Australian band Empire of the Sun is very popular right now. Their refashioned 80s Adam Ant-inspired punk look and their pop-electro sound match other hot bands dipping into the punk era. We love Dirty Projectors (who just played a sold out show here) and their latest album “Bitte Orca”. It builds onto their earlier release, “Rise Above”, an album of experimental Black Flag covers. I wouldn’t call The Juan Maclean punk but Maclean used to be in an indie punk band. The group performs – or DJs – in Toronto a couple times a year and their shows are always packed. Their new album, The Future is Now, is full of classic house dance beats mixed with minimal electro. Maclean’s doing a DJ set here on September 17th at The Social.
The Virgin Music Fest held on August 28th and 29th had a roster of international acts but most attendees went for Toronto dance favorites: Thunderheist and Fritz Helder & the Phantoms.