September Live Music Preview

Big acts keep coming as September music lineup features super star shows

Three nights of Lady Gaga, Pulp, Laney Wilson, Marcin and much more

By Felix Hughes // September 4, 2025, 5:11 pm

After August saw a heavy month of the world’s biggest musicians hitting the city, September promises more of the same as outdoor venues enjoy one last hurrah for the year before the winter weather sets in. On top of those there are a host of great artists hitting all the great indoor venues this city has to offer, from international rappers to country sensations and everything in between. Here’s NEXTs guide to the best concerts in Toronto this month.

Where: Rivoli, 334 Queen St. W. Why you should go: A female-fronted posi-vibes alt-rock band hailing from Toronto, Altered by Mom will celebrate the release of their new album, Altered by Mom, in style with a launch party at the Rivoli. Juno-winning songwriters Gina Kennedy (bass/vox) and Devon Lougheed (guitar, vox), joined by Max Trefler (drums) play with gender roles, lean into DIY creativity and embrace an authentic energy; it’s set to be an epic night celebrating another great Toronto band.

Where: The Mod Club, 722 College St. Why you should go: The veteran British rapper kicks off the second night of his North American tour here in Toronto as part of the launch of his latest album, Ard Bodied. Having long championed the very best upcoming British rappers in collaborating with the likes of Stormzy and Dave, Giggs used his latest album to collaborate with his son, who goes by the name ML. This tour also begins with the looming 10th anniversary of his breakout album, Landlord (2016), making it the perfect opportunity to craft a setlist blending songs new and old.

Where: Horseshoe Tavern, 370 Queen St. W. Why you should go: Hailing from New Orleans, this eight-piece bass ensemble blends jazz music with soul, hip hop, rock and pop for a thundering live experience. After became a local New Orleans favourite, they have collaborated with some of the biggest names in music, from the Wu-Tang Clan to Bruno Mars. In an intimate setting like the Horseshoe, their sound will be bouncing off the walls for what promises to be a thrilling show. Joining them on this stop of their tour is hip hop icon Talib Kweli, who first played with the band nearly a decade ago in Brooklyn.

Wed., Sept. 10; Thurs., Sept 11; Sat., Sept. 13

Where: Scotiabank Arena, 40 Bay St. Why you should go: Three years since her last show in the city, the 21st century’s Queen of Pop returns for three nights. Her latest album, Mayhem, was a triumphant return after a five-year gap between albums to focus on her film career, and it includes catchy earworms like Abracadabra and Disease. On top of that, the Mayhem Ball tour has been lauded for its staging and theatrical elements that turn it into a 27-song set list of unbridled pop joy.

Where: The Concert Hall, 888 Yonge St. Why you should go: A Polish acoustic guitarist who has already taken the U.S. by storm with his run to the semi-finals of America’s Got Talent, Marcin continues to refine his skills with distinct flare. He incorporates both classic and modern pieces into his live shows, whether that be Beethoven or Metallica, with his range on full display on his debut album, released last year, Dragon in Harmony.

Where: Budweiser Stage, 909 Lake Shore Blvd. Why you should go: Oasis aren’t the only Britpop group getting in on reunion action. After 24 years since there previous album, Pulp returned with new music in the form of More, an album that reminded fans why they fell in love with all the band’s eccentricities in the first place. Joining them on this leg of the tour is Hamilton Leithauser, lead singer of The Walkmen and solo artist who also just returned with a new album after some time away, though with a shorter break of five years.

Where: Massey Hall, 178 Victoria St. Why you should go: Hot off their spellbinding performance in Pompeii, the Nordic folk band bring their unique sound across the pond. Their music is rooted in ancient Nordic traditions, utilizing instruments that (in many cases) only a few people can play, all in the name of crafting music that holds onto tradition and celebrates man’s bond with nature. It’s a live show like no other, giving an insight into a whole different way of being.

Where: Lee’s Palace, 529 Bloor St. W. Why you should go: This September sees the inaugural Second Summer music festival taking over Toronto’s West End with the aim of reconnecting with music away from restrictive algorithms, with independent artists firmly in the spotlight. The multi-venue festival’s opening night see’s punk stars Dry Cleaning and Slash Needs take the stage, as well as appearances from hip hop artist JayWood and a DJ set by Born Ruffians.

Where: Budweiser stage, 909 Lake Shore Blvd. W. Why you should go: One of the best voices in country to emerge over the last half decade, the Grammy award-winning Lainey Wilson is midway through her first world tour that has its final non-U.S. stop in Toronto at the Bud stage. Her latest album, Whirlwind, really pushed her into mainstream success, with fans of the TV show Yellowstone likely to recognize many of those songs when she performed them in the show as the character Abby. Expect the venues she plays to only get bigger with each subsequent tour.

Where: The Garrison, 1197 Dundas St. W. Why you should go: Since her self-release 2019 debut LP, All My People, the Irish singer-songwriter takes Irish folk influences and infuses them with punk sensibilities. After six years, she released her latest LP, Luster, early this year, and the growth within her music was clear to see thanks to the album’s dreamlike quality through the imagery it evoked as well as a pop sound throughout.

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