Plus, The Strumbellas brings their anthemic folk-rock sound to Calgary, and Inuk singer-songwriter Elisapie’s soulful voice and eclectic production are set to captivate Toronto.
Ms.Lauryn Hill is performing a series of intimate shows across Canada. This week, the hip-hop and R&B icon is making intimate venue stops in Hamilton, Ontario and Montreal, bringing her decades-spanning catalogue to eager listeners.
Plus, The Strumbellas are hitting western Canada for an electric, yet emotional evening, while British singer Billie Marten’s delicate soundscapes will charm Montreal concertgoers. Inuk singer-songwriter performs her second-to-last show in Toronto, while PUP brings their latest project to a string of Canadian cities and Grammy winner John Legend celebrates the 20th anniversary of his debut album in Vancouver.
Concert of the Week
Lauryn Hill, FirstOntario Concert Hall, Hamilton — November 30; Place Des Arts, Montreal — December 3
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Ms. Lauryn Hill is back in Canada.
Earlier this month, Independent, female-led promoter F7 Live announced that the legendary American singer and Fugees member was set to take the stage across Canada in a series of shows in intimate venues.
This week, she makes stops in Hamilton, Ontario and Montréal, Quebec. In her decades-spanning career, Hill has amassed a following for her timeless music, hitmaking prowess and no-nonsense attitude. Some of her biggest hits include “Doo Wop (That Thing)” and “Ex-Factor” — both tracks off Hill’s The Miseducation Of Lauryn Hill, which peaked at No. 1 on Billboard Canadian Albums for two weeks after its release in 1998.
The impact of that legendary debut solo album has lasted for over two decades, influencing some of today’s biggest artists. In 2018, Drake sampled “Ex-Factor” on his Scorpion track, “Nice for What,” a track that stayed at No. 1 for four weeks on the Billboard Canadian Hot 100. This past July, Hill performed a mashup of the two tracks with the rapper during day one of his three-day stint at the U.K. Wireless Music Festival.
Hill’s eight-date Artist In Residence tour marks her return to the Canadian stage since 2023 — she performed at Vancouver’s Rogers Arena and Toronto’s Scotiabank Arena on The Miseducation of Lauryn Hill 25th Anniversary Tour, before the remaining North American shows came to a quiet ending after Hill cited vocal issues.
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With the excitement of Hill’s return, extra shows were added to select cities, including this week’s show in Montreal. Now, there will be an earlier second show on the same day as its previously announced date (Dec. 3).
The Strumbellas, The Palace Theatre, Calgary — November 28
After weaving in and out of the Billboard Canada Modern Rock Airplay chart — most recently with “Come Back Around” — the Strumbellas are hitting Western Canada. With soaring melodies, rich harmonies and an undeniable stage presence, the Ontario band promises an evening that’s equal parts electric and emotional.
Billie Marten, Théâtre Fairmount, Montreal — November 29
After playing Toronto and Vancouver earlier this year, British singer-songwriter Billie Marten is back for a string of Canadian shows, including one at Montreal’s Théâtre Fairmount. In support of her new album, Dog Eared, released in July on Fiction Records, the indie-folk musician will perform her delicate, lyrical tracks to the Francophone city, including ditties like “La Lune” and “Vanilla Baby.”
Elisapie, Danforth Music Hall, Toronto — November 30
Playing her second-to-last live show of 2025, Inuk singer-songwriter Elisapie is bringing her soulful voice and eclectic production to a Toronto crowd. Earlier this year, Elisapie released a remix EP of her 2023 Polaris Music Prize-nominated covers album, Inuktitut, which she created alongside Montreal electronic producer Hologramme. Now, she’s closing out the year with a bang.
PUP, MacEwan Hall, Calgary — November 29; Coors Event Theatre, Saskatoon — December 1; Burton Cummings Theatre, Winnipeg — December 2
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Toronto-based punk band PUP are bringing their most recent album, Who Will Look After the Dogs?, released via Rise Records, to a string of Canadian cities. That was their fourth straight album to chart on the Billboard Canadian Albums chart. After a mini-tour of their own hometown in the summer, the group has yet to let up on the gas, as they continue on their cross-country journey. Joining the quartet on their last leg of shows is Snotty Nose Rez Kids, which is bound to be a heavenly double-billing for eclectic concertgoers.
Celebrating 20 years of his debut studio album, Get Lifted, soul singer John Legend is performing his first Grammy-winning project on the Canadian west coast. The special anniversary tour allows fans to experience the soulful hits that launched his career, alongside fan favourites, in an unforgettable night that showcases the musical depth and storytelling that have been hallmarks of Legend’s artistry for the past two decades.
