2018 INDIE WEEK CANADA (Toronto) REVIEW
Indie Week Canada (Toronto) is celebrating its 16th year of showcasing the best of independent talent in 25+ venues, over 6 nights. 250+ acts from all over the globe will play in front of music industry professionals & this unique festival puts industry & artists together, a stepping stone for artists wanting to enter into the North American & Canadian markets & make the connections that can help take your band to the next level. Starting as a hobby for Darryl Hurs (founder & director) it has grown into an International Festival in Ireland for 6 years, now the last 4 in Manchester England. This was their biggest year with the largest amount of acts on the bill. VENUES throughout Toronto opened their doors to full houses filled with a growth of talent from all genres. For only $7/advance or $10/door or a Super Pass that provided you access to the conference, all indie showcases, VIP, Industry mixers, Indie Week Launch party & Awards or you could’ve opted for an All-Access Pass giving you the access to the same minus the mixers or you could’ve worked your way
Below is the full list of Venues that participated
They also hosted Road to Indie Week in Halifax, Winnipeg, Brasilia, London (UK) & Montreal. Indie Week is not just a nonstop musical showcase it boasts a very informative fun-filled conference experience entitled

All the way from Chile, Adelaida was part of the opening ceremonies & I got to witness them critique & judge their essence on Friday night at The Hideout as they revved us up! This act was very confident & bore their souls thru their hits Fantasma, Holgrama & Columpio were a great mix of eclectic sounds similar to that of a hardcore thrashy version of The Clash, very emotional, totally in their zone, truly excitable on stage & super shy off stage.
The Cameron House • Ghost Caravan
The Hideout • The Crooked
The Paddock • Towers & Trees
Bovine Sex Club • Black Absinthe
Brooklynn • Amy Guess
B Side • Twenty-One Twenty
The Hideout • Dona Cislene
The Paddock • Grown UP Avenger Stuff
and
WINNERS FROM SAT. NOV. 10th
Therefore, one selected act from each Semi Final’s venue went on to play at The Mod Club, Indie Week Awards on Sunday, Nov. 11th as the FINALISTS, (see photo below)


TRISS, a 4 piece mounted the stage with knowledge, confidence, professionalism & their jumpsuits all matched….I knew before they started, these kids are genius. Sure enough, two keyboardists played their own guitar & bass guitar while perfecting that 80s techno club sound on their magic boxes and keys, multi-taskers. Vocals blended nicely as the audience started to dance & cheer from all over that hall.
BEST NATIONAL EMERGING ARTISTS presented to Hamilton’s
BEST INTERNATIONAL EMERGING ARTIST & the winner was Dot Legacy from France who also got big news at the festival, they officially signed up with Paquin Artists Agency.
Jack Daniels
Hop City Brewing Co.
Slaight Music
&
SPONSORED BY:
Music Ontario
CIMA
Ole
UNISON
ACTRA RACS
Sonic Bids
Along with Showcasing Partners:
Seneca College, Pour Montreal, Fluvial, COMA, Electic Comfort, HotVox, Pyramid Cabaret, Park Bench 13, Dusty Pop Entertainment, Red Jam Records, Pro Chile, X Plus International, Lyric Find, Isreal Consulate General.
Combined with Media Partners:
& Canadian Musician, CUE Digital, Tosta Mista, NOW Magazine.
Some more random faces of Indie Week Canada (Toronto) 2018