Emo vs Horror [Big Room-Upstairs]
American Aquarium / Lance Roark [Big Room-Upstairs]
For nearly two decades, American Aquarium have pushed toward that rare form of rock-and-roll that’s revelatory in every sense. “For us the sweet spot is when you’ve got a rock band that makes you scream along to every word, and it’s not until you’re coming down at three a.m. that you realize those words are saying something real about your life,” says frontman BJ Barham. “That’s what made us fall in love with music in the first place, and that’s the goal in everything we do.” On their new album The Fear of Standing Still, the North Carolina-bred band embody that dynamic with more intensity than ever before, endlessly matching their gritty breed of country-rock with Barham’s bravest and most incisive songwriting to date. As he reflects on matters both personal and sociocultural—e.g., the complexity of Southern identity, the intersection of generational trauma and the dismantling of reproductive rights—American Aquarium instill every moment of The Fear of Standing Still with equal parts unbridled spirit and illuminating empathy. Recorded live at the legendary Sunset Sound in Los Angeles, The Fear of Standing Still marks American Aquarium’s second outing with producer Shooter Jennings—a three-time Grammy winner who also helmed production on 2020’s critically lauded Lamentations, as well as albums from the likes of Brandi Carlile and Tanya Tucker. In a departure from the stripped-down subtlety of 2022’s Chicamacomico (a largely acoustic rumination on grief), the band’s tenth studio LP piles on plenty of explosive riffs and hard-charging rhythms, bringing a visceral energy to the most nuanced and poetic of lyrics. “In our live show the band’s like a freight train that never lets up, and for this record I really wanted to showcase how big and anthemic we can be,” notes Barham, whose bandmates include guitarist Shane Boeker, pedal-steel guitarist Neil Jones, keyboardist Rhett Huffman, drummer Ryan Van Fleet, and bassist Alden Hedges.
Wilshire / Abigail & The Starlings [Big Room-Upstairs]
Pride Kink Night [Big Room-Upstairs]
Purple Umbrella Joint presents [Big Room-Upstairs]
Mint Cream Holiday Market [Big Room-Upstairs]
8ball & MJG w/ Austin Cruise / PreauXX / Supa Glock Bros [Big Room-Upstairs]
Un Plato Más [Big Room-Upstairs]
Rainbow Rumble [Big Room-Upstairs]
This monthly drag and performer competition is hosted by Moth Moth Moth. Each show will have its own theme, and one of our Season 4 winners will return to co-host for the night. Meanwhile, competitors are lip-syncing for the chance to compete at the GRAND Rainbow Rumble in December for a cash prize, bragging rights, accessories, and MORE! — More details on themes to come! ——18+ audience——Rainbow Rumble is co-produced by Legend of Shelda & Moth Moth Moth
The Human Rights / Kween Jasira [Big Room-Upstairs]
Since we came together in 2007 around one of the Toronto reggae scene’s true lions, Friendlyness(Big Sugar, Culture Shock, Truth And Rights), The Human Rights have become one of the most beloved and respected Canadian independent reggae bands. In 2014, our longtime bredren Tréson joined the band to give us a uniquely powerful two-man vocal front line that delivers roots reggae, soul, R&B and dancehall vibes – backed by the propulsive rhythm section of Tyler Wagler (bass) and Eric Woolston (drums), Canadian reggae legend Dave Jackson on keys, two blazing guitarists and the Declaration of Human Rights horn section. By the end of this year, we’ll have played over 200 club and festival shows across Canada, and earlier this year we toured the United States for the first time to a fantastic response. We’ve released three full-length albums, with a fourth on the way in late 2024. On their most recent album Reggae Strong, The Human Rights more than live up to its title following an extended break since releasing their 2016 self-titled album and the 2018 single “I Need You.” Recorded with producer and former band member Patric McGroarty, and mixed and mastered by renowned Canadian reggae artist Dubmatix, Reggae Strong finds The Human Rights coming as close as they have yet to achieving a truly Canadian Reggae sound, with a little assistance from Toronto’s Ras Yunchie, Caddy Cad, Isax, and Carol Brown. That sound is on full display with the album’s first single “Peace Gun,” a song whose deep groove and powerful lyrics convey a timely message about the current state of the world. That theme is carried on through the title track, which magnificently shows the contrast between Friendly and Tré’s voices. However, the latter gets to shine on his own with the catchy and danceable “Tell Me That You Love Me,” while other tracks such as the cover version of Sly & Robbie’s “Red Hot” (itself being a cover version of Karl “Cannonball” Bryan’s “Red Ash”) pay tribute to Toronto Reggae history. In keeping with that theme, The Human Rights have also dedicated Reggae Strong to their keyboardist Bernie Pitters, whose face graces the back of the record, and also the inside as part of the mural on Reggae Lane in Toronto’s Eglinton West neighbourhood. As Friendlyness explains, “Bernie is a godfather of the Canadian Reggae scene. He came to Canada in the ‘70s and studied organ with Jackie Mittoo. He toured with Toots and the Maytals for 10 years and thought of Toots as a father figure. He also played with countless Jamaican artists when they came to Toronto, including Gregory Isaacs, Johnny Osbourne, and John Holt. Along with Jay Douglas, Leroy Sibbles, Glenn Washington, Carol Brown, JoJo Bennet and others, Bernie really made Toronto an important part of the international Reggae community.” It’s fair to say The Human Rights can count themselves among that company now too, having performed at major Toronto venues including Roy Thomson Hall, the Sound Academy and Harbourfront Centre, as well as major events across Canada such as the Calgary Reggae Festival. Further, their songs have become staples on Reggae radio shows everywhere, and on CBC Radio programs like Big City, Small World, while fans of the Trailer Park Boys will know them for their version of the Trailer Park Boys theme song featured in the movie Don’t Legalize It.
