Adam Lambert, right, performs alongside Brian May of Queen.Chris Pizzello
A weekly feature that highlights the 10 best music happenings in Toronto. Here's what's on this week, July 11 to 17.
Joel Miller Quartet From Montreal, a Juno-winning saxophonist with an interest in Afro-Peruvian rhythms. July 10 to 12, 8 p.m. (three sets nightly). $8 to $15. Jazz Bistro, 251 Victoria St., 416-363-5299 or jazzbistro.ca.
Waterfront Blues An easy-going three-day affair (with room for children and beer gardens both) is headlined by Chicago's Otis Clay and Mississippi's Johnny Rawls on Saturday, with Sugar Ray & The Bluetones and the soulful Harrison Kennedy on tap for Sunday. July 11 to 13. Free. Woodbine Park (at Coxwell and Eastern avenues), waterfrontblues.ca.
Jake Clemons His influences are John Coltrane and, as one might have guessed, Clarence Clemons. The nephew of the late saxophonist Clemons and his replacement in Bruce Springsteen's E Street Band drops in for a night of channelling, as well as presenting his own singer-songwriter fare. July 12, 9 p.m. $25 to $100. Cadillac Lounge, 1296 Queen St. W., 416-536-7717 or ticketfly.com.
Seun Kuti & Egypt 80 The son of Afrobeat innovator Fela Kuti and the brother to Femi Kuti leads his father's former band. July 12, 8 p.m. $30. Phoenix Concert Theatre, 410 Sherbourne St., ticketweb.ca.
The Gibson Brothers It would seem that bluegrass music grows harmony-singing siblings – the brothers Stanley, Louvin, Kruger and Gibson, for example – as proficiently as the soil of Kentucky grows bluegrass itself. July 12 8:30 p.m. $22.50 to $25. Hugh's Room, 2261 Dundas St. W., 416-531-6604 or hughsroom.com.
Gretchen's Muse String Quartet The stated mission of the New York chamber music ensemble, founded in 2012, is to "present a full and nuanced picture of the music of the 18th century." July 13, 4 p.m. Free. Toronto Music Garden, 479 Queens Quay W., 416-973-4000 or harbourfrontcentre.com.
Queen and Adam Lambert The bombastic British rockers carry on, along with a crazy little thing called Adam Lambert, the flamboyant former American Idol runner-up who stands in for the late Freddie Mercury. July 13, 8 p.m. $46.50 to $146.50. Air Canada Centre, 50 Bay St., 1-855-985-5000 or ticketmaster.ca.
Corin Raymond: The Great Canadian Tire Money Caper The charismatic folk musician and raconteur delivers a one-man musical monologue about his funny-money crowdfunded live album. July 14, 8 p.m. $10. Cameron House, 408 Queen St. W., 416-703-0811 or ticketfly.com; July 17 to 27. Hamilton Fringe Festival, Hamilton, hamiltonfringe.ca.
Future The idiosyncratic, self-assured American rapper tours in support of his dizzy recent album Honest. July 14, 10 p.m. $48.75. Sound Academy, 11 Polson St., 1-855-985-5000 or ticketmaster.ca.
Jason Isbell The former Drive-By Trucker is at the top of his alt-country songwriting game with his breakout album Southeastern. Opening is the gifted, plaid-shirted country crooner Doug Paisley. July 15, 8 p.m. $23.50. Phoenix Concert Theatre, 410 Sherbourne St., ticketfly.com.
BOOKING AHEAD
Katy Perry July 18, 19 and 21. Air Canada Centre, 1-855-985-5000 or ticketmaster.ca
Beaches International Jazz Festival July 18 to 27. beachesjazz.com
Edgefest 2: Ubiquitous Synergy Seeker, Ms Mr, Said the Whale July 18. Echo Beach. 1-855-985-5000 or ticketmaster.ca
James Taylor July 24. Molson Amphitheatre, 1-855-985-5000 or ticketmaster.ca
Smokey Robinson Aug. 1. Casino Rama, 1-855-985-5000 or ticketmaster.ca
Edgefest 3: Our Lady Peace, Sloan, I Mother Earth Aug 16. Echo Beach , 1-855-985-5000 or ticketmaster.ca
Toronto's Festival of Beer: K-os, the Trews, Matthew Good July 25 to 27, Bandshell Park, beerfestival.ca
Bruno Mars and Pahrell Williams July 26 and 27. Air Canada Centre, 1-855-985-5000 or ticketmaster.ca
Albert Lee Aug. 27. Hugh's Room, 416-531-6604 or hughsroom.com
Lorde Sept. 12. Echo Beach, 1-855-985-5000 or ticketmaster.ca
The Weeknd Sept. 21 Molson Amphitheatre, 1-855-985-5000 or ticketmaster.ca
Sharon Van Etten Oct. 7. Opera House, ticketfly.com
Sinéad O'Connor Oct. 24. Massey Hall, 416– 872-4255 or masseyhall.com
Bahamas (with Barr Brothers) Nov. 21. Danforth Music Hall, 1-855-985-5000 or ticketmaster.ca
Brad Wheeler