Plus, Vancouver indie rockers Said The Whale celebrate 20 years with a hometown show, RAYE brings her acclaimed new album to Laval and Toronto and more.
In support of his debut album, Stay With the Ocean, I’ll Find You, Yung Kai is hitting up Toronto to play a sold-out at show at The Mod Club. While the B.C.-native kicked off his career on TikTok — thanks to the success of his viral hit “Blue” — he has grown his audience IRL, expanding his fanbase across Canada and beyond.
Also this week, Vancouver indie rock band Said The Whale plays a hometown gig to celebrate their 20th anniversary and rising Toronto-born pop singer Tiffany Day celebrates her sophomore record with an album release show in Toronto. Then, U.K. singer RAYE heads to Laval and Toronto, in support of her latest album, This Music May Contain Hope and Florence + The Machine creeps into Montreal and Toronto to play songs from their latest record, Everybody Scream.
advertisement
Concert of the Week
Yung Kai, The Mod Club, Toronto – April 9
After going viral on TikTok, Yung Kai is making a name for himself, playing a sold-out show at Toronto’s The Mod Club.
Like many viral rising stars, the Chinese-Canadian artist got his start by sharing song covers on the social media video app. Two years ago, Yung Kai branched out into original material with "Blue.” The breezy and romantic song, inspired by the Chinese drama When I Fly Towards You, became a runaway hit for the B.C. singer-songwriter, born Max Zhang, on streaming platforms.
It peaked at No. 19 on the Billboard Global 200 and No. 92 on the Billboard Canadian Hot 100 — his first entry on both charts. Since its release, it has reached over a billion global streams and became gold-certified in his home country.
The song has carried on a life of its own, being used in anime edits and expanding Yung Kai’s audience beyond his home country, reaching fans in Asia. “I love my life right now,” he told Billboard Canada at this year’s Juno Awards, where he was nominated for breakthrough artist of the year. While “Blue” has become Yung Kai’s signature song, it’s featured on the bedroom pop singer’s debut album, Stay With the Ocean, I’ll Find You, releasedlast September.
advertisement
As he comes into Toronto, playing the second of two Canadian dates on his headlining tour, he will play songs in support of the acclaimed record. While he got his start on the internet, Yung Kai cultivates an intimate, cozy experience on-stage, mirroring his online presence. The indie-pop musician effortlessly blends soft guitar soundscapes with smooth vocals that engage listeners.
Elevating his relatively short discography, Yung Kai has previously performed covers, including one of Daniel Caesar’s “Best Part.”
Said The Whale, Hollywood Theatre, Vancouver — April 11
For nearly two decades, indie rockers Said The Whale have been on a relentless pursuit of pop-rock perfection. While they’ve swapped out band members, changed labels and moved to a fully independent model, seven albums in, the Vancouver group has solidified themselves as part of Canada’s music pantheon. Now featuring over 150 songs in their discography, they’re set to play a hometown show to celebrate their 20th anniversary.
After her cover of Leonard Cohen’s "Hallelujah” went viral as a teen, Toronto-born pop singer Tiffany Day set out to make waves for her own work. In support of her sophomore record, Halo, released earlier this month, Day will celebrate with a sold-out gig. The 26-year-old has made her live show a staple of her artistry, fusing choreography, cinematic visuals and DJ-driven transitions — evolving her from internet-era roots into a fully realized artist.
RAYE, Place Bell, Laval — April 12; Coca-Cola Coliseum, Toronto — April 13
RAYE is on a hot streak. Last month, the U.K. singer-songwriter released her second record, This Music May Contain Hope, debuting at No. 10 on the Billboard Canadian Albums chart. It’s already received acclaim, thanks to singles like “Where Is My Husband!” and “Click Clack Symphony," the former of which has hit No. 5 on the Billboard Canadian Hot 100. The international R&B-pop artist is set to play two sold-out shows in Montreal suburb Laval and Toronto — perhaps she might find her husband in Canada?
Florence + The Machine, Centre Bell, Montreal — April 15; Scotiabank Arena, Toronto — April 16
Everybody Scream! That’s the name of Florence + The Machine’s latest album that she’ll be bringing to Montreal and Toronto. Released last Halloween, the album peaked at No. 9 on the Canadian Albums chart. Now, they’re keeping the spooky vibes going, bringing a high-drama performance to arena audiences that blends theatrical sensibilities with folk-horror aesthetics. “I can come here and scream as loud as I want,” frontwoman Florence Welch wrote on Instagram, announcing the tour. If you live in one of those cities, you can, too.
