The two biggest concerts in Kingston this July will likely be Busty and the Bass (July 2, Ontario Street) and Rascal Flatts (July 8, Fort Henry), but smaller shows from the likes of Goldwing, the Trinity College Choir, and Craig Cardiff promise to be good ones as well. Remember, too, that the Canadian Guitar Festival returns to Loughborough Lake at the end of the month.
- Busty and the Bass
Sunday, July 2, 7 pm
Ontario Street
This nine-piece, electro-funk collective has become one of the most vibrant new bands in Canada. After being named the top university band in the country in 2014, they’ve gone on to tour regularly in Canada and the U.S. Now they’re set to get you grooving up and down Ontario Street at this special Canada Day weekend outdoor concert. Local psychedelic soul rockers Lost Cousins will open the show.
Admission: Free
downtownkingston.ca
- Goldwing
Friday, July 7, 9 pm
The Mansion
Although they’ve only been around for a few years, this alternative folk rock band from Kingston has made a big mark. Not only have they shared stages with 54-40, Treble Charger and The Mahones in that time, but they were named finalists in Canada’s Walk of Fame Emerging Artist Mentorship Program, took home first place in two song-writing contests, and released their eleven-track debut album. Their progressive folk sound should play well on The Mansion’s small but mighty “Living Room” stage at this benefit concert for the Gollogly family.
Admission: Suggested $10 donation
mansion.rocks
- Chill on the Hill MusicFest
Saturday, July 8, 6:15 pm
Fort Henry
Country music legends Rascal Flatts headline this annual music fest overlooking Lake Ontario. They have 10 albums, 16 number one hits and over 23 million records sold under their belts, so they should know how to bring a house down (or hill). They’ll be joined by Canadian country star Aaron Pritchett and other special guests to be announced closer to the date. Barbecue-style food vendors will be there, as will two large beer tents offering pints, ciders, and wines. Gates open at 5 pm.
Admission: $84.99
forthenry.com
- Chasing Trees
Thursday, July 20, 8 pm – 11 pm
Musiikki Café
Chasing Trees is only one man, Kingstonian Yan-Nick Michaud, but his multi-task performances lend a full-band sound to his indie and folk-rock leanings. He plays fresh takes on cover songs and original tunes he wrote himself. Many of them, as he says, are like “gooey inner minglings of a chocolate covered continuous run-on sentence.” The tiny and intimate Musiikki Café should be the perfect venue for those sentences to run on well into the night.
Admission: Not specified
musiikkicafe.com
- Fort Henry Annual Tattoo
Saturday, July 22, 7:30 pm
Fort Henry
The sounds of fifes, brass, pipes and drums will fill Fort Henry’s parade square once again at this annual showcase of bands from Canada and around the world. The tattoo is always one of the Fort’s most popular fests of the year, one big reason being the promise of a massed band grand finale capped off with a huge fireworks display.
Admission: Adult – $25. Seniors (65+) – $20. Kids under 6 – free.
forthenry.com
- Lost Cousins
Thursday, July 27, 9 pm
The Mansion
Toronto four-piece Lost Cousins have put their own psychedelic-soul spin on indie rock, and it’s definitely working. Since playing their first shows in the living of their Kingston student house, they’ve gone on to reach the top 10 in the CBC’s Searchlight competition, release an EP and tour Canada and the U.S. If the release of their latest single “Quarters” is any indication, this show should have plenty of those spaced-out, groovy jams we love from them.
Admission: Not yet set
mansion.rocks
- Trinity College Choir
Thursday, July 27, 7:30pm- 10pm
St. George’s Cathedral
Voted the fifth best choir in the world by Gramophone magazine, this UK troupe has existed since the 14th century and is now made up of 30 choral scholars and two organ scholars. All of them are ordinarily undergraduates at Cambridge University’s Trinity College. Their sublime, soaring vocals should find a good home under St. George’s high, domed ceilings.
Admission: $25
stgeorgescathedral.ca
- The Bicycle Opera Project Presents: Sweat
Friday, July 28, 7:30 pm
Isabel Bader Centre for the Performing Arts
The Bicycle Opera Project is a group of young professional artists who bring high-quality, accessible opera to communities across Ontario. And they travel exclusively by bicycle! Sweat is their ‘a capella’ opera for 10 singers about women working in the global garment industry. It promises to take you inside the sweatshop world and make you think about the ethical conundrums of the garment trade.
Admission: $16 – $39
theisabel.ca
- Canadian Guitar Festival
Friday, July 28 – Sunday, July 30
Loughborough Lake Holiday Park
Every year some of the best fingerstyle guitar players in the world gather just north of Kingston near the banks of Loughborough Lake. Throughout three days they play concerts inside the 10,000-square-foot open-air hall, while at other times there are open mics, guitar workshops, a guitar competition and this year even a film premiere. Not sure which day to attend? Bring a tent and stay all weekend.
Admission: Day pass – $17.50 – $35. Full weekend pass – $37 – $75. Full weekend pass with camping – $62.50 – $125
canadianguitarfestival.com
- Craig Cardiff
Saturday, July 29, 9 pm
Musiikki Café
Canadian singer-songwriter Craig Cardiff is in his second decade of delivering what he calls “folk with a dash of sing-along and storytelling” to audiences across North America and Europe. Some have compared him to Nick Drake, but really his talent is unique to him. His live shows are always intimate, known for feeling less like concerts and more like get-togethers between friends. Chances are you’ll make a few new pals at this warm and welcoming gem of a small venue on Brock Street.
Admission: $15 in advance, $20 at the door
musiikkicafe.com
These five weekly concert series also continue this month:
Music in the Park
Tuesdays, Thursdays, Saturdays, 12:30 pm – 1:30 pm
Confederation Park
downtownkingston.ca
Country Music in the Park
Thursdays, 7 pm – 8 pm
Confederation Park
downtownkingston.ca
Big Band Friday
Fridays, 7 pm – 8 pm
Courtyard in Market Square
downtownkingston.ca
Sounds at St. Andrew’s
Saturdays, 4 pm – 5 pm
St. Andrew’s Church Lawn
downtownkingston.ca
St. George’s Cathedral Summer Concerts
Thursdays
St. George’s Cathedral
stgeorgescathedral.ca
