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

By: Ellen Bond and Greg Kolz –  Ottawa Bluesfest 2026 continued on July 17th at Lebreton Flats in Ottawa, ON., and featured performances by country-rock artist Sheryl Crow, who released her newest album, Evolution, on March 29, 2024 via Big Machine, which featured the singles “Alarm Clock”, “Evolution”, “Do It Again”, and “Digging in the … Continue reading →

Photos by: David Scala – JUNO Award-winning punk rock quartet Billy Talent, who released their sixth album, Crisis of Faith, on January 21st, 2022 via Spinefarm, which featured the singles “Forgiveness I”, “Forgiveness II”, “Reckless Paradise”, “I Beg to Differ (This Will Get Better)”, “End of Me”, and “The Wolf”, performed at RBC Amphitheatre in Toronto … Continue reading →

Photos by: Daniel D’Souza –  Ska-Punk band Goldfinger, who released their newest album, Nine Lives, on January 23, 2026 via Big Noise, which featured the singles “Freaking Out A Bit”, and “Chasing Amy”, performed at History in Toronto last night (July 18th) with Canadian ska-punk band The Planet Smashers, who released their newest album, On … Continue reading →

By: Staff – Queens of the Stone Age return with new single, “Easy Street”. Debuted live last year during their Catacombs tour, it’s the band’s first new song since 2023’s In Times New Roman. Featuring singer Nikki Lane, whose vocals arrive like gravel and honey with a Wanda Jackson grit. Her voice flips the sonic script … Continue reading →

By: Marc DesRosiers, Greg Kolz, and Landon Entwistle –  Ottawa Bluesfest 2026 continued last night (July 12th) at Lebreton Flats in Ottawa, ON., and featured performances by Denver-based folk-rock band The Lumineers, who released their newest album, Automatic, on February 14th, 2025 via Dualtone, which featured the singles “Same Old Song”, and “You’re All I … Continue reading →

By: Marc DesRosiers –  Ottawa Bluesfest 2026 continued last night (July 10th) at Lebreton Flats in Ottawa, ON., and featured performances by rap-metal band Limp Bizkit, who released their newest album, Still Sucks, on October 31, 2021 via Suretone, which featured the single “Dad Vibes”, alt-country singer-songwriter Steve Earle, who released a live album titled … Continue reading →

By: Staff – The Polaris Music Prize has revealed its 10 nominee album Short List.  The album Short List is where Polaris reveals the finalist records that will be considered for a given year’s Prize.  The 2026 Polaris Music Prize Album Short List is: Angine de Poitrine – Vol. II Aquakultre – 1783 – Performing  Begonia … Continue reading →

Photos by: Tyler Roberts – Canadian math rock duo Angine de Poitrine, who released their newest album, Vol. II, on April 3rd, 2026 via Spectacles Bonzaï, which was longlisted for the 2026 Polaris Music Prize, and the songs “Fabienk” and “Yor Zarad” were longlisted for the SOCAN Polaris Song Prize, performed at the Ice District Fan Park  in … Continue reading →

Photos by: Tyler Roberts – Hip-Hop artist ASAP Rocky, who released his newest album, Don’t Be Dumb, on January 16, 2026 via AWGE/ASAP/RCA, performed at Rogers Place in Edmonton last night (July 3rd).

Photos by: Brandon Newfield – Hard rock band Evanescence, who released their newest album, Sanctuary, on June 5th, 2026 via BMG/Columbia, which featured the singles “Afterlife”, and “Who Will You Follow”, performed at RBC Amphitheatre in Toronto last night (June 29th) with heavy metal band Spiritbox, who released their newest album, Tsunami Sea, on March 7th, … Continue reading →

Photos by: Katrina Lat –  Icelandic folk/electronic artist Ásgeir, who released his newest album, Julia, on February 13th, 2026 via One Little Independent, performed at the Great Hall in Toronto on June 26th.

By: Staff – Phoebe Bridgers has revealed plans for her much anticipated third album. Lost Weekend will be released on August 14th on Dead Oceans. Pre-Order Lost Weekend  Lost Weekend is the first Phoebe Bridgers album since her multi-GRAMMY nominated sophomore album, Punisher, was released at the peak of the Covid-19 pandemic. Much was made of Bridgers’ wise-for-her-years virtuosity when her lauded debut, Stranger in the … Continue reading →

Photos by: Caitie Corkal –  Indie rock band Young The Giant, who released their newest album, Victory Garden, on May 1st, 2026 via Jungle Youth/Fearless/Concord, which was produced by Brendan O’Brien (AC/DC, Pearl Jam, Rage Against the Machine), performed at History in Toronto last night (June 22nd) with indie rock band Cold War Kids, who released … Continue reading →

Photos by: Katrina Lat –  Japanese low-fi/trip-hop/R&B artist Joji, who released his newest album, Piss in the Wind, on February 6th, 2026 via Palace Creek/Virgin, which featured the singles “Pixelated Kisses”, “If It Only Gets Better”, “Past Won’t Leave My Bed”, “Love You Less”, and “Last of a Dying Breed”, performed at Scotiabank Arena in Toronto … Continue reading →

By: Curtis Sindrey – Cirque du Soleil’s “LUZIA” in Toronto is a mesmerizing spectacle that masterfully combines artistry, acrobatics, and storytelling to create an unforgettable experience. From the moment you step into the big top, you’re transported to a vibrant, dreamlike world inspired by Mexican culture and mythology. The show’s dazzling visuals and captivating music set … Continue reading →

Photos by: Darryll Magboo –  Indie Rock artist Kurt Vile, who released his newest album, Philadelphia’s Been Good to Me, on May 29, 2026 via Verve Forecast, which featured the singles “Chance to Bleed”, and “Zoom 97”, performed at History in Toronto last night (June 16th) with Toronto-based alt-country band The Sadies, who released their newest … Continue reading →

By: Staff – The Decemberists have announced Live Home Library Vol. 2, the second installment in the band’s live series, to be released September 25, 2026 via the band’s own label, Youth and Beauty Brigade. Recorded over three nights at Brooklyn Steel in Brooklyn, NY on April 17, 18, and 19, 2017, Live Home Library Vol. 2 captures … Continue reading →

By: Staff – ‘A concert is an event where songs come back to life. That’s why this album is called “Live!”‘ explains Jarvis Cocker of this unique record in the Pulp canon. “It’s both a statement of fact (it’s a recording of a live band) & a challenge (come on! Everyone come alive!).” It’s also … Continue reading →

By: Staff – Johnny Marr returns with “Spin,” the first offering from his forthcoming album, and fifth solo full-length studio record, The Age Of Everything. “Spin” is out today, with The Age Of Everything arriving October 2nd via BMG. Watch the video for “Spin” below. Written in London, developed live on the road across the East Coast of North America and … Continue reading →

By: Curtis Sindrey – Grammy-winning UK folk rock band Mumford And Sons, who released their newest album, Prizefighter, on February 20th, 2026 via Island/Gentlemen of the Road, which featured the singles “Rubber Band Man”, “Prizefighter”, “The Banjo Song”, and “Here”, performed at Rogers Stadium in Toronto last night (June 13th) with folk band Caamp, who released … Continue reading →

By: Curtis Sindrey – Pearle Harbour Walks Into a Bar at Luminato Festival 2026 held at the Fairmont Royal York in Toronto is a truly captivating experience that blends wit, storytelling, and innovative performance art. From the moment the award-winning drag performance artist stepped into the what’s best described as a cabaret bar meets quirky hunting … Continue reading →

By: Staff – Vocalist, songwriter and musician Willow Avalon continues a landmark year with her new single, “Work To Do”—listen below. “I wrote ‘Work To Do’ about a man who never said sorry, and had a wholeeee lot of work to do on himself,” Avalon shares. Over the weekend, Avalon teased the track during her CMA Fest performance at Nashville’s Nissan Stadium to a … Continue reading →

Photos by: Alden Bonecutter –  Jimmy Eat World kicked off their Bleed American 25th Anniversary World Tour last night (June 9th) with a sold-out performance at the iconic Red Rocks Amphitheater in Morrison, Colorado.

By: Staff – Interpol today announce their new album This Mirror Weighs a Ton, their first in four years and debut for Partisan Records, arriving August 28. Alongside the announcement, the band share the two opening tracks, the title track and “See Out Loud.” Listen below. Produced by Andrew Wyatt (ROSALÍA, Charli xcx) and mixed by David Fridmann (Sleater-Kinney, MGMT), This Mirror … Continue reading →

Photos by: David McDonald –  Ukrainian metalcore Jinjer, who released their newest album, Duél, on February 7th 2025 via Napalm, which followed up their 2021 album, Wallflowers, performed at the Danforth Music Hall in Toronto last night (June 7th) with progressive metal band Entheos, who released their newest EP, An End to Everything, on October 25th, 2024, … Continue reading →

Photos by: Darryll Magboo –  Acclaimed singer-songwriter Feist, who released her newest album, Multitudes, on April 14th, 2023 via Fiction Records/Universal Music Canada, performed at Nathan Phillips Square in Toronto on June 6th as part of Join Together 2026, a free festival in support of the UHN Foundation and the Michael Garron Hospital Foundation, along … Continue reading →

By: Curtis Sindrey – Australian punk rock band Amyl and the Sniffers, who released their newest album, Cartoon Darkness, on October 25th, 2024 via B2B/Virgin, which featured the singles “U Should Not Be Doing That”, “Chewing Gum”, “Big Dreams”, and “Jerkin’”, performed at RBC Amphitheatre in Toronto last night (June 4th) with punk rock band L7, … Continue reading →

By: Staff – Following a sold-out acoustic show at New York City’s Madison Square Garden last night, Phoebe Bridgers has revealed details of The Lost Tourfor 2026. Other than the series of surprise pop-up acoustic shows that have wrapped around the country over the last few weeks – beginning in Roswell, New Mexico on May 8th, continuing on … Continue reading →

Photos by: Krysia Caldwell – R&B artist Summer Walker, who released her newest album, Finally Over It, on November 14, 2025 via LVRN/Interscope, performed at Scotiabank Arena in Toronto on May 26th. 

By: Curtis Sindrey – Hip-Hop artist Big Boi, who released a collaborate album with Sleepy Brown titled Big Sleepover on December 10th, 2021 via Purple Ribbon, and who is best known as one-half of acclaimed hip-hop duo OutKast, performed at RBC Amphitheatre in Toronto last night (May 26th) with Canadian DJ A-Trak, who released his newest … Continue reading →

Photos by: Krysia Caldwell – R&B/Soul singer-songwriter Khalid, who released his newest album, After the Sun Goes Down, on October 10th, 2025 via RCA, which featured the singles “In Plain Sight”, “Out of Body”, “Nah”, performed at RBC Amphitheatre in Toronto last night (May 24th) with San Francisco-based singer-songwriter Lauv, who released his newest album, … Continue reading →

By: Curtis Sindrey – Australian indie rock singer-songwriter Courtney Barnett, who released her newest album, Creature of Habit, on March 27th, 2026 via Mom + Pop, which featured the singles “Stay in Your Lane”, “Site Unseen”, “Mantis” / “Sugar Plum”, and “One Thing at a Time”, performed at History in Toronto last night (May 22nd) with … Continue reading →

Photos by: Aaron Quintanilla – Hip-hop artist Juvenile, who released his newest album, Boiling Point, on March 27th, 2026 via UTP/DNA Music/Hitmaker Distro, performed at the Aztec Theatre in San Antonio, Texas last night (May 20th).

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 →