Toronto concert guide: 42 of the biggest and best shows to check out this summer

Toronto Star

19-06-2025

With the 50,000-capacity Rogers Stadium set to open at the end of June, summer 2025 might be the biggest season for live music in Toronto in years.
Whether you're looking to join the crowds in Downsview Park or searching for a more intimate show in the city, here's a comprehensive guide to the biggest and best gigs between June and September.
The Big Ones
Coldplay
July 7-8, 11-12 at Rogers Stadium
Coldplay's Jonny Buckland, Chris Martin, Will Champion and Guy Berryman perform at the Rose Bowl in 2023.
CP
An astonishing 200,000 Coldplay fans are set to descend on North York this summer for the band's four-show residency at Rogers Stadium. The British pop-rock veterans have been on the road for more than two years on the globe-trotting Music of the Spheres World Tour, which has already grossed more than $1.25 billion dollars and been attended by more than 10 million fans. The colourful, environmentally friendly spectacle will feature songs spanning the band's nearly 30-year career and will feature support from two emerging international talents: Palestinian-Chilean singer Elyanna and Nigerian artist Ayra Starr.
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Blackpink
July 22-23 at Rogers Stadium
HODELETE NC Blackpink's Jisoo, clockwise from bottom left, Rose, Jennie and Lisa in 'Light Up the Sky.' (�Courtesy of YG/Netflix/TNS)
Courtesy of YG TNS
The biggest girl group on planet Earth is returning to Toronto for two dates as part of their first-ever all-stadium world tour, which kicks off in their native South Korea in early July.
Find tickets here.
The Weeknd, Playboi Carti & Mike Dean
July 27-28 and Aug. 7-8 at Rogers Centre
The Weeknd performing during the 2022 'After Hours Til Dawn' stadium tour at Mercedes Benz Stadium on Aug. 11, 2022, in Atlanta.
Paul R. Giunta / THE CANADIAN PRESS
Will this be the last chance to see The Weeknd perform on home soil? The Toronto R&B and pop superstar, whose real name is Abel Tesfaye, recently told the New York Times that he plans to bid farewell to his shadowy alter ego following the release of 'Hurry Up Tomorrow,' a thriller film that was released as a companion to his 2025 album of the same name. Later, he told EW that though the film feels like the death of his moniker, 'it could also just be a rebirth.' Regardless of what happens down the road, fans won't want to miss a chance to see The Weeknd on the massive stage at Rogers Centre alongside the ultra-popular rage-rap pioneer Playboi Carti and legendary producer Mike Dean.
Find tickets here.
Tate McRae
Aug. 19-20 at Scotiabank Arena
Tate McRae performs during iHeartRadio Hot 99.5's Jingle Ball 2024 Presented By Capital One at Capital One Arena on December 17, 2024 in Washington, DC.
Michael Loccisano / Getty Images
After appearing on 'Saturday Night Live' and winning a boatload of Junos — including single of the year, album of the year, artist of the year and pop album of the year — Calgary's homegrown pop star is hitting the road for The Miss Possessive Tour in support of her third studio album 'So Close to What.' McRae's first ever arena tour includes two stops in Toronto in August.
Find tickets here.
Oasis
Aug. 24-25 at Rogers Stadium
An Oasis fan is photographed next to a new mural depicting Liam and Noel Gallagher of Oasis, on August 28, 2024 in Manchester, England.
Christopher Furlong / Getty Images
It's finally happening. After flaming out more than 15 years ago, Oasis is finally set to reunite in what was long thought an impossibility. And if the infamously combative Gallagher brothers can keep things civil for just a few weeks longer, they will grace the stage of Rogers Stadium for two nights in late August. Fingers crossed, and good luck grabbing tickets if you haven't already.
Find tickets here.
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System of a Down with Deftones
Sept. 3-4 at Rogers Stadium
System of a Down will play in Toronto this summer with Deftones.
In May, footage emerged on social media from a System of a Down (SOAD) concert in Brazil, and it looked absolutely bonkers. To the average music fan, the clip looks like chaos, but to those who grew up in the nu-metal trenches, it looks like heaven. In what will be their first show in Toronto in more than a decade, SOAD will be joined by fellow '90s alternative metal titans Deftones in what is sure to be two rowdy shows at Rogers Stadium this September.
Find tickets here.
Morgan Wallen
Sept. 4-5 at Rogers Centre
Country superstar Morgan Wallen can't seem to avoid controversy, but that hasn't stopped him from becoming one of the most popular crossover country acts in North America. The Tennessee singer's latest album — the 37-track 'I'm the Problem' — easily reached No.1 on the Billboard 200 in May, making it the singer's third consecutive chart-topping album. Wallen is bringing the road show to Toronto for two mega-shows at Rogers Centre with Miranda Lambert and Gavin Adcock this September.
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Lady Gaga
Sept. 10-11, 13 at Scotiabank Arena
Lady Gaga gave a free concert in Rio de Janeiro on Saturday night in front of at least a million fans who poured onto Copacabana Beach for the biggest show of her career. (AP Video / May 4, 2025)
The Little Monsters are in for a big treat this September when Lady Gaga returns to Toronto for The Mayhem Ball, which was announced following the overwhelming response to the artist's headlining set at Coachella, along with promotional concerts in Rio, Mexico City and Singapore. In a statement explaining her decision to perform at arenas (smaller venues than stadiums, where she has performed in the past), Gaga described the spectacle as 'designed to be the kind of theatrical and electrifying experience that brings 'Mayhem' to life exactly how I envision it.' Good news for those who managed to get tickets. Bad news for those who are still on the hunt.
Find tickets here.
Tyler, The Creator
July 24-25 at Scotiabank Arena
Tyler, the Creator, seen here at the 2018 Grammys in New York City, will bring his 'Chromakopia' world tour to Toronto next July.
Christopher Polk Getty Images
Released last October, Tyler, the Creator's 'Chromakopia' landed on the Star's list of top albums of 2024. To support the record, the eccentric hip hop shape-shifter will be heading out on a world tour with Lil Yachty and Paris Texas, including two dates in Toronto.
Find tickets here.
Nine Inch Nails
Aug. 23 at Scotiabank Arena
Trent Reznor and Atticus Ross are taking a break from composing incredible film scores to get the band back together. Though Nine Inch Nails haven't released any new music in half a decade, the industrial rock titans will hit the road for the first time since 2022 with support from German electro-house producer Boys Noize.
Find tickets here.
Dua Lipa
Sept. 1-2 at Scotiabank Arena
Dua Lipa performing at Austin City Limits in October, 2024.
Jack Plunkett/AP
It's been more than two years since disco-pop superstar Dua Lipa tore the roof off Scotiabank Arena, but she's finally plotting her return. She'll perform two shows at the same venue in September in support of her third studio album, 'Radical Optimism.'
Find tickets here.
Hozier
Sept. 10 at Rogers Stadium
When the heck did Hozier get so big? The Irish singer-songwriter, who first hit the scene in 2013 with the hit song 'Take Me to Church,' has quietly emerged as one of the biggest artists in modern rock. In recent years, the handsome rock star has played the Danforth, the Rebel and various other venues in Toronto. But this September, he's graduated to the big leagues and will play to tens of thousands of fans at Rogers Stadium.
Find tickets here.
Legends and Legacy Acts
Mavis Staples
June 23 at Elgin and Winter Garden Theatres
Mavis Staples performs onstage with The Celebration Gospel Choir in 2019.
Brent N. Clarke/Invision/AP
Mavis Staples is a true icon of American culture: a legendary blues, gospel and R&B singer; a Rock and Roll Hall of Famer; a civil rights activist and an uncompromising voice for peace. This summer, the 85-year-old will grace the stage of the Elgin and Winter Garden Theatres as a headliner for the 38th annual Toronto Jazz Festival. It's a show music fans will not want to miss.
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James Taylor
June 27 at Budweiser Stage
Picture this: You and a loved one, watching the sun set over Lake Ontario on a long summer evening, as the sweet, dulcet voice of James Taylor floats gently into your ears. This relaxing experience can be your reality for a very reasonable price, with the soft rock prince set to perform at the Bud Stage alongside his 'All-Star Band' this June.
Find tickets here.
Stevie Nicks
Aug. 15 at Scotiabank Arena
Once dubbed the Reigning Queen of Rock and Roll, Stevie Nicks is showing no sign of slowing down some six decades into her storied career. The Fleetwood Mac frontwoman and acclaimed songwriter will grace the stage at Scotiabank this August, where she'll play songs from across her sprawling catalogue.
Find tickets here.
Neil Young and the Chrome Hearts
Aug. 17 & 19 at Budweiser Stage
Neil Young performs onstage at the Greek Theatre on April 26, 2025 in Los Angeles, California.
Kevin Winter Getty Images
Neil Young is nearly 80, but the beloved Canadian rock star seems to possess boundless amounts of energy. He's got a new protest album on the way this summer (a recent single about electric cars takes a shot at Elon Musk) and is hitting the road for the Love Earth world tour, where he'll perform alongside the Chrome Hearts, a new band made up of guitarist Micah Nelson, bassist Corey McCormick, drummer Anthony LoGerfo and organist Spooner Oldham.
Find tickets here.
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The Who
Sept. 2, 4 at Budweiser Stage
'All good things must come to an end,' guitarist and vocalist Pete Townshend wrote in a statement announcing The Who's North American farewell tour, which is being touted as the 'grand finale of their illustrious six-decade career.' Though this is far from the first time The Who has said goodbye — fans note that the British rock band has embarked on several 'farewell' tours dating back to 1982 — it's probably worth seeing Townshend and singer Roger Daltrey while you still can.
Find tickets here.
Let's Get Nostalgic
Dave Matthews Band
July 8 at Budweiser Stage
Sure, DMB is not the coolest band in the world, but they are considered one of the great live acts, known for their epic jams and for their experimental renditions of songs spanning their 35-year career. So why not 'Crash' into the Bud Stage on a warm July evening and enjoy the sweet sounds of Charlottesville's finest?
Find tickets here.
Wu-Tang Clan
July 14 at Scotiabank Arena
RZA, left, and Ghostface Killah of Wu-Tang Clan perform during KAABOO 2019 at the Del Mar Racetrack and Fairgrounds on Sept. 13, 2019, in San Diego.
(Photo by Amy Harris/Invision/AP, File)
Could this really be the end of Wu-Tang? 'This is a special moment for me and all my Wu brothers to run around the globe together one more time and spread the Wu swag, music, and culture,' RZA said in a statement, which describes the 'The Final Chamber' as a farewell tour for the legendary Staten Island hip hop collective. The show will feature all the surviving members of the Clan — RZA, GZA, Raekwon, Ghostface Killah, Method Man, Inspectah Deck, U-God, Masta Killa, and Cappadonna — along with Ol' Dirty Bastard's son, Young Dirty Bastard. If you're going to the Toronto show, be sure to arrive in time to check out the opening set from the hip hop superduo Run the Jewels.
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The Offspring, Jimmy Eat World & New Found Glory
July 23 at Budweiser Stage
What do the Offspring, Jimmy Eat World and New Found Glory have in common? Beyond the fact that they were all massive Y2K-era rock bands, I'm not really sure! But the fellas will all share the Bud Stage this July for the 'Supercharged' tour, launched in support of the Offspring's latest album, released last year.
Find tickets here.
Where The Party At Tour
July 31 at Budweiser Stage
Are you looking to party like it's 2001? Then grab your Diesel jeans and buy yourself a ticket to the Where The Party At Tour at Bud Stage. The mini festival's lineup features some of the biggest hitters from the Y2K era of hip hop and R&B, including Nelly, Ja Rule, Eve, Chingy and St. Lunatics.
Find tickets here.
Goo Goo Dolls and Dashboard Confessional
Aug. 10 at Budweiser Stage
There are few things better than an outdoor concert on a hot summer day, but if you're a Goo Goo Dolls fan, you might find yourself praying for rain. This August, the post-grunge pop rock band from Buffalo will be joined by the emo-rock group Dashboard Confessional at Bud Stage for what is sure to be a night of tight jeans and big emotions. If there is indeed rain in the forecast, don't worry about an umbrella. Just feel that rain on your skin.
Find tickets here.
Lil Wayne
Aug. 11 at Budweiser Stage
Lil Wayne performs during the MTV Video Music Awards.
Charles Sykes / Charles Sykes/Invision/AP
'Tha Carter VI,' Lil Wayne's first studio album in half a decade, was not exactly a masterpiece, but the New Orleans rapper remains among the most beloved and influential artists in the history of hip hop. He'll hit Bud Stage in August alongside Tyga and Belly Gang Kushington, and there's a halfway decent chance that one Drake might show up, too.
Find tickets here.
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Pulp
Sept. 16 at Budweiser Stage
Earlier this spring, Pulp released 'More,' the legendary Britpop band's first record in 24 years. In a press release, frontman Jarvis Cocker said the album was recorded over three weeks: 'the shortest amount of time a Pulp album has ever taken to record,' adding that it was 'obviously ready to happen.' Now, the band is sharing that sense of renewal with the 'Common People' on a tour that will stop at Bud Stage in September.
Find tickets here.
Hometown Heroes
Broken Social Scene
June 21 at History
Why not celebrate the official start of summer with the triumphant sounds of Broken Social Scene? Toronto's most influential indie rock collective will be throwing a massive party at History as part of this year's Jazz Fest, and it's sure to be a blast. Fans can prepare for the show by listening to 'Anthems,' a brand new celebration of the band's 2002 classic 'You Forgot It in People,' which features covers from Maggie Rogers and Sylvan Esso, Toro y Moi, Middle Kids, the Weather Station and many more.
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Pup
July 13-15, 17-19 at various venues.
Toronto punk band PUP, from left, Nestor Chumak, Stefan Babcock, Steve Sladkowski and Zack Mykula.
Vanessa Heins / Submitted
Toronto punk rock titans Pup are celebrating the release of their fifth LP, 'Who Will Look After the Dogs?' with an exciting and unique concept: starting in mid-July, the band will perform a string of six shows, starting with a small house show and moving to progressively larger venues throughout the week — Sneaky Dee's, Lee's Palace, Opera House, The Danforth — and culminating with a massive concert at History.
Find tickets here.
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Our Lady Peace
July 24 at Budweiser Stage
One of the biggest bands in Canadian alternative rock history is celebrating their 30th anniversary with a string of dates this summer, including a stop at Bud Stage with Collective Soul and Wintersleep. Fans can expect to hear all of OLP's greatest hits from over the decades: 'Superman's Dead,' 'Clumsy,' 'In Repair' and much more.
Find tickets here.
Blue Rodeo, Allison Russell and Aysanabee
Aug. 23 at Bud Stage
Blue Rodeo's Jim Cuddy and Greg Keelor.
George Pimentel
Blue Rodeo, the Toronto-based roots-rock journeymen, are hitting Bud Stage this summer for a very special hometown show featuring support from two great live acts: Montreal-born artist Allison Russell, whose music combines R&B, soul, folk and Americana, and Toronto-based singer-songwriter Aysanabee, whose booming baritone has made him one of the most acclaimed Indigenous artists of the past half decade.
Find tickets here.
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The Return of the Aughts
My Chemical Romance
Aug. 22 at Rogers Centre
My Chemical Romance lead singer Gerard Way's at Virgin Festival in Vancouver.
JEFF VINNICK FOR THE TORONTO STAR
Dust off those skinny jeans and head to Sephora for a new eyeliner. Nearly two decades after My Chemical Romance released 'The Black Parade,' a beloved and acclaimed emo-rock opus, the band is embarking on a massive stadium tour. For their Toronto stop, they'll be joined by a very special guest: Boston alt-rock legends the Pixies.
Find tickets here.
TV on the Radio
Aug. 1 at History
Brooklyn art-rock band TV on the Radio are touring for the first time in half a decade to mark the deluxe reissue of their 2004 classic 'Desperate Youth, Blood Thirsty Babes.' The band's only other show is at Osheaga in Montreal, and who knows when they will tour again, so grab a ticket while you can (and check out their awesome NPR Tiny Desk performance from last year).
Find tickets here.
Linkin Park
Aug. 8 at Scotiabank Arena
Linkin Park is back on tour for the first time since the 2017, when the band went on indefinite hiatus following the death of lead vocalist Chester Bennington. The Grammy-winning alternative rock group reformed last fall with vocalist Emily Armstrong and drummer Colin Brittain, to release 'From Zero.' Toronto fans will get their first chance to see the new version of Linkin Park for the first time at Scotiabank this August.
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LCD Soundsystem
James Murphy of LCD Soundsystem.
Richard Lautens / Toronto Star
Aug. 22-24 at History
Make sure you do your stretches if you're one of thousands of aging millennials heading down to History for one of three LCD Soundsystem shows at History this summer. The New York dance-punk revivalists are back on the road to defend their reputation as one of the rowdiest live acts of the indie sleaze era, led by their fearless frontman James Murphy.
Find tickets here.
Alabama Shakes
Sept 6. at Budweiser Stage
Brittany Howards of Alabama Shakes.
Rich Fury/Invision/AP
For years, it was fair to assume that Alabama Shakes would never reunite, especially given the success and acclaim of frontwoman Brittany Howard's solo career, and the legal trouble faced by drummer Steve Johnson. And yet, last December, the beloved blues-rock band announced they would be returning to the stage as a three-piece, and shared that there might even be new music on the way. 'This band and these songs have been such a source of joy for all of us,' Howard wrote in a statement announcing their return. 'It is crazy that it has been 10 years since we released 'Sound & Color' and eight years since we played a show. But, we didn't want this to entirely be a look back. We wanted it to be as much about the future as the past.'
Find tickets here.
Can't-Miss Indie Shows
Makaya McCraven
June 25 at The Mod Club
Chicago-based drummer and composer Makaya McCraven will grace the stage at The Mod Club as part of the Toronto Jazz Fest this summer. McCraven's unique sound collapses the borders between genres, blending classic and modern styles of jazz with hip-hop and folk music. New fans might want to start with ' Deciphering The Message,' a recent project that featured modern interpretations of jazz standards from the legendary Blue Note Records label. The music will have you bobbing your head and asking yourself why you don't listen to more jazz, guaranteed.
Find tickets here.
Jeremy Dutcher
June 21 at Roy Thomson Hall
Last fall, Jeremy Dutcher became the first artist ever to win a second Polaris Music Prize for his sophomore album 'Motewolonuwok.' This summer, fans will have a chance to see the Wolastoqiyik singer-songwriter, whose music moves between lush neo-classical and rollicking art-rock, for a special performance marking both Pride and National Indigenous Day alongside the Toronto Symphony Orchestra at Roy Thomson Hall.
Find tickets here.
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Kurt Vile & the Violators
July 11 at the Danforth Music Hall
In recent years, Kurt Vile has performed at the Danforth pretty much every summer, and it's always an absolute delight. Known for his mellow drawl and his quietly brilliant guitar playing, few artists are better at locking into a hypnotic groove that makes listeners feel like they're riding a cloud into the infinite horizon.
Find tickets here.
Beck and the Toronto Symphony Orchestra
July 18 and 19 @ Roy Thomson Hall
Nearly three decades since he released his zeitgeist-defining album 'Odelay,' American singer-songwriter Beck has quietly become one of the most successful alt-rock artists of his generation (it remains hard to believe he won the Grammy for Album of the Year in 2015). In July, the 54-year-old will come to Toronto for a two-night stint at Roy Thomson Hall, where he'll be accompanied by Toronto Symphony Orchestra as he delivers unique symphonic arrangements of his classic hits and deep cuts from a towering back catalogue.
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Men I Trust
July 24-26 at History
They might not be a household name yet, but Montreal's Men I Trust is easily one of the biggest indie acts in Canada, boasting nearly 10 million monthly Spotify followers. The vibey, dream-pop band recently dropped a new album, titled 'Equus Caballus,' and will be in Toronto for three consecutive shows at History this July.
Find tickets here.
Haim
Sept. 6 at Scotiabank Arena
The sisters Haim are returning to Toronto this summer, bringing their old-fashioned (but distinctly forward-looking) brand of pop-rock to one of the city's biggest stages. The trio recently released their fourth album, 'I Quit,' which features the summer hit ' Relationships.'
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Wet Leg
Sept. 12 at History
Led by the charisma and dry humour of frontwoman Rhian Teasdale, English post-punk band Wet Leg exploded onto the scene with their self-titled debut in 2022, an album that landed co-sings from Dave Grohl and a couple of Grammys. Unsurprisingly, expectations are sky high for the band's sophomore album, 'Moisturizer,' which drops July 11. You can catch them at History — a venue with more than twice the capacity as the Phoenix Concert Theatre, where they played during their last visit to Toronto.
Find tickets here.
Alex G and Nilüfer Yanya
Sept. 14 & 15 at History
English indie rocker Nilüfer Yanya.
Molly Daniel
Alex G might be on a major label now, but he'll never be able to shed his reputation as the shaggy king of off-kilter indie rock. On the irresistible 'Afterlife' — his first single since 2022 (and his first released via RCA) — the inscrutable singer-songwriter from Philly swaps his guitar for a mandolin, leaning further into to folky Americana and Celtic-inflected sound that he first experimented with on his 2017 album, 'Rocket.' A new parent, he sounds both pensive and optimistic here, as he reflects on his youth and muses about his formative years and paths not trodden. Alex G's 10th album, 'Headlights,' arrives on July 18 and he'll play two nights at History in Toronto alongside English alt-rock artist Nilüfer Yanya this September.
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Ethel Cain
Sept. 15 & 16 at Queen Elizabeth Theatre
After exploding in popularity on the heels of her 2022 debut, 'Preacher's Daughter,' American gothic rock artist Ethel Cain defied her new-found fame earlier this year with the release of 'Perverts,' a dark, droning collection of ambient music. The release confounded her new and fairweather fans, while delighting those who had been with her since her early days. She'll play two sold-out shows at Queen Elizabeth Theatre at the end of this summer.
Find tickets here.
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