Aesthetic Magazine | Album Reviews, Concert Photography, Interviews, Contests

By: Myles Herod – Christian Mungiu’s Fjord opens with the promise of reinvention: Mihai Gheorghiu (Sebastian Stan) and his wife Lisbet (Renate Reinsve) trade their Romanian life for almost mythical Norwegian shores. However, any tranquility they seek is quickly confronted. Turns out their traditional Christian lifestyle, so ordinary in their former country, becomes a source of unease in a … Continue reading →

Photos by: Vlasta Titova – UK electronic music duo Jungle, who released their newest album, Sunshine, on August 14th, 2026 via AWAL/Caiola, which featured the singles “Carry On”, “The Wave”, “Someday, Somewhere”, and “Sunshine”, performed at Scotiabank Arena in Toronto last night (Sept. 12th) with Los Angeles-based psychedelic soul band Rio Kosta, who released their … Continue reading →

Photos by: Myles Herod – Naomi Watts, Sarah Paulson, Cody Fern, and Diane Wiest attended the “Closing Night” premiere at the 2026 Toronto International Film Festival last night (Sept. 12th). Naomi Watts, Sarah Paulson, and Odessa A’zion deliver powerhouse performances in Cody Fern’s sensational feature debut, where a hardened movie star reunites with the deliciously … Continue reading →

Photos by: Myles Herod – Mike Leigh, Kate O’Flynn, Marion Bailey, Paul Jesson, and Alice Bailey Johnson attended the “Tender Loving Care” premiere at the 2026 Toronto International Film Festival last night (Sept. 12th). Seven-time Academy Award nominee Mike Leigh returns with an uplifting story of family and how to deal with grief, featuring remarkably … Continue reading →

By: Myles Herod – Mike Leigh’s Tender Loving Care arrives with the authority of a filmmaker who has spent half a century studying ordinary people. At 83, he’s still capable of fusing tragedy and humour with scalpel‑like precision, crafting human stories that contemplate the fact that life trudges on, until it doesn’t. The film orbits … Continue reading →

Photos by: Myles Herod – Curry Barker and Inde Navarrette attended the “Obsession” special event at the 2026 Toronto International Film Festival last night (Sept. 11th). Following its explosive premiere at TIFF’s Midnight Madness, Curry Barker’s indie horror Obsession proved that original, high-voltage genre cinema is alive and thriving. Powered by a visceral breakout performance … Continue reading →

Photos by: Myles Herod – Rebel Wilson, and Randall Park attended the “Girl Group” premiere at the 2026 Toronto International Film Festival last night (Sept. 11th). Rebel Wilson writes, directs, and stars in this story of a pop star who, following a downward spiral, finds a new sense of purpose by assembling a bunch of … Continue reading →

Photos by: Simon Leung –  Rock artist Kim Gordon, who is best known as the bassist/guitarist/vocalist of acclaimed alt-rock band Sonic Youth, and who released her newest album, Play Me, on March 13th, 2026 via Matador, which featured the singles “Not Today”, “Dirty Tech”, and “Play Me”, performed at the Opera House in Toronto last … Continue reading →

Photos by: Myles Herod – Josh Hartnett, Charlie Heaton, Mackenzie Davis, and Ruby Stokes attended the “Below” premiere at the 2026 Toronto International Film Festival last night (Sept. 10th). Something monstrous lurks off the coast in this suspenseful, Newfoundland-set limited series, starring Josh Hartnett (Trap) and Mackenzie Davis (Station Eleven).

Photos by: David McDonald –  Industrial rock artist Danny Elfman, who released his newest album, Big Mess, on June 11, 2021 via ANTI-/Epitaph, performed at History in Toronto last night (Sept. 10th). 

Photos by: Daniel D’Souza – Hard rock band Breaking Benjamin, who released a compilation album titled Aurora on January 24, 2020 via Hollywood, which featured the singles “Far Away”, and “Dear Agony”, performed at RBC Amphitheatre in Toronto on Sept. 9th with hard rock band Chevelle, who released their newest album, Bright as Blasphemy, on … Continue reading →

Photos by: Taija Grey –  UK indie pop artist Arlo Parks, who released her newest album, Ambiguous Desire, on April 3rd, 2026 via Transgressive, which featured the singles “2Sided”, “Heaven”, “Get Go”, “Beams”, “Senses”, and “Floette”, performed at History in Toronto on September 4th with indie R&B artist Baird, who released his newest single “Dogpile” … Continue reading →

By: Curtis Sindrey – Heavy metal artist Rob Zombie, who released his newest album, The Great Satan, on February 27th, 2026 via Nuclear Blast, which featured the singles “Punks and Demons”, “Heathen Days”, and “(I’m a) Rock ‘N’ Roller”, performed at RBC Amphitheatre in Toronto last night (Sept. 1st) with heavy metal artist Marilyn Manson, who … Continue reading →

By: Curtis Sindrey – Fan Expo Toronto 2026 was an exhilarating celebration of pop culture, fandom, and unforgettable moments that left attendees buzzing with excitement. The event was packed with incredible panels, exclusive merchandise, and meet-and-greets that showcased the best of the entertainment world. One of the most anticipated highlights was the legendary Mark Hamill, whose presence … Continue reading →

By: Curtis Sindrey – Pop-rock band The Fray, who released their newest album, A Light That Waits, on March 13th, 2026, which featured the singles “My Heart’s a Crowded Room”, “Emerald”, “Songs I’d Rather Not Sing”, and “A Light That Waits”, performed at RBC Amphitheatre in Toronto last night (Aug. 26th) with emo/indie rock band Dashboard … Continue reading →

By: Curtis Sindrey – Country music artist Kacey Musgraves, who released her newest album, Middle of Nowhere, on May 1, 2026 via Lost Highway, which featured the singles “Dry Spell”, “Middle of Nowhere”, “Loneliest Girl”, and “Mexico Honey”, performed at Scotiabank Arena in Toronto last night (Aug. 24th) with country music group Midland, who released their … Continue reading →

By: Staff – Alt-Rock icons Queens of the Stone Age have announced the release of their new album, Perfecth, due Oct. 30 from Matador Records. Out today is latest single “Insignificant Other,” which can be streamed below. “It’s a song about distance,” says frontman Joshua Homme. “About how someone can be your entire world only to … Continue reading →

By: Staff – Warm weather is back! And with that comes our recommendations to pick the best gifts for everyone on your list. Whether it’s for birthdays, anniversaries, or the holiday season, we have something for everybody. Start scrolling now to find the best new books, video games, tech, and more to impress everyone on your … Continue reading →

Photos by: Vlasta Titova – UK alt-rock band Swervedriver, who released their newest album, Future Ruins, on January 25th, 2019 via Dangerbird, which featured the singles “Mary Winter”, “Drone Lover”, “The Lonely Crowd Fades in the Air”, and “Spiked Flower”, performed at the Phoenix Concert Theatre in Toronto last night (Aug. 21st) with alt-rock band … Continue reading →

Photos by: Brandon Newfield – Pop-rap artist Jack Harlow, who released his newest album, Monica, on March 13, 2026 via Atlantic, which featured the single “Trade Places”, and featured production by, among others, Jermaine Paul (Alicia Keys, Kanye West), and Rogét Chahayed (Drake, Doja Cat, Lil Wayne), performed at History in Toronto last night (Aug. 18th) … Continue reading →

Photos by: Stephan Ordonez – R&B artist Kehlani, who released her newest album, Kehlani, on April 24, 2026 via Atlantic, performed at RBC Amphitheatre in Toronto last night (Aug. 16th).

Photos by: Vlasta Titova – Canadian post-hardcore band Alexisonfire, who released their new album, Otherness, on June 24th, 2022 via Dine Alone, which featured the singles “Sweet Dreams of Otherness”, “Reverse the Curse”, and “Sans Soleil”, performed at RBC Amphitheatre in Toronto on Aug. 14th with metalcore band Underoath, who released their newest album, The … Continue reading →

Photos by: Morgan Hotston –  Canadian country singer-songwriter Cameron Whitcomb, who released his newest EP, Deep Water, on April 17th, 2026 via Atlantic, which featured the singles “You and Me”, and “Kingdom of Fear”, and followed up his 2025 EP, Options, performed at History in Toronto on August 14th with Vancouver-based soul-roots artist Ben Cottrill, who released … Continue reading →

Photos by: David McDonald –  Norwegian symphonic black metal band Dimmu Borgir, who released their newest album, Grand Serpent Rising, on May 22nd, 2026 via Nuclear Blast, which featured the singles “Ulvgjeld & Blodsodel”, and “Ascent”, performed at History in Toronto last night (Aug. 10th) with black metal band Hulder, who released their newest album, Verbolgen, … Continue reading →

Photos by: Brandon Newfield – Boots and Hearts 2026 wrapped up on August 9th with performances by country music group Rascal Flatts, who released their newest album, Life Is a Highway: Refueled Duets, on June 6, 2025 via Big Machine, which featured the single “I Dare You”, country music artist Tucker Wetmore, who released his newest … Continue reading →

Photos by: Brandon Newfield – Boots and Hearts 2026 continued last night (Aug. 8th) with performances by country/pop artist Jessie Murph, who released her newest album, Sex Hysteria, on July 18, 2025 via Columbia, country/rock singer-songwriter Sam Barber, who released his newest album, Broken View, on April 3, 2026 via Atlantic, country artist Waylon Wyatt, who … Continue reading →

Photos by: Myles Herod – Australian indie pop artist G-Flip, who released their newest album, Dream Ride, on September 5th, 2025 via AWAL, performed at the Mod Club in Toronto last night (Aug. 8th).

Photos by: David McDonald –  Electropop artist Ashnikko, who released her newest album, Smoochies, on October 17, 2025 via Parlophone/Warner, which featured the singles “Itty Bitty”, “Trinkets”, “Sticky Fingers”, “Smoochie Girl”, and “Wet Like”, performed at History in Toronto last night (May 19th) with indie pop artist Royal and The Serpent, who released her debut album, … Continue reading →