By Bill King
Andy Kim Christmas
Massey Hall, December 2021, brought back the spirit of Christmas as Andy Kim consecrated the venue, the official home of Andy Kim’s annual yuletide celebrity fundraiser of CAMH’s Gifts of Light. This comes after a two-year Covid closure - empty nightclubs, restaurants, bars, and venues. It was also a test for those gathering in proximity—half masked, the other—braving the conditions - looking for a sense of normalcy. I said this after photographing and the long hang; happiness ruled the occasion. The many faces from beyond the GTA reminded me of those who attend the Royal Winter Fair, the Art Shows, and winter interludes, - folks from nearby districts with little in common with the Toronto elites. The working class, the farmland caretakers, the auto mechanics, the elementary school teachers, a real mix of humanity there to enjoy whatever Kim planned for the evening. No critics, no concert reviewers, nothing judgemental, just families out to embrace the holidays in a fashion gone silent with all the decor and familiarity of those remembered gatherings.
Canadian bands Metric, The Sadies and Broken Social Scene will bring the sounds at this year’s Andy Kim Christmas charity concert. Kim’s annual fundraiser for CAMH Gifts of Light, supporting patients at the Centre for Addiction and Mental Health, is his 19th. Others scheduled: Dan Hill, Scott Helman, Molly Johnson, Ron Sexsmith, and more to be announced.
The show takes place at Toronto’s Massey Hall on Dec. 7 with tickets going on sale at Ticketmaster.
I caught up with Andy for a warm and charitable conversation. This is where we start at this week's FYIMusicNews podcast.
The Alchemist hosts a pop-up at 180g in MontrealStefano Rebuli / Billboard Canada
Fans outside 180g for The Alchemist's Montreal pop-up.Stefano Rebuli / Billboard Canada
An autographed vinyl at The Alchemist's Montreal pop-up.Stefano Rebuli / Billboard Canada