Enjoy some beer and music in Toronto for August
VELD music festival will be back in full effect at Downsview Park in August.
Eat, Sleep, Rave; Repeat. Keeping with tradition, the third annual VELD Music Festival exploded at Downsview Park August 2 and 3. Boasting heavy hitters like Armin Van Burren, Calvin Harris, ZEDD and Martin Garrix, whose performance at Lollapalooza had the crowds energized and fist pumping, the annual INK- inspired EDM festival continues to increase in size each year as it becomes a staple in the outdoor music festival circuit. There’s something alluring about taking over a large field and just partying through the day and night. A feeling of freedom and togetherness all at the same time, and as I’ve said before, the EDM culture is one of the most open and inviting. A special treat this year will be Iggy Azalea; her chart- topping hits have made her a must-see on her own, so to have her included here is a testament to the crossover influence of the new DJ culture.
But don’t worry if EDM is not in your music playlist; Toronto has never disappointed in a new fresh music or classic power bands that flow through our local venues.
The powerviolent, frantic hardcore quintet of United Nations will play Sneaky Dee’s August 7th, providing a great lead-in to a weekend of music and beer. Their new album received rave reviews on Pitchfork. Tickets available at the door.
Catch Action Item in Toronto this month.
Action Item comes to Toronto on August 8th as part of their nationwide summer tour with MKTO and welcomes you as the official start to the weekend party playing at the Virgin Mobile Mod Club. New Jersey natives Action Item released their latest EP “Great Mission: Life” featuring their first single entitled “We’ll Be Fine” on July 1, 2014. “Great Mission: Life” is Action Item’s follow up to their EP “Resolution,” which shot to #9 on the Billboard Independent charts. In addition to their new EP, Action Item is on the road with Platinum selling artist MKTO on a nationwide summer tour. Having previously toured with artists, including Hot Chelle Rae, Owl City, Andy Grammer, Selena Gomez, and Jake Miller, the band is used to energizing their audience and having a great time. More information and tickets are available here.
In other news: Steam Whistle Brewing hosts the Roundhouse Craft Beer Festival for the third year August 9th & 10th. The independent craft brewer transforms the Roundhouse Park into a great outdoor festival where beer fans can sample & savour offerings from local producers. From noon to 7pm the weekend of August 9th-10th, attendees will be able to pair flavourful ales, crisp lagers, seasonal and experimental beers with fare from gourmet food trucks, all within a park setting while local indie bands entertain. This year beer lovers can expect more beer varieties with 20 different craft brewers, showcasing the re-emergence of craft beer and a greater diversity of crowd- pleasing food trucks. Roundhouse Craft Beer Fest information and tickets are available here.
Alt-country singer/songwriter Christopher Denny is in town on August 11th, playing at The Drake with Strand of Oaks. His voice has been described as “haunting, raw, otherworldly and track-stopping”. If you have yet to see him perform, you’ll get a shock when this tattoo-covered ex-junkie opens his mouth. The album’s full of gospel, blues, old-time country, and soul — and his backstory of addiction and poverty rivals any tragic country great. Tickets are still available here.
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