Singer/songwriter Jerry Leger is attracting attention with his latest album, Early Riser.
A weekly feature that highlights the 10 best music happenings in Toronto. Here's what's on this week, Dec. 12 to 18.
The Hold Steady The thinking man's bar band from Minnesota does four nights of earnest alt-rock, in celebration of the Horseshoe's 67th anniversary. To Dec. 10 to 13, 9 p.m. $25.50. Horseshoe Tavern, 370 Queen St. W., 877-435-9849 or ticketfly.com.
Hot Sardines Hot old-time ensemble jazz, plus a tap dancer. What more could you ask for? Well, how about opening act Barbra Lica Quintet, a local treasure. Dec. 12, 8 p.m. $25 to $60. Koerner Hall, 273 Bloor St. W., 416-408-0208 or performance.rcmusic.ca.
Foggy Hogtown Boys The mountain-music specialists launch their seventh album, Animals, Insects and People. Dec. 12, 8:30 p.m. $22.50 to $25. Hugh's Room, 2261 Dundas St. W., 416-531-6604 or hughsroom.com.
Jerry Leger The Dylanish troubadour is making waves with his latest album, Early Riser. Dec. 12, 7 p.m. $10. Dakota Tavern, 249 Ossington Ave., 416-850-4579.
Medeski, Scofield Martin & Wood With their third studio collaboration, Juice, the freewheeling jazz trio renews its collaboration with the great jazz-rock guitarist John Scofield. Is the Juice worth the squeeze? Find out at Massey Hall. Dec. 12, 8 p.m. $29.50 to $89.50. Massey Hall, 178 Victoria St., 416-872-4255 or masseyhall.com.
The Little Barley-Corne From the nine-member Toronto Consort, an early-music party of ballads, dances and French noëls. Dec. 12 and 13 (8 p.m.) and Dec. 14 (3:30 p.m.). $21 to $61. Trinity-St. Paul's Centre, 427 Bloor St. W., 416-964-6337 or torontoconsort.org.
Tinashe "If you roll with me," she croons on her summer single 2on, "then you'll be winning now." Get on board – it's doubtful this American R&B adventurer will be playing a room this small again any time soon. Dec. 13, 10 p.m. $35.40. Tattoo Queen West, 567 Queen St. W., 1-855-985-5000 or ticketmaster.ca.
The King's Singers A mix of British wit and a capella magic, in a program of Christmas songs and close harmony. Dec. 14, 3 p.m. $35 to $90. Koerner Hall, 273 Bloor St. W., 416-408-0208 or performance.rcmusic.ca.
TSO: Messiah Hubristically (but not necessarily wrongly) self-billed as "Toronto's best Messiah." Dec. 16 to 21. $38 to $109. Roy Thomson Hall, 60 Simcoe St., 416-872-4255 or masseyhall.com.
Jason Collett's Basement Revue Usually the host, convener and singer-songwriter Jason Collett keeps the artist lineup for his annual music-and-readings shows a secret, but for this one he couldn't keep it to himself. He gives you Joseph Boyden, A Tribe Called Red, Jennifer Castle, Lee Maracle, Naomi Klein and more. Dec. 18, 8:30 p.m. $28.50. Opera House, 735 Queen St. W., galleryac.com/tickets.html.
JUST ANNOUNCED
Tom Cochrane March 13, 2015. Massey Hall, 416-872-4255 or masseyhall.com
Will Butler March 27, 2015. Horseshoe Tavern, 877-435-9849 or ticketfly.com
Field Trip June 6 and 7, 2015. Fort York Garrison Common, fieldtriplife.com
U2 July 6 and 7, 2015. Air Canada Centre, 1-855-985-5000 or ticketmaster.ca
BOOKING AHEAD
Toronto Children's Chorus Dec. 20. Roy Thomson Hall, 416-872-4255 or masseyhall.com
The Good Lovelies Christmas Dec. 20 and 21. Harbourfront Centre Theatre, 416-872-4255 or masseyhall.com
Alvvays Dec. 20. Opera House, 877-435-9849 or ticketfly.com
July Talk Dec. 20. Phoenix, unionevents.com
July Talk Dec. 21. Tattoo. 1-855-985-5000 or ticketmaster.ca
Tafelmusik: Sing-Along Messiah Dec. 21. Massey Hall, 416-872-4255 or masseyhall.com
Blue Rodeo & Friends Christmas Show Dec. 21. Danforth Music Hall, 1-855-985-5000 or ticketmaster.ca
Chuck Jackson & the All-Star Band: Have A Bluesy Christmas Dec. 22 and 23. Hugh's Room, 416-531-6604 or hughsroom.com
Jason Collett's Basement Revue Dec. 23 and 30. Dakota Tavern, arts-crafts.ca
Jesus Christ Superstar Jan. 16 to 31, 2015. Hart House Theatre, 416-978-8849 or uofttix.ca
The Ting Tings Jan. 19, 2015. Mod Club, 1-855-985-5000 or ticketmaster.ca
Marilyn Manson Feb. 2, 2015. Sound Academy, 1-855-985-5000 or ticketmaster.ca
Ani DiFranco Feb. 2, 2015. Danforth Music Hall, 1-855-985-5000 or ticketmaster.ca
Spandau Ballet Feb. 3, 2015. Massey Hall, 416-872-4255 or masseyhall.com
Rufus Wainwright Feb. 6, 2015. Queen Elizabeth Theatre, 877-435-9849 or ticketfly.com
Sturgill Simpson Feb. 8, 2015. Horseshoe, 877-435-9849 or ticketfly.com
Cannibal! The Musical Feb. 10 to March 1, 2015. Panasonic Theatre, 416-872-1212 or mirvish.com
ZZ Top March 5, 2015. FirstOntario Centre, Hamilton, 1-855-985-5000 or ticketmaster.ca
Damien Rice April 11, 2015. Massey Hall, 1-855-985-5000 or masseyhall.com
John Mellencamp April 29, 2015. Hamilton Place Theatre, Hamilton, 1-855-985-5000 or ticketmaster.ca
John Mellencamp May 1 and 2, 2015. Sony Centre, 1-855-985-5000 or ticketmaster.ca
Diana Krall May 22 and 23, 2015. Massey Hall, 416-872-4255 or masseyhall.com
Lana Del Rey, with Courtney Love June 3, 2015. Molson Amphitheatre, 1-855-985-5000 or ticketmaster.ca
Foo Fighters July 8 and 9, 2015. Molson Amphitheatre, 1-855-985-5000 or ticketmaster.ca
Taylor Swift Oct. 2 and 3, 2015. Air Canada Centre, 1-855-985-5000 or ticketmaster.ca
The Who Oct. 19 and 21, 2015. Air Canada Centre, 1-855-985-5000 or ticketmaster.ca