End-of-Summer Concerts Recap 2023

I went to a lot of concerts this summer. There was absolutely no way I could write about them all in a timely manner, so here is a super late overview instead.

Rina Sawayama @ History

I wasn't planning on going to see the Hold The Girl tour because I thought I would see her Osheaga set (spoiler: I didn't make it to Osheaga), but I'm so glad I did because she was AMAZING. I invited my friend Jack from my program and we had so much fun. We had to Uber to History because we were kinda late (oops). Once we got in the line, we immediately made friends with the people behind us. Allie, Cass and JingYi were the BEST. We stayed with them in the pit too.

The openers were... well let's just say they were the openers for a reason. Rina Sawayama however, was incredible. Now, I don't know what the budget was for this tour, but I've paid a LOT more for much less. Miss Sawayama DELIVERED. She gave us vocals (that mic was ON), wardrobe, choreo, banter AND comedy. Also, the setlist was fantastic (obviously, like look at the material). I know the ranking will be difficult this year, but Hold The Girl will most definetly be in the favourites.

Dominic Fike @ Massey Hall

Of course, the one time I fall victim to a platinum ticket, the show isn't worth it. I was SO excited for the Sunburn tour, but the Toronto show was kind of a disaster. Dominic Fike was not only recovering from whatever illness he had but was having issues with his guitar strings as well. He kept cutting his fingers on the strings so he didn't play it for most of the show. Literally every other second, he was bandaging his thumb. I mean, the audience ate up the antics, but I think he should've rescheduled (I trust him to come back, unlike SOME individuals). The setlist was good, but I didn't like the vibe of the people around me. I don't know what it was about them, but they were just so different from the crowd last winter. Regardless, I'll probably be in attendance next tour.

Jonas Brothers @ Rogers Centre

Sayak and his friend Izzy met me at Starbucks after my shift. I was super hangry but I calmed down after I had my decaf americano and coffee cake (thank you Sayak). Izzy got merch before we ate at St. Louis for dinner. Their chicken fingers are AMAZING and the drinks were surprisngly good too.

Lawerence opened and they were... definitley a band! I can't say we particulary enjoyed them, but we defineitely kept it fun. When Jonas Brothers came out, I died. I wasn't even a stan, but you would think I was from the way I was screaming along to the songs. There may have been tears when they played Australia. Also, Toronto got "red dress" so my voice was immediately gone after that. The set was pretty amazing for craming five albums (and a Camp Rock song) into three hours. Also, the intermission was a genius idea. There was just enough time for us to look at floor tickets to their show in Ottawa, which I genuinely considered buying. Needless to say, I LOVED the show. If I had the means to go again, I would!

Manifesto Presents: The Block Party @ Echo Beach

After the Lil Nas X concert, I vowed that I would never go back to Echo Beach. Matthew might be the only person on Earth who could convince me to return to that retched venue for a music festival of some sort with a headlining artist I've already seen. We had drinks and tater tots at Pennies before heading over. Thank GOD they removed the sand because that would've been the end for me.

While we were waiting for Aminé, we took turns getting overpriced pizza and water and listened to the other acts from a picnic bench in the distance. Aminé's DJ actually played in our faces because after he did an hour set, he hyped us up for Aminé just to do another 15-minute set before he came out. Aminé was great as usual, and the setlist was all hits. I'm sad Kaytranada didn't come out for "4Eva," but hopefully they add a Toronto date on their next tour.

Lauren Mayberry @ Horseshoe Tavern

So I actually had no clue who Lauren Mayberry was before ggwendolyn announced she would be opening for her on tour. Tickets were already sold out by the time of the announcement, so I waited until the resale price dropped closer to the original. It was SO worth it. ggwendolyn had a concussion, but you never would've of known it. She was AMAZING. I'm pretty sure I was the only one there who knew who she was, but she had a line up of new fans after the show. Apparently Lauren Mayberry was performing her album before she released it, so no one else knew the songs either. I mean what are the odds. I don't think the project was for me, but there were a few songs I really liked. I got to meet ggwendolyn after the show and she was so lovely. I had already bought merch, but she saved one of the setlists and signed it for me. I CANNOT wait until she announces a solo tour!

Janelle Monae @ Massey Hall

The last summer concert was Janelle Monae. It was only right that I ended one of the most fun summers with Sayak. I met him at after my shift and then Ubered his backpack home (I had done the same earlier). We got Five Guys for dinner before heading over to the venue. Flyana Boss were the openers and they were cute! I don't think I need tickets to. asolo tour, but hearing "You Wish," live made my entire life. Also, their DJ might just be THE biggest groupie ever and we were so there for it. Sayak and I got to meet them in between sets and for once and life the pictures are actually cute (except for the ones with that random).

Janelle is an EXCELLENT performer. Though we had an obstructed view, we still cooked it up. That Mic was ON. My only complaint is the 2-3 minute extension of each song. Perhaps they could've just added a few more into the set to fill the time instead of doing 12 encores within one song. Personally, I would've loved to hear "We Are Young". But, they did give us "Cold War," which Sayak says was specifically for him (honestly, I think so too). We stopped at McDonald's before heading back home and ending what was probably the best summer for concerts ever.

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