That Night in Toronto

1 week ago | michaelbarclay.substack.com | Michael Barclay

Rare is the tribute show that actually works, top to bottom. Rare is the concert that still has be buzzing 48 hours or more later. Rare is the evening where I see a combination of artists I’ve admired at every single stage of my adult life on the same stage—mixed in with younger performers who are totally new to me and instantly won me over.

2 weeks ago | michaelbarclay.substack.com | Michael Barclay

I’ve spent the last couple of weeks preparing to cast a ballot on the “best” Canadian music of the last 12 months, for the Polaris prize, which of course I’ve been overthinking. (I wrote about some of my favourite Quebec ones last week.) I was also asked by a major publication to send them my list of my top 20 Canadian records of all time, which I did not overthink. As much as I enjoy all this, it’s inherently ridiculous and indefensible. Especially while… (gestures to everything, and now India!).

2 weeks ago | michaelbarclay.substack.com | Michael Barclay

Never-Ending Present readers: This Friday, May 9 at the Garrison, there will be an all-star tribute to the Tragically Hip, presented by Elliot Lefko. Look at this insane lineup of heavy-hitters and newcomers:Lefko did this last year with the music of the Replacements, as a tribute to his old friend Dave Bookman on the fifth anniversary of the radio broadcaster’s death. Bookman was also, of course, a huge Tragically Hip fan—and a fan of the band’s opening acts.

3 weeks ago | michaelbarclay.substack.com | Michael Barclay

Congrats on surviving the election, Canada. In the interest of national harmony, here are four new francophone records that should not be ignored by francophobic listeners from coast to coast to coast. This post was prompted not just by a lot of listening during Polaris Prize ballot season, but because the mighty Corridor is finally playing Toronto this weekend—Sunday, May 4 at Longboat Hall—after putting out one of the best records of 2024 and touring mostly in Europe since then.

3 weeks ago | michaelbarclay.substack.com | Michael Barclay

While it’s true this newsletter is pitched to people over 40, it’s odd that this month I somehow managed to only see one show with performers under 60.