Kaytranada brought warm vibes to Toronto's Princes' Gates on Friday, March 21.
In a surprise, free concert presented by Converse, the Montreal producer played a unique set for 500 fans in a Toronto landmark.
The regal Gates are the entrance point to Toronto's Exhibition Place, where the Canadian National Exhibition takes place every summer. Though the Exhibition grounds are known for free music events, they don't usually take place right in the grand arch. Kaytranada's performance marked the first-ever show there, setting up a stage inside the entryway.
Theo Demeke
The show was announced to fans creatively — on TikTok, one attendee said she found out about it by scanning a QR code on a TTC ad. Free tickets were available on Resident Advisor, and were sold-out within two hours.
With mood lighting and a smoke machine, the Grammy-winning DJ and producer played tracks from his 2024 release Timeless as well as fan favourites like his 2023 collab with H.E.R. "Intimidated" and Drake remixes for the Toronto crowd.
Kaytranada was one of few Canadian artists nominated at this year's Grammys, and is up for artist of the year and electronic album of the year at the Junos this month.
He heads on tour to Europe this spring and is slated to play B.C.'s FVDED IN THE PARK and Ottawa BluesFest this summer. Check out his full tour dates here.
The show follows similar Converse pop-ups from Tyler, The Creator, who played surprise outdoor Chromakopia sets in New York and Boston last year. The shoe brand has been expanding its presence within music lately, partnering with artists including Charli XCX, Vince Staples and Lil Yachty.
