Southeast Ireland's TULUA come out swinging with "Michael Relihan's / Rigney's / Cap and Bells (Reels)," a blazing three tune set that rips straight through the opening of their acclaimed second album, 'In The Snug,' out now. This is a band lighting the fuse and letting it run, "Michael Relihan's" reel kicks the door open, "Rigney's Reel," a tune made legendary by the playing of Paddy O'Brien, keeps the energy climbing, and the set explodes into its finish with "Cap and Bells," a Josephine Keegan tune the band picked up halfway across the world during an unforgettable 6 a.m. kitchen session with fellow traditional players while touring Australia. Evan O'Grady joins the fray on bodhrán, driving the whole set forward with relentless, foot-stomping momentum.

Simcoe, Ontario-based Canadian folk singer-songwriter Tia McGraff, alongside her husband and musical partner Tommy Parham, releases "Two Wolves (Remix)" out now, the lead single from their upcoming album 'With a Friend,' arriving October 31 on Bandana Records. The song draws its title and its message from the well-known Cherokee legend of a grandfather teaching his grandson about the two wolves that live inside every person, one full of anger, the other full of compassion, and the lesson that whichever wolf wins is simply the one you feed. 

 https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=xIgwmgKU6Qo

 Rumba flamenco guitarist Jesse Cook releases his new album, 'past the breakwater,' on September 18 through Coach House Music, distributed by Believe. The 10-track record follows two singles already circulating, "forever" and "you were looking north," out now, and lands alongside the Forever Live Tour, an extensive run of North American dates that carries Cook and his band well into 2027, with a marquee stop at Casino Rama in Orillia, Ontario this November.

 https://www.youtube.com/jessecookhq

Tracey Savein’s wrap-up for Summer with Picture This!

Photos and content submitted by Tracey Savein
© for Cashbox Canada

Any kind of photography, as I see it, is all about capturing motion and emotion. Whether the subject is raucous and rockin’ or the location is silent and still, if you can transport the viewer into a moment in time with an image and relay the energy of that moment, well, there’s your photograph – Tracey Savein

Tom Cochrane - September 5th @ The CNE Bandshell, Toronto

Tom Cochrane (centre) having a blast closing out the 2026 CNE Bandshell in Toronto with best pals and bandmates Bill Bell (left) and Jeff Jones (right)

 Anaheim-based singer-songwriter and author Bobbo Byrnes continues to build momentum behind Too Many Miles: On the Road with an Unofficial Rock & Roll Goodwill Ambassador, his 2026 memoir and companion album, a pairing that turns more than two decades of touring into a sprawling account of life on the road.

https://www.barnesandnoble.com/w/too-many-miles-bobbo-byrnes/1149473280

 Kitchener, Ontario singer-songwriter Kevin Westphal, better known to Canadian audiences as The Canuck, releases "The Food Inflation Blues," a country comedy track born out of a conversation that stuck with him longer than he expected. Standing in the checkout line, Westphal asked a store manager why prices kept climbing, and later that same night watched the news report record grocery store profits. "I picked up my guitar and 'The Food Inflation Blues' just came out," he says.

https://www.youtube.com/watch?si=qv7n-XMR20T-b6IH&v=X0xadJHI5Zs&feature=youtu.be

The Kensington Market Jazz Festival (KMJF) launches its 11th year with a free Opening Party at Trinity Common on Friday, September 18, from 6 to 8 p.m., the official kickoff to a full weekend of live music returning to the streets, stages, patios and intimate venues of one of Toronto's most storied neighbourhoods, September 18, 19 and 20, 2026. The party is open to everyone and marks the launch of a lineup that already includes five of the biggest names in Canadian jazz: Alex Bird, Hilario Duran, Robi Botos, Rich Brown and Jane Bunnett, along with book readings from Marc Jordan and Robert Priest and the premiere of a new event, the Poetry Slam. More artist announcements are still coming.

Award winning Ojibwe singer songwriter, multi-instrumentalist, humanitarian, and educator Shy-Anne Hovorka releases her new single and music video, "Raise My Fist," out now. Inspired by former Long Lake #58 First Nation Chief Judy Desmoulin, the song stands as a celebration of Indigenous strength, unity, and the ongoing journey of reconciliation, brought to life by a community of more than 30 Indigenous and ally artists from First Nations, Métis communities, and organizations across Canada.

 https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=MvM9Z5xnLq4

Chris McKhool, one of Canada's most beloved musicians for children and families, is inviting young listeners to clap, prowl, soar, and splash with his new single "Animal Samba," out now and the first taste of his forthcoming album 'Global Dance Party!' arriving November 6. Coming off a JUNO nomination for his 2025 release Little Leaf, McKhool continues a three-decade mission of creating joyful, inclusive music that gets kids moving while sparking genuine curiosity about the natural world.

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=xAWzsHT06g8&feature=youtu.be

Bruce Cockburn has spent more than five decades writing some of the most enduring songs in Canadian music, and on his new album, 'The Blood of Others,' released October 16^th through Sunset Boulevard Records, he turns his attention to the songs that shaped him long before he wrote a single lyric of his own. 

The album gathers material written by others, tracing a musical lineage that stretches from the gospel and blues records he heard as a child in Ottawa to the folk clubs and coffeehouses where he first found his voice. "What began back in the eighties as a vague notion grew over time into a strong desire to put together a collection of material, written by others, that I found sticking to the edges of my musical landscape," Cockburn explains. "The accumulation of these songs started in the sixties, before I'd even begun to try to create my own."

Johnny Max Releases New Music with His So-Called Friends

The award-winning Johnny Max Band, led by the charismatic and whip sharp Johnny Max, have been touring Canada and Europe for over 30 years and bring their remarkable rhythm & blues, Memphis meets Chicago and New Orleans sound to enthusiastic crowds wherever they go. 

With two JUNO award nominations, eight Maple Blues awards nominations, and the winner of the International Songwriting Competition Award for “Daddy’s Little Girl”, off the album A Long Road. The Johnny Max Band consistently wows audiences with joyous, sometimes raucous rhythms and masterful showmanship. 

Brampton will come alive with the rhythm, flavour and spirit of the Caribbean as the JAMBANA One World Festival lights up Brampton Sports Park on Monday, August 3, 2026. Presented by TD and in collaboration with the City of Brampton, the free festival celebrates Emancipation Day with an unforgettable day of live entertainment, cultural experiences, and family-friendly activities.

Recognized as one of Canada’s premier multicultural festivals, JAMBANA brings together thousands of attendees each year to honour the rich heritage and lasting contributions of the African and Caribbean diaspora while celebrating the diversity that makes Canada stronger.

August 14, 2026, Jazzin’ Juniors. Youth Showcase, Brantford, ON (Sold Out)

August 15, 2026, Main Event, Port Dover Community Centre, Port Dover, ON, 5 PM

August 16, 2026, Glenhyrst Gardens, Brantford, ON, 1 PM

Canadian Rock Icon Bif Naked Returns with New Single "Lift Me Up"

Canadian rock icon Bif Naked has released "Lift Me Up," a new single written with longtime collaborator Ezra Cipes and produced by Cipes alongside Peter Karroll. The track marks a reunion between two artists whose creative history stretches back nearly two decades, and it arrives as Bif continues one of the busiest stretches of her career, touring behind both her acclaimed, multi award winning documentary and her 2025 studio album 'Champion.'

Photos and content submitted by Tracey Savein
© for Cashbox Canada

This new addition to our brand is a column dedicated to the night life (and some days) in the great city of Toronto, featuring live event photos. Tracey Savein brings an incredible eye (of the lens) capturing special moments in time. Because as the saying goes – A picture is worth a thousand words.

Any kind of photography, as I see it, is all about capturing motion and emotion. Whether the subject is raucous and rockin’ or the location is silent and still, if you can transport the viewer into a moment in time with an image and relay the energy of that moment, well, there’s your photograph – Tracey Savein

Hiromi - June 27th @ Koerner Hall, Toronto

Hiromi having a blast during the Toronto Jazz Festival at Koerner Hall in Toronto

Rockstalgia Music Festival announces its inaugural two-day celebration of rock music, set for July 11 and 12, 2026 at the Orono Fairgrounds in Orono, Ontario. Spanning 70s, 80s, and 90s rock across two stages and 24 bands, the festival is anchored by JUNO recognized Canadian headliner Wide Mouth, with tickets at $39.95 for Sunday, $69.95 for Saturday including taxes and fees.

Acclaimed classical guitarist Emma Rush, widely regarded as one of Canada's premier classical guitarists (Vivascene Magazine), returns with her new EP 'Home Sweet Home,' available now on 7" vinyl and through Bandcamp. The Hamilton-based virtuoso has built a remarkable career bringing forgotten music to light, and this release continues that mission with warmth, curiosity, and a deep sense of place. Recorded on a historic instrument and paired with a trio of striking videos, the project finds Rush at her most personal and inviting. 

They came, they sang, they conquered! The 15^th SING! The Toronto International Vocal Arts Festival wrapped on June 6 after more than two weeks of concerts and workshops.  This year’s theme was Singing Together and there were many opportunities for groups to collaborate and the public to join in.

Deke Sharon, considered the “father of contemporary a cappella”, led a singalong of songs from the popular Pitch Perfect movies, where he was Music Director.  There were behind-the-scenes stories from the movie sets, and everyone got a chance to try the famous “cup song” using cups autographed by Deke.

Tackling tunes from the 80’s, Retrocity belted out old favourites, then invited audience members to a live karaoke, where the a cappella band provided the accompaniment.

Hundreds of beatboxers gathered at Toronto’s Rec Room for a full weekend “all from the mouth” sounds and rhythms. It was an international showdown featuring a Top 16 solo performers and Top 4 loopstation competitors from across the globe. The winner of the solo competition qualified for the Grand Beatbox Battle 2026 in Poland later this year, which reaches 10 million fans globally.

Toronto’s Most Beloved Neighbourhood Jazz Festival Announces Its Return — Artist Lineup to Follow

Toronto, Ontario — The Kensington Market Jazz Festival (KMJF) is coming back. Now in its 11th year, the festival returns to the streets, stages, patios, and intimate venues of one of Toronto’s most storied neighbourhoods on September 18, 19, and 20, 2026. Artist announcements are coming, and they will be worth the wait. In the meantime, mark the dates: three days of live jazz, community energy, and the magic that only KMJF delivers, in the one neighbourhood that has always understood what music is for.

The acclaimed audiovisual tour of Eglinton West's storied cultural district expands with more dates, new locations, and private bookings

The Canada Black Music Archives' Little Jamaica Music History Walking Tour is back and better than ever, returning to Toronto for a new season that celebrates one of the most culturally significant neighbourhoods in the country. Following a sold-out run last year that drew residents and visitors alike, the immersive 1.5-to-2-hour audiovisual tour invites participants to walk through the living history of a community that became the second largest hub for reggae music in the world, after Kingston, Jamaica.