Canadian Summer Festival Guide: June

Posted on May 31st 2010 5:00PM by Jenny Charlesworth

What: MUTEK
When: June 2-6
Where: Montreal

2010 marks the 11th edition of the acclaimed avant-garde music festival, which celebrates innovation in electronic music and digital art. During its run, the boundary-pushing showcase has presented everyone from techno superstar Richie Hawtin to dubstep heavyweight Appleblim, even inspiring similar MUTEK events in Chile, Mexico and Argentina. Over 50 homegrown and international artists are on board for this year's event, which takes place at venues like Monument National and the Métropolis, as well as two outdoor spaces.

Can't Miss Acts:

Matmos (pictured): A cutting edge electronic duo from Baltimore who have drawn praise from Bjork for their experimental soundscapes and notions of 'cosmic pop.'

Moritz Von Oswald Trio: Boasting members from influential sound-shaping outfits such as Basic Channel, Vladislav Delay, and Rhythm & Sound, the three-piece entice with sculpted dance beats and hybrid textures.

Theo Parrish: Dubbed the 'high priest' of Detroit house, the American DJ/producer plays with soulful grooves and nu-jazz touchstones to engineer a genre-hopping brand of dance music.

What: Music Waste
When: June 2-5
Where: Vancouver

Vancouver's premier independent music festival, Music Waste offers a crash course in the underground music scene that spurred bands like indie noise-rock duo Japandroids and stoner-rock dignitaries Black Mountain. Evolving in recent years to include numerous comedy revues (Comedy Waste) and art exhibitions (Art Waste), the four-day event has been going strong since its inception in 1994. With close to 100 bands slated to perform at various venues throughout the city, music fans will have plenty of opportunities to discover some new favourites.

Can't Miss Acts:

Makeout Videotape (pictured above): Signed to Unfamiliar Records, the same label that launched Japandroids, the two-piece effortlessly marry garage punk and old-school pop melodies.

Sun Wizard: The folk-rock quartet have it dialed in when it comes to radio-friendly hooks and jangly guitars.

Lord Beginner: This '70s-indebted indie rock quintet will be headed out on the road with Black Mountain in late June, which should give you an indication of their bona fide star power.

What: NXNE
When: June 14-20
Where: Toronto

NXNE continues to be the most buzzed-about music event in Canada. Billed as the Great White North's answer to SXSW, the seven-day showcase, which also boasts a film component, is where music fans and industry bigwigs converge to check out over 650 bands. Taking place in various venues throughout downtown Toronto, this year's conference features a variety of local Toronto acts like the Besnard Lakes and Timber Timbre along with international headliners; such as the Ravenonettes, Cold Cave and hip-hop legends De La Soul.

Can't Miss Acts:

Iggy and the Stooges: Years after their heyday, the '70s punk icons continue to impress fans with their unruly antics and killer hooks. Hearing the inimitable snarl of frontman Iggy Pop performing live is a right of passage for anyone who considers themselves a rock 'n' roll devotee.

Les Savy Fav: The New York indie band has built a steady following over the last decade with their quirky blend of art rock and unpredictable stage shows, largely thanks to the chaotic energy of burly singer Tim Harrington.

Thee Oh Sees: Led by charismatic, sometimes diabolical frontman John Dwyer, the San Francisco quartet has the market cornered when it comes to fuzzed-out psych-pop. Bouncing between luscious melodies and mind-numbing distortion, the group has made their mark with the lo-fi-loving set.

What: Olympic Island Concert
When: June 19
Where: Toronto (Toronto Island)

After a one-year hiatus, the sorely missed all-day concert returns to Toronto Island for its most exciting installment yet. Masterminded by Canadian indie heroes Broken Social Scene, the all-ages event marks the first time lo-fi stalwarts Pavement will play the city in over ten years, and also marks the first Canadian date on their hotly anticipated reunion tour.

Can't Miss Acts:

Pavement: One of the most influential alternative rock outfits from the '90s, the newly reunited group has paved the way (pardon the pun) for the legions of indie rockers who grew up in their wake.

Beach House: Champs of the dream-pop league, the darling boy-girl duo is the perfect act to enjoy on a warm (almost) summer day.

Band of Horses: If 'Infinite Arms' proved anything, it made it clear that the southern rockers (the group recently left their base in Seattle to move back home to South Carolina) are leading the pack when it comes to blending rootsy folk with pristine guitar pop.

What: Sasktel Saskatchewan Jazz Festival
When: June 25-July 4
Where: Saskatoon

With a program that 'spans as many genres as it does continents,' Saskatoon's annual jazz festival is sure to be a big hit whether your sonic palette radiates more towards classic blues or pop and funk. Diversity is the key to the event's ongoing success, and 2010 is indeed a year for varied tastes with acts like DJ ?uestlove and Champion sharing the bill with more traditional jazz festival-type artists like bluegrass master Ricky Skaggs.

Can't Miss Acts:

The Roots: With a jazz-influenced approach to hip-hop, the superstars have become a favourite on the jazz festival circuit. Hailed as one of the greatest live acts ever by Rolling Stone magazine, the group rarely disappoints on stage.

Kid Koala: The Montreal-based DJ has had his hands full recently touring his latest show called 'The Slew,' which is billed as 'six turntables meet ex-Wolfmother rhythm section,' so you can only imagine the type of bombastic beats he has in store for Saskatoon.

Bedouin Soundclash: The Toronto-based outfit has devised a way to fuse the best of reggae, rock, punk and soul into a hypnotic sound that keeps listeners on their toes.

What: Montreal International Jazz Festival
When: June 25-July 6
Where: Montreal

Perhaps the most anticipated jazz fest of them all, the Montreal International Jazz Festival has been a one-stop destination for music lovers for over 30 years. With showcases held at a variety of clubs and outdoor venues throughout the city, the festivities infuse the already-vibrant metropolis with pulsating energy during the last week of June. On the bill in 2010, you'll find world-class acts like Ben E. King, Smokey Robinson, Herbie Hancock, Plants and Animals, !!! and Spank Rock.

Can't Miss Acts:

Lou Reed: As frontman for the Velvet Underground, the New York musician became an icon for experimental music in the '60s. Decades later, Reed is revered as one of the most influential figures to come out of the American punk scene.

Holy F---: With the recent release of their new album, 'Latin,' earning the Juno-nominated Toronto-based band some much deserved adoration, the outfit will be in high spirits to unleash their adventurous analog electronica on Montreal concert-goers.

Gil Scott Heron: A highly respected poet, author, spoken-word artist and musician, Heron is always a crowd highlight no matter what the occasion. His unmistakable baritone can be heard on 'I'm New Here,' the first studio album from the politically-minded artist in 17 years.

What: Lilith Fair
When: June 27 / June 28
Where: Calgary / Edmonton

After a decade-long hiatus, the groundbreaking festival that Sarah McLachlan co-founded in the late '90s as a platform to showcase female artists is gearing up for a second wave. Winding its way across North America this summer, the re-launched tour will hit several Canadian cities, including Calgary and Edmonton in late June and other Canadian cities further into its 30-plus date run. The bill, which varies from concert to concert, features the crème de la crème of female music stars (and their backing bands, which according to 'the rules' may include a few testosterone-filled blokes), such as Metric, Sheryl Crow, Mary J. Blige and Carly Simon, as well as of course, the driving force behind the endeavor, McLachlan herself.

Can't Miss Acts:

Erykah Badu: Bursting onto the scene in the latter part of '90s, the soulful songbird continues to keep fans on their toes with her electrifying bohemian-infused R&B and sometimes controversial music videos, like the one she recently unveiled for 'Window Seat.'

Tegan and Sara: Still winning affection for 2009's 'Sainthood,' the darling duo is just what Lilith Fair needs to appeal to the indie-lovers.

Rihanna: An about-face from the down-home singer-songwriter vibe the festival espoused the first time around, the fierce pop star is sure to have her own sexy slant on the whole girl-power thang.

What: Sled Island
When: June 30-July 3
Where: Calgary

Sled Island has quickly become Western Canada's music festival de jour, attracting big name acts like Spoon, the Walkmen, No Age and Monotonix since it kicked off in 2007. In addition to a massive concert held on July 2-3 in Calgary's Olympic Plaza park, the showcase also offers a format similar to the multi-venue barhopping set up of Austin's SXSW festival. With curators King Khan, Quintron & Miss Pussycat and F---ed Up taking the reins this year, chances are good that the upcoming Canada Day long weekend will be the most mayhem-filled on record for the Western city.

Can't Miss Acts:

Dinosaur Jr: Another alternative rock staple from yesteryear, the J Mascis-helmed project still has all the hooks and fuzzed-out intensity that won the praise of so many, including Kurt Cobain.

Ty Segall: The latest to cash in on the lo-fi psych craze, the San Francisco troubadour is a virtuoso when it comes to cock-eyed, no-frills rock 'n' roll.

GZA: Wu-Tang Clan mainstay remains the messiah of double-edged rhymes, and is a must-see for those looking for a recap of hip-hop's golden age.