Indie artists and drive-thru concerts: Some shows to enjoy this fall

Since this story was published on July 11, 2021, new details have been released regarding Canadian tour stops by Céline Dion, Harry Styles, Gordon Lightfoot and others. The earlier version said the Lightfoot dates in Western Canada would go ahead in November. Those concerts have now been rescheduled. 

An updated version of this article now includes details regarding Canadian tour stops by Eric Church, All Time Low and Feist, among others.

With plans for arena concerts, outdoor festivals and drive-thru shows, music lovers are slowly flocking back to hear their favourite artists perform in a live setting after a long, dry spell due to COVID-19 lockdowns.

As vaccination rates go up across the country and COVID-19 case counts go down, some headliners are making the switch to live shows — while others remain cautious. 

Organizers have been creative, staging shows that reflect an easing of pandemic-related restrictions while still respecting individual provincial health protocols in place across the country.

Ready to get back out there? CBC News highlights a range of live music events happening this fall.

Headliners set for fall

Latin pop kings Enrique Iglesias and Ricky Martin are co-headlining a North American tour,  with stops scheduled in Toronto (Oct. 7-8) and Montreal (Oct. 9). According to Live Nation, the Oct. 7 date will be the first concert at Toronto's Scotiabank Arena in 580 days.

Pop punk band All Time Low will perform in Toronto (Oct. 22), Winnipeg (Oct. 31), Edmonton (Nov. 2), Calgary (Nov. 3) and Vancouver (Nov. 5).

Outside of the pop realm, prog-rock legends Genesis will be reuniting this November for their first tour in 14 years. The group will make stops in Montreal (Nov. 22-23) and Toronto (Nov. 25-26). The last time the group performed in Canada was in September 2007.

Fans of American country singer Eric Church can catch him at Calgary's Scotiabank Saddledome (Oct. 22), Saskatoon's Sasktel Centre (Oct. 23) and Vancouver's Rogers Arena (Oct. 29).

On Oct. 10, Niagara-born DJ deadmau5 will perform at Toronto's CityView. The show is not a drive-in concert; the performance was originally set to be hosted at Rebel, but moved across the street to its current venue.

Lightfoot, Dion, Styles, others cancel dates

National treasure Gordon Lightfoot was scheduled to play Canadian shows at multiple cities in Manitoba, Alberta, Saskatchewan and British Columbia in November. Those performances have now been postponed to 2022 due to COVID-19 infection rates, with the exception of a show in Red Deer, Alta., which has been cancelled outright.

Toronto fans can still catch Lightfoot at Massey Hall for three nights (Nov. 25-27). Lightfoot was originally scheduled for October stops in Montreal and Ottawa, but those shows have been postponed.

Two other widely anticipated performers, Céline Dion and Harry Styles, have cancelled Canadian dates previously scheduled for summer and fall.

Québecois chanteuse and global superstar Dion was set to perform in Winnipeg, Saskatoon, Edmonton and Vancouver between Aug. 16-29, but those dates were rescheduled for 2022.

"I know how frustrating it is for my fans, with all the postponements that have taken place these past 18 months," Dion said in a news release.

"My team and I are still concerned about everyone's safety this summer even though the situation has dramatically improved.

"We all feel 100 per cent comfortable that things will be very safe next spring and I want my fans to feel the same way, without any worries. I hope everyone understands."

Similarly, Styles, who was scheduled to stop in Vancouver, Montreal and Toronto in the early fall, announced on July 14 that his Canadian shows are cancelled for the time being.

Soccer Mommy, Lucy Dacus and Arlo Parks have each postponed shows that were scheduled to take place in Montreal and Toronto earlier this fall. Parks is still set to perform at Vancouver's Biltmore Cabaret on Oct. 9.

Intimate indie shows

For those who prefer their music independently labelled and their shows intimately staged, a range of indie artists and small bands are also in Canadian centres.

German electronic duo Milky Chance is scheduled for performances in Vancouver (Nov. 22), Calgary (Nov. 23), Winnipeg (Nov. 25), Toronto (Dec. 1) and Montreal (Dec. 2).

Canadian musician Bahamas — real name Afie Jurvanen — is embarking on an extensive cross-country tour in promotion of his new album, Sad Hunk. 

Following summer performances in the Atlantic provinces, the Barrie, Ont.,-raised, Halifax-based artist will travels to the West Coast for shows taking place Nov. 17-21. Then he heads into the Prairies (Nov. 23-27) and Ontario and Quebec (Dec. 1-10). His tour continues into 2022 with a number of shows scheduled back on the East Coast.

Another Canadian act, folk group The Weather Station, will perform for audiences in Vancouver, Victoria, Calgary, Edmonton, Saskatoon, Regina, Winnipeg, Montreal and Ottawa in November, before landing in Toronto in early December. The band, fronted by Tamara Lindeman, released their new album Ignorance last February.

Canadian singer-songwriter Feist will hold residencies at two Canadian venues this fall. She will perform at Ottawa's National Arts Centre from Oct. 13 to 17, and at Toronto's Meridian Hall from Oct. 20 to 30.

Hyperpop band 100 gecs will play shows at Montreal's Corona Theatre (Oct. 26) and Toronto's Danforth Music Hall (Oct. 27).

And, in October and November, English musician Passenger will perform at Montreal's MTelus (Oct. 30), Toronto's History (Nov. 1), Winnipeg's Burton Cummins Theatre (Nov. 5), Edmonton's Winspear Centre (Nov. 7) and Vancouver's Vogue Theatre (Nov. 9).