Canadian Music Week is finally upon us, and we’ve got some crazy exciting things planned!
For one, we are OPEN UNTIL 4AM on Friday, May 11 and Saturday, May 12, so come party into the wee hours of the morning with us. We’re also giving away a pair of ALL-ACCESS CMW WRISTBANDS to 2 lucky people, so check out our instagram page to see the rules for entry. The winner(s) will be announced tomorrow, May 4!
The Drake has hosted countless acts during CMW who have since BLOWN UP, (such as Leon Bridges, Lapsley and BROODS, to name a few). You won’t want to miss the amazing talents coming through The Drake Hotel properties for CMW this year. We listed a few of our faves below —->
1. Lolo Zouaï
When: Monday, May 7th @ 8PM
Where: The Drake Underground (1150 Queen St. W.)
The Paris-born, San Francisco-raised singer-songwriter released her breakout single, High Highs to Low Lows, at the end of 2017, which received millions of plays across streaming platforms, and was selected as the number one track of Spotify’s Fresh Finds Best of 2017 playlist.
She followed up the success of ‘High Highs to Low Lows’ with her latest single, Blue, released Jan. 17th, 2018. In its first week, “Blue” has over 200,000 streams across all streaming platforms. Since then, she landed a spot as a featured guest on H.E.R’s latest album H.E.R Vol. 2 on the song Still Down. She is 100% independent, and is working on her first EP, out later this year.
Catch her at The Drake Underground on Monday, May 7 @ 8PM! Get your tix here.
2. Hailey Blais
When: Wednesday, May 9th @ 5:45
Where: The Parkette outside Drake One Fifty (150 York St.)
Hailing from Vancouver, BC, Haley Blais began her musical career as a solo folk artist. After her debut EP Late Bloomer (2016) was released independently online by demand of her YouTube subscribers, she upgraded to a five-piece band. Let Yourself Go, a 5 track EP released in April, features a more mature sound of folk rock, and alternative pop. The EP lyrically stays true to Haley’s comedic side, while showcasing the evolution of her musicality. While Late Bloomer focused on the grief of a former self, Let Yourself Go is a commentary on where Blais is going after she’s bloomed.
Catch her set at 5:45PM at the Parkette outside of Drake One Fifty! (PS- there will be a drink tent and more FREE music programming in the Parkette May 9-12!)
3. ABAKOS
When: Wednesday, May 9 @ 6:30
Where: The Drake Underground (1150 Queen St. W.)
Together, Congolese-Canadian artists Pierre Kwenders and Ngabonziza Kiroko make ABAKOS, folding layered vocals in with lush synths, rousing beats, and low-key rock influences. Kiroko and Kwenders have nearly identical voices that intertwine and double each other on the record, and the effect is unique. The influence of Congolese rumba creeps in as well, in the progression and unconventional formatting of some of the songs.
Outside of ABAKOS, Kiroko is best known as the frontman of the acclaimed electronic indie-folk band Dear Denizen, while Kwenders is a boundary-pushing Afro-electric singer and DJ. Both artists approached ABAKOS with the intention of expanding their range and exploring new ideas. For Kwenders, this meant singing in one language instead of four.
Catch ABAKOS in the Moonshine x Lighter Than Air Showcase for Canadian Music Week, coming through the Drake Underground on Wednesday, May 9th! Doors open at 6:30. Get your tickets here.
4. TiKA
When: Thursday, May 10th
Where: Drake Underground (1150 Queen St. W.)
TiKA is an artist, DJ, creator, cultural producer, TV/Online personality, activist, and advocate for the empowerment of female artists and creators. TiKA makes an impression on everyone she encounters and her joy is infectious.
With features in Complex, Noisey, MILK, Afropunk, Saint Heron, The Fader, CBC, The Source, among others, TiKA is receiving critical acclaim for her voice, her energy, her love. Her music. She has opened for major R&B heavyweights like John Legend + NAO and is being coined as an incredible performance artist + visual hypnotist. In late 2015, TiKA spoke openly about her struggles with trauma & depression and created a body of work to encourage others going through the same. The “Carry On” EP was released in late 2016. “Carry On” serves as a spiritual soundscape for anyone going through a healing process. The unexpected offering garnered TiKA an amass of critical accolades from all over the world.
TiKA will be headlining our May 10th showcase at The Drake Underground! Grab your tix here.
5. Amber Mark
When: Saturday, May 12 @ 8PM
Where: The Drake Underground (1150 Queen St. W.)
After a childhood of globetrotting between continents she tragically lost her mother to illness in 2013. Amber turned to art as a method of coping and poured her grief into the music. When she uploaded her first track ‘S p a c e’ to Soundcloud in 2016, the song was picked up by Zane Lowe, landing on the iTunes homepage alongside Rihanna and Justin Bieber, pushing a shocked and unsigned Amber Mark up to 35 in Spotify’s ‘Global Viral Chart’.
Mark’s wildly unique pop/r&b sound is grabbing the attention of music lovers around the globe, as she incorporates Tropical, South Asian, Middle Eastern and North American musical influences to create masterpieces.
We are so excited to have her in The Drake Underground on Saturday, May 12 with Demo Taped!
6. Lovers Touch
When: Friday, May 11 @ 6PM
Where: The Drake Underground (1150 Queen St. W.)
Lovers Touch has got the moves and the grooves to have you dancing out of your denim. This four-piece Toronto band will wrap you in a blanket of ecstasy so sweaty you’ll have no choice but to shake like a soggy dog. Inspired by dad music, they rock your favourite styles into jams you’ve never heard before. Bring all your sad and lonely friends; everybody needs Lovers Touch.
With the release of their slinky, polyester-draped “This Is an Arrangement” single and video, the dynamic quintet boldly unveils its self-described “dad rock.” That’s Lovers Touch shorthand for their thrilling synthesis of ultra-groovy retro and new-school rock. And they’re poised to deliver it to marquee concert stages and playlists nationwide.
They’ll be at The Drake Underground on Friday, May 11! Doors at 6PM– Get your tix here.