time! Recently I’ve been excited about “What You’re Thinking” – it was the last one that I added to the album, and the one I had the heaviest hand on in terms of the production. I’m really proud of how it turned out, and we also shot a music video for it in LA last month which was really fun. What can showgoers expect from your upcoming tour? I think the energy in the room is going to be really special. I’m bringing my harp on tour for the first time which I’m very excited about, and have worked on elevating several elements of the show. I can’t wait to share it! Can you name some other artists you draw inspiration from visually? Your visuals are and have always been fantastic! I’ve always been obsessed with Solange’s visuals, the way dance and movement is such a huge part of her project is so inspiring to me. I also love Raveena’s colourful magical world, and Remi Wolf’s weird and amazing rainbow universe. What is one thing you want your listeners to take from Duality? I hope everyone feels welcomed and accepted in the world of Duality no matter who they are. I love being a part of a cycle of creativity and I hope that people feel inspired to create something when they listen to it! How does the Toronto music scene influence your work today? What advice can you offer musicians looking to get involved with their local arts scene The Toronto scene was such a huge part of my start, and is still something I’m close to and involved with. I learned so much playing hundreds of shows and playing in several different bands throughout the years. Being part of a musical community is so fulfilling and so helpful when you’re trying to get started. I’d say just attend as many shows as you can, try to meet new people who are also interested in music, and try to find or build community around you with like-minded people who are passionate about the arts. Stay connected with Luna Li: Instagram | YouTube | TikTok | Twitter | Facebook | Website

By: Josiah Botting Pop-punk rockers Mayday Parade took their “What It Means to Fall Apart” tour to Toronto at The Phoenix Concert Theatre on Sunday, March 20th, 2022. Magnolia Park and Real Friends opened the show, and there was even a surprise proposal! Check out the photo gallery below: Magnolia Park Real Friends MAYDAY PARADE Surprise Proposal!