WAVELENGTH SUMMER THING 

Featuring: Cadence Weapon, Backxwash, Absolutely Free, Yoo Doo Right, Dreamcrusher, James Baley + more

August 26-27, 2022
Two floors, two nights at the Lithuanian House

Early Bird Tickets:
Night 1 (PURCHASE HERE)
Night 2 (PURCHASE HERE)
weekend pass: (PURCHASE HERE)

Where: Lithuanian House (1573 Bloor St. W., Toronto)
All Ages + Licensed
Physically Accessible venue
Doors at 7:00PM

Night 1: Friday, August 26th

Upper Hall: Curated by Cadence Weapon

Cadence Weapon (Toronto — Underground hip-hop icon, 2021 Polaris Prize winner & Bedroom Rapper author)
Ouri (Montreal — Acclaimed experimental electronic producer / Ghostly International)
James Baley (Toronto — Rising R&B/ballroom performer)

Lower Hall: Curated by Backxwash

Backxwash (Montreal — Industrial horrorcore rapper, 2020 Polaris Prize winner)
Dreamcrusher (Brooklyn, NY — “Nihilist queer revolt musik”)
Morgan-Paige (Toronto — Classical/contemporary piano song)
+ LaFHomme (After-party DJ, Montreal)

Night 2: Saturday, August 27th

Upper Hall: Curated by Cadence Weapon

Cadence Weapon (Toronto — Underground hip-hop icon, 2021 Polaris Prize winner & Bedroom Rapper author)
Magi Merlin (Montreal — Buzzy underground soul/rap artist)
Prince Innocence (Toronto — Indie/electronic anthems from the local power duo)
+ Jayemkayem + Freeza Chin (After-party DJs, ISO Radio, Toronto)

Lower Hall — Mothland in Toronto, featuring:

Absolutely Free (Toronto — Hypnotic avant-rock local heroes, Boiled Records)
Yoo Doo Right (Montreal — Post-rock/shoegaze volume-crankers)
Seulement (Montreal — Francophone electro-pop immersion)

More than a show, but not really a festival… it’s just a Summer Thing. Introducing The Wavelength Summer Thing, happening August 26-27 at the Lithuanian House in Toronto.

Headlined and co-curated by the last TWO years of Polaris Music Prize winners – Cadence Weapon and Backxwash – the Wavelength Summer Thing takes over two floors of gorgeous alternative space the Lithuanian House in Toronto’s west end, over two nights to mark a glorious end to summer. Beat the heat (and stay dry) in this fully air-conditioned and weatherproof ALL AGES venue that will be full of curated installations, projections and pop-up performances.

Spotlighting the contributions of Black and LGBTQ+ artists to the Canadian music scene, much of the Summer Thing lineup was originally scheduled for the Wavelength Winter Festival this past February, but was postponed due to Omicron. The Summer Thing’s two floors have been specially curated to maintain distinct vibes in each space, with a narrative flow guiding both evenings — and set times staggered to ensure no direct competition between performances.

The atmospheres across the two stages will range from experimental queer horrorcore to celebratory, hip-hop dance party to psychedelic rock freak scene. Each night will close out with an after-party DJ set with guest selectors invited by the headliners. The announcement coincides with the publishing of headliner, co-curator and underground hip-hop icon Cadence Weapon’s new book, Bedroom Rapper. The opening-night convergence of Cadence Weapon and Montreal industrial horrorcore rapper Backxwash is not to be missed.

Other featured performers include avant-rock local heroes Absolutely Free and Montreal post-rock shoegaze volume-crankers Yoo Doo Right as part of a showcase for the Mothland label & agency; buzzy Montreal underground soul/rap artist Magi Merlin; acclaimed experimental electronic producer Ouri alongside rising R&B/ballroom star James Baley; and a special appearance by New York noise musician and Backxwash collaborator, Dreamcrusher.

Taking place during the traditional August timing of Wavelength’s past summer festivities including Camp Wavelength and ALL CAPS!, the Wavelength Summer Thing will take you back to school while ensuring that summer feeling lasts all the way until next winter.

COVID Protocols:

Your safety is our primary concern. Live event protocols are likely to change month to month. At this time, audience members aged two and older are strongly encouraged to wear face coverings while on the venue property, except when actively eating and drinking. If you are feeling ill, please be considerate and stay home to rest up.

Accessibility:

Lithuanian House is wheelchair accessible. For all other accessibility requests, please contact us at info@wavelengthmusic.ca

Audience Policy:

Wavelength respects the rights of each member of our diverse audience and is committed to providing an environment in which everyone can feel safe. Any behaviour which could reasonably be perceived as physically, emotionally, or mentally harmful to individuals at Wavelength events will not be tolerated. This includes: racism, sexism, homophobia, transphobia, body shaming, ableism, ageism, and all forms of violence.

Please be respectful of others and help Wavelength create a fun and safer space for everyone. If you need help, or see others in need of help, please talk to a Wavelength staff member or volunteer.

For information on Wavelength’s Code of Conduct and Anti-Harassment and Violence policies, please go here.

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Wavelength Summer Thing is supported by:
Ontario Creates
The Canada Council for the Arts
Ontario Arts Council
Toronto Arts Council 
Department of Canadian Heritage
FACTOR
The SOCAN Foundation
Slaight Music
TD Bank 
ArtsVest
Collective Arts Brewing
Exclaim!
CIUT 89.5 FM

Poster art by Baylee Bonnell