A city can never have enough summer music festivals. Second Summer Festival is an ambitious new indie fest in Toronto, September 24-26.
The venue takes place in venues throughout the west end, and the organizers share that it's "about soul, community and putting independent talent front and centre." It's anti-algorithm, they say, and more about real-world discovery.
Second Summer was founded by artist and label manager Brendan McCarney and inspired by his experiences of international festivals. The founder of Double Denim Mgmt in Toronto, he is also label manager for longstanding and prominent Canadian indie label, Paper Bag Records. McCarney serves as artistic director, with fellow artist manager Claire Rosenbaum (Last Gang Records, Eggplant Entertainment) on board as co-founder and festival director. MODO-LIVE was brought in to support talent buying and programming.
Ambitious in its scope, Second Summer will feature over 110 artists performing in 13 venues across the west end, from Bloor to Queen, Spadina to Lansdowne.
Headliners include cleopatrick, EKKSTACY, Militarie Gun, MIKE, High Vis, Folk Bitch Trio, Dune Rats, Esprit, W.I.T.C.H., Clarion and DEADLETTER.
Other notable names appearing in the first wave of artist announcements include Art d'Ecco, B.A. Johnston, Bells Larsen, Cartel Madras, Charlie Houston, Chinese Medicine, Cootie Catcher, Elephant Stone, Emma Goldman, Housewife, Graham Wright (of Tokyo Police Club), JayWood, Kiwi Jr, Lia Pappas-Kemps, Loviet, Menno Versteeg (Hollerado), Motorists, Pale Blue Eyes, PISS, Softcult, Ribbon Skirt, Rise Carmine, Skinny Dyck, sundayclub and Tallies.
Major Toronto club venues participating include the Horseshoe Tavern, Lee's Palace, The Garrison, Drake Underground, The Great Hall, Bovine Sex Club, Wavelength @ St. Anne's Parish and The Mod Club.
Tickets for Second Summer are on sale today (Friday, May 29) here.
As part of Second Summer, a boutique conference for emerging pros and industry leaders will take place September 24 & 25 at the Drake Hotel. Programming and keynotes will be announced this summer, with tickets available to the public.
