Raoul Bhaneja, Divine Brown and guitarist Jake Chisholm in Life, Death and The Blues.Michael Cooper
A weekly feature that highlights the 10 best music happenings in Toronto. Here's what's on this week, Oct. 10 to 16.
Tom Wilson: A Family Gathering The song-master and larger-than-life folk-rock force – of Junkhouse, Lee Harvey Osmond and Blackie and the Rodeo Kings fame – shares a bill with the passionate alt-country songster Joe Nolan and the tuneful young rockers Harlan Pepper, a spirited troupe which includes Wilson's son. Oct. 10, 8:30 p.m. $30 to $32.50. Hugh's Room, 2261 Dundas St. W., 416-531-6604 or hughsroom.com.
Life, Death and the Blues A concert/theatre hybrid has been created by Gemini-nominated actor and blues artist Raoul Bhaneja, whose search for blues authenticity and entitlement involves autobiography, interview, live music, multimedia and the fabulous singer Divine Brown. To Oct. 19. $17 to $38. Theatre Passe Muraille, 16 Ryerson Ave., 416-504-7529 or passemuraille.ca.
Tafelmusik: The Canals of Venice A journey through Italian baroque, led by a singing gondolier played by Italian commedia dell'arte actor Alessandro Bressanello. Oct. 9 to 11 (8 p.m.) and Oct. 12 (3:30 p.m.). $20 to $59. Trinity-St.Paul's Centre, 427 Bloor St. W., 416-964-6337 or tafelmusik.org; Oct. 14, 8 p.m. $62 to $85.75. George Weston Recital Hall, 5040 Yonge St.,416-250-3708 or ticketmaster.ca.
John Southworth Oct. 12. When border crossing guards ask the elegant singer-songwriter if he has anything to declare, he answers that he certainly does, namely Niagara, a double album with one disc inspired by the Canadian side of Niagara Falls and the other one by the American side. Oct. 12, 8 p.m. $15. Music Gallery, 197 John St., 416-204-1080 or musicgallery.org.
Betty Who Who's the Australian popster being pegged as the Next Big Thing and/or the Jennifer Lawrence of music? Jessica Anne Newham (a.k.a. Betty Who) answers a question with a question. Oct. 13, 7 p.m. (doors). $18.50. Mod Club, 722 College St., ticketweb.ca.
Frazey Ford On her smokey new album Indian Ocean, the former Be Good Tanyas member progresses in country-soul directions, with help of the Hi Rhythm Section, the band behind All Green and others at the Memphis-based Hi Records label in the 1970s. Oct. 14, 7 p.m. (doors). $15. Rivoli, 334 Queen St. W., ticketfly.com.
TSO: Best of the Beatles Let us introduce to you, the band you haven't known for all these years: Rajaton, the Finnish ensemble who will uniquely sing Sgt. Pepper's Lonely Hearts Club Band in its entirety, with other Beatles hits offered as well. Oct. 14 (8 p.m.) and Oct. 15 (2 and 8 p.m.). Massey Hall, 178 Victoria St., 416-872-4255 or masseyhall.com.
Reel Indie Film Festival The opening night film of a festival devoted to music movies is Johnny Winter: Down & Dirty, a documentary on the late, great albino blues guitarist from Texas who, in addition to his own blues-rock success, resurrected the career of Muddy Waters late in the master's life. Oct 14 to 19 (Johnny Winter: Down & Dirty, Oct. 14, 7:00 pm). $5 to $10. The Royal, 608 College St., reelindiefilmfest.com.
The Wilderness of Manitoba The sonically evolving he-she singing folk-rockers launch their magical new album Between Colours with a hometown show. Oct. 16, 8:30 p.m. (doors). $12. Lee's Palace, 529 Bloor St. W., ticketfly.com.
X Avant Festival Kicking off the annual event of left-field music on Oct. 16 is is the New York electric zither player and New Age musician Laraaji, with Malian kora explorer Diely Mori Tounkara also on hand. Oct. 16 to 19. $10 to $15. 197 John St., 416-204-1080 or musicgallery.org.
BOOKING AHEAD
Red Bull Flying Bach Oct. 16 to 19. Massey Hall, 416-872-4255 or masseyhall.com
Fleetwood Mac Oct. 18. Air Canada Centre, 1-855-985-5000 or ticketmaster.ca
Heavy Trash Oct. 18. Horseshoe Tavern, ticketfly.com
Global Cabaret Festival Oct. 23 to 26. Young Centre, 416-866-8666 or globalcabaret.ca
Weewerk 13th Anniversary Party: Art Bergman, Tony Dekker, Two-Minute Miracles Oct. 24. Great Hall. Tickets at Rotate This and Soundscapes
Dream Serenade Benefit Concert: Feist, Sarah Harmer, Hayden, Jason Collett Oct. 25. Massey Hall, 416-872-4255 or masseyhall.com
Alice Cooper Oct. 30 Casino Rama, Rama, Ont., 1-855-985-5000 or ticketmaster.ca
Mounties Nov. 1. Lee's Palace, ticketfly.com
Carlos Varela Nov. 2. 416-588-0307 or lula.ca
Doug Paisley Nov. 7. Horseshoe Tavern, ticketfly.com
Bruce Cockburn Nov. 7 (sold out). Koerner Hall, 416-408-0208 or tickets.rcmusic.ca
Elizabeth Shepherd Nov. 15. Music Gallery, musicgallery.org.
Lucinda Williams Nov. 20. Massey Hall, 416-872-4255 or masseyhall.com
Cinderella: The Gags To Riches Family Musical Nov. 21 to Jan. 4, 2015. Elgin Theatre, 1-855-599-9090 or rosspetty.com
Stevie Wonder: Songs in the Key of Life Nov. 25. Air Canada Centre, 1-855-985-5000 or ticketmaster.ca
The Arkells Nov. 27 to 29. Danforth Music Hall, 1-855-985-5000 or ticketmaster.ca
Cat Stevens Dec. 1 (on sale Sept. 27, 10 a.m.). 416-872-4255 or masseyhall.com
The Hold Steady Dec. 10 to 13. Horseshoe Tavern, ticketfly.com
Timber Timbre Dec. 11 to 13. Lee's Palace, galleryac.com
John Mellencamp April 29, 2015. Hamilton Place Theatre, Hamilton, 1-855-985-5000 or ticketmaster.ca
John Mellencamp May 1 and 2, 2015. Sony Centre, 1-855-985-5000 or ticketmaster.ca
Brad Wheeler