Year in Review: The Best Concerts of 2016

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Amrit Sandhu
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Artist: Brand New
Venue: Sound Academy
City: Toronto
Date: June 9-10

Brand New were in town for two sold out shows at the newly renovated Sound Academy in Toronto and since the announcement, Brand New are supposedly breaking up in 2018, which made these two nights be everything and more. Not only the fans into it but you could tell the band were just as into it knowing what it meant to every single fan in the audience. It was one of the best shows I’ve been to.

The highlights of this show was frontman Jesse Lacey coming out during one of the opening acts and singing along to his favourite song. In addition, when they played “Sic Transit Gloria”, there wasn’t a person singing along which ended up drowning out Lacey’s voice. That’s when you know it is memorable.

Here’s hoping they do come back to do another Toronto date before their demise.

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Artist: Weezer, Panic At The Disco
Venue: Molson Amphitheatre
City: Toronto
Date: July 6

Weezer and Panic At The Disco came to do a double header at the Molson Ampitheatre and the highlight goes to Weezer and having everyone sing to “Hash Pipe” and “Undone (The Sweater Song)”, which brought back the nostalgia of when they played Riot Fest.

The highlight of this show was just everything and how the fans reacted to both bands with just as much love and dedication as I have ever seen. Definitely one for the books.

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Artist: Florence And The Machine
Venue: Molson Amphitheatre
City: Toronto
Date: June 10

If you have ever seen Florence and the Machine live you know that Florence commands a larger than life presence on stage and it is because of her voice. No matter the size of the venue or where she is playing, Florence Welsh’s voice fills up the whole area.

With songs like “Ship to Wreck”, “Sweet Nothing”, and “Shake it Out”, the entire set was magical to say the least. If I have to say, this is the one artist I would pay to see every time just due to the presence of this band.

Highlights include my favourite song “Dog Days Are Over” being played live and Welsh involving the crowd anyway she can, it’s absolutely amazing.

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Artist: Deftones
Venue: International Centre
City: Toronto
Date: August 13

Deftones are back. Since the release of their latest album, Gore, this band hasn’t come north of the boarder and it was long overdue.

Even though they opted to play out in Mississauga, they did not disappoint. They had two encores and they were loud as hell. What more could you ask for? Since the loss of bassist Chi Cheng, Deftones have kept going and it was something magical to see them live. I hope they do come back, with the loss of Riot Fest and other venues across the city, this city needs rock more than ever.

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Artist: The Tragically Hip
Venue: Air Canada Centre
City: Toronto
Date: August 10, 12, and 14

One name: Gord Downie. After the shocking development that Downie had terminal cancer, it was the Tragically Hip’s final shows across this country that people lined up for and watched.

The Tragically Hip put on one stellar performance after another and that’s what they will remain in Canadian history.

Nothing bad could be said about those nights and for the people that got to attend any of these shows, you knew how magical these nights were. As their last show was broadcasted live, people knew how special this band is. Forever a Canadian icon, the Tragically Hip and this concert series.