Sloan returns to play Blu Martini, Emerson Drive headlines Chill on the Hill, and B.Rich goes out for a rip at The Isabel.
Raffi
June 2, 2018, 1 pm – 5:30 pm
The Grand Theatre
The long-loved family entertainer turns 70 this year, but he’s not slowing down, releasing a new album and embarking on a North American tour in 2018. No doubt he’ll play classics like “Baby Beluga,” “Down By the Bay” and “Bananaphone” at The Grand, but let’s hope he digs into some deep tracks from the 30 albums he’s released since 1975. VIP meet-and-greet tickets available.
$34.76 – $73.88
kingstongrand.ca
Eccentric Vocal Ensemble
June 2, 2018, 7:30 pm
Cooke’s-Portsmouth United Church
This is definitely not your typical church choir. All 16 members of Eccentric Vocal Ensemble are experienced choral singers, and together they tackle a wide variety of music — from traditional African songs to jazz standards to Carly Simon. The ensemble says that this show, titled “Hidden Stories,” will “weave together stories you never knew with music you will be delighted to discover.”
$20
eccentricvocalensemble.com
Brother Elsey
June 2, 2018, 10 pm
The Merchant Tap House
This Detroit-based trio of brothers plays a type of driving Americana rock that should play well in the cavernous Merchant Tap House. They have a propulsive, heartfelt sound with the odd folk ballad thrown in that, at times, echoes Kings of Leon and Ryan Adams. Their debut EP, Matador, was released in February.
Price not available
merchanttaphouse.com
The Wolfe Island Records Garden Party
June 16, 2018, 1 pm
The Wolfe Island Grill
Expect a small music show with a good helping of old-time country music at this one. And with characters like Clem Chesterfield and Rusty Ford on the ticket, you can expect a few laughs too. Luther Wright and his famous blend of country and punk will also be there, as will (hopefully) other artists from Wolfe Island Records, which is a new-ish grassroots label and artist collective based on the island.
Price not available
musicfly.ca
B.Rich – Festival of Live Digital Art
June 19, 2018, 7:30 pm
The Isabel
At 13.5 million YouTube views and counting, B.Rich’s hilarious viral send-up “Out For a Rip” has now reached icon status. The Kingston rapper and his crew will hit The Isabel’s stage as the opening act for the inaugural Festival of Live Digital Art.
$15 – $20
folda.ca
Craig Cardiff
June 21, 2018, 8 pm
Musiikki Café
Canadian singer-songwriter Craig Cardiff may remind you of Nick Drake, but really his blend of, as he says, “folk with a dash of singalong and storytelling” is all his own. Since 1997, he’s released 16 albums, toured throughout North America and Europe, and picked up a couple of Juno and Canadian Folk Music Award nominations.
$20
musiikkicafe.com
Chill on the Hill Music Festival
June 22, 2018, 5 pm – 11 pm
Fort Henry
Decorated Canadian band Emerson Drive headlines this always popular outdoor country music show. Rounding out the lineup is former lead singer of Cold Creek Country, Brandon Scott, and British Columbia folk rockers Lion Bear Fox. The only thing that could rival their sets is the gorgeous backdrop of Lake Ontario and downtown Kingston.
$40 – $45
forthenry.com
Lido Pimienta – Skeleton Park Arts Festival
June 24, 2018, 4 pm
McBurney Park
Though there are a ton of stellar musicians scheduled for Skeleton Park Arts Festival this year (like Rheostatics and Donovan Woods) Colombian-Canadian artist Lido Pimienta is definitely a can’t-miss. She won the 2017 Polaris Prize for her album La Papessa, which, like much of her music, blends everything from indigenous and Afro-Colombian styles to synthpop and electronic.
Free
skeletonparkartsfest.ca
Emilie Steele
June 24, 2018, 8 pm
The Mansion
Keep your eye on Wolfe Island’s Emilie Steele. With catchy hooks, strong vocals and soaring melodies, the singer-songwriter likely won’t be dubbed an up-and-comer for long. Her influences are rooted in Canadian female folk, though you’ll definitely hear inklings of indie rock, alt and country.
Price not available
mansion.rocks
Sloan
June 29, 2018, 9 pm
Blu Martini
Money City Maniacs. The Good In Everyone. If It Feels Good Do It. If you’re a millennial, you know these rock radio hits well. Formed in 1991 in Halifax, Sloan went on to become one of the most popular bands in Canadian music history. And they’re still making good music. The club atmosphere of Blu Martini should suit their rock/power pop sound well.
$25
facebook.com
Sebastian Bach
June 29, 2018, 8 pm
The Ale House & Canteen
Bach was just 19 years old when he joined popular American heavy metal Skid Row as its frontman, but 30 years later he’s well into a successful solo career. The Canadian singer has three studio albums and two live ones to his name, all of them deeply rooted in the metal music he’s played since he was a young teenager.
$35
thealehousekingston.ca
Head to our events page for tons of other concerts this month.
