Neil Young and the Chrome Hearts Bring the Love Earth Tour to Toronto: Canadian Concerts of the Week

This week, Afrobeats singer Davido and Canadian pop singer Kiesza boast shows on opposite sides of the nation. It's a busy week for concerts all across Canada. This week's concerts of the week also include Ethel Cain arriving in Vancouver, while legends Neil Young and Erykah Badu play Toronto.

Concerts of the Week

Neil Young and the Chrome Hearts, Budweiser Stage, Toronto — August 17,19

Neil Young and his band, the Chrome Hearts, are set to command the outdoors for two nights at Budweiser Stage. With the recent release of their first collaborative record, Talkin to the Trees, the group will welcome the audience into another vital chapter of the songwriter's creative odyssey. The Canadian rocker announced the global tour dates — which included a now mixed-reviewed Glastonbury set — back in February.

“Music unites!” Young wrote on his official website. “We will be there with you! Join us as we celebrate the Summer of Democracy. Old songs and new songs. Old words and new words. Long jams! We will come together this summer. The Chrome Hearts and I are ready for you! LOVE and Democracy reigns in the USA and the world.”

Last year, Young played outdoor venues all across North America with longtime band Crazy Horse, but cancelled the tour halfway through after several band members, including Young, became ill. Four months later, the Canadian legend reemerged with a new backing group, which features organist Spooner Oldham, guitarist Micah Nelson, bassist Corey McCormick and drummer Anthony LoGerfo.

Recently, the bandmates played a full-band version of Young’s hit “Ambulance Blues” — for the third time in his six-decade career — on an earlier stop of the Love Earth tour.

Tickets are available here.

Synchro System, Black Creek Assembly, York, Ontario — August 16

Toronto DJ collective Afrique Like Me have been major forces for African diasporic electronic music half a decade and are gearing up to release their first album this fall. In the meantime, they're presenting Syncho System, a 13-hour, three-stage event that will feature African-inspired sounds from afrobeats and amapiano to gqom and afrotech. With 24 artists, the festival is first of its kind when it comes to platforming African dance and afro-house music in the Canada.

The night is headlined by Nigerian star Sarz, whose song "Mona Lisa" with Lojay (and later remixed with Chris Brown) was just named one of Billboard's 50 Best Afrobeats Songs of All Time. This is Sarz's first-ever Canadian show. The festival features artists from all over Africa, the U.S. and Canada, including South African afrotech pioneer Thandi Draai, Toronto DJ and producer 4Korners, DJ Lambo (Burna Boy's tour DJ), plus Minzi Roberta, ⁠Hangaëlle, Le Curateur, Sudaneeya and many more.

Tickets are available here.

More Canadian Concerts of the Week

Davido, Fan Park at ICE District, Edmonton — August 15

Grammy-nominated Nigerian-American artist, Davido — who peaked at No. 2 on Billboard Canadian Albums with his 2023 release Timeless —is headlining Edmonton’s Afro Music Fest. Boasting vibrant performances, delicious cuisine and energetic dance experiences, the two-day festival focuses on bringing diverse cultures to the energy province. With hits like “Fall” and “Unavailable,” the global icon is at the helm on the fest’s opening night, inciting attendees to dance the night away.

Tickets are available here.

Erykah Badu & The Alchemist, History, Toronto — August 15

Acclaimed singer Erykah Badu and producer The Alchemist have been working on the Queen of Neo Soul’s first new album in 15 years. Ahead of their forthcoming project, Abi & Alan, the duo debuted new material at their Japan show in June — including recent single “Next To You.” It’s safe to say that when the duo takes the stage at History, they’ll preview some of the latest music.

Tickets are available here.

Ethel Cain, Queen Elizabeth Theatre, Vancouver — August 15

It's a double act year for singer-songwriter Ethel Cain. After her drone album, Perverts, came out in January, she followed up the project with this month’s release, Willoughby Tucker, I'll Always Love You. It’s a thematic prequel to Cain’s 2022 debut, Preacher’s Daughter, which hit No. 10 on the Billboard 200 in April following its first vinyl release. Cain’s lone date on the West Coast is elevated by Toronto's 9Million, who serve as the opening act on all of the singer’s upcoming tour dates.

Tickets are available here.

Kiesza, Le Belmont, Montreal — August 20

Kiesza’s 2014 hit “Hideaway” — which peaked at No. 5 on the Canadian Hot 100 — continues to resonate, and she's still releasing bangers. The Calgary-born electropop artist is set to take concertgoers to a new high as she brings new tunes like “Stay in Bed,” off her recent EP Dancing and Crying: Vol. 2, to an intimate Montreal venue.

Tickets are available here.