FacebookWho: Justice and M83
What: Two of the biggest musical exports France has given the world in recent years, offering a distinctly Gallic take on disco and space-rock.
Why: They’re headlining the Toronto edition of the Hard Fest, which aims to bring some much-needed “dance your ass off in a big open field under the Summer evening sky” vibe to Hogtown.
When: August 4, 2012
Where: Historic Fort York in Toronto (all ages)
Who else: Filling out the impressive lineup are Austra, Buraka Som Sistema, and Charli XCX.
How: Tickets for the show are $49 in advance but courtesy of Embrace, I’ve got two pairs of passes to give away for the show. To enter, email me at contests AT chromewaves.net with “I want to get Hard with Justice” in the subject line and your full name in the body. Contest closes at midnight, July 31.

MP3: M83 – “Midnight City”
Video: Justice – “New Lands”

Frank YangWho: Sharon Van Etten
What: Brooklyn-based singer-songwriter who seemed to break out with 2010’s epic until this year’s Tramp came out and showed what breaking out really looked like.
Why: Though she technically already brought Tramp through town in February, her album was only a week old and her fanbase has grown immensely since; a return engagement was most necessary.
When: Tuesday, July 31, 2012
Where: The Phoenix in Toronto (19+)
Who else: Denver’s Tennis make the bill a solid one-two punch.
How: Tickets for the show are $18.50 in advance but courtesy of Collective Concerts, I’ve got one pair of passes to give away for the show. To enter, email me at contests AT chromewaves.net with “I want to see Sharon Van Etten” in the subject line and your full name in the body and have that in to me before midnight, July 26.
What else: Van Etten talks to The Record about her New Jersey roots and This Is Bristol about the personal investment in her songs.

MP3: Sharon Van Etten – “Serpents”
Video: Sharon Van Etten – “Leonard”

FacebookWho: Aesop Rock
What: New York-born, San Francisco-based hip-hop heavyweight born Ian Matthias Bavitz who’s equally known and respected in indie and rap circles.
Why: He’s touring in support of his sixth album Skelethon, released just last week.
When: Monday, July 30, 2012
Where: The Mod Club in Toronto (19+)
Who else: Tourmates for this outing are Rob Sonic and DJ Big Wiz
How: Tickets for the show are $20 in advance but courtesy of Union Events, I’ve got two pairs of passes to give away for the show. To enter, email me at contests AT chromewaves.net with “I want Aesop Rock” in the subject line and your full name in the body and have that in to me by midnight, July 26.
What else: Exclaim talks to Bavitz about the new record.

MP3: Aesop Rock – “Zero Dark Thirty”
Video: Aesop Rock – “Zero Dark Thirty”

Ben MoonWho: Blind Pilot
What: Folk-pop collective who are hoping last night’s Portlandia between-season brunch special got you in the mood for some Portland lovin’ cause baby, that’s what they got.
Why: This will be their second time through town in less than a year, but last time their second album We Are The Tide was but a couple months old. This time you’ll know the songs, yeah?
When: Wednesday, July 25, 2012
Where: Lee’s Palace in Toronto (19+)
Who else: River City Extension and John Heart Jackie are opening this up. If they’re any good, let me know.
How: Tickets for the show are $17.50 in advance but courtesy of Collective Concerts, I have two pairs of passes to give away for the show. To enter, email me at contests AT chromewaves.net with “I want to see Blind Pilot” in the subject line and your full name in the body. Contest closes at midnight, July 23.
What else: The Baltimore Post-Examiner and Austin 360 have features on the band.

MP3: Blind Pilot – “Keep You Right”

Cameron WittigWho: Andrew Bird
What: Chicagoan singer-songwriter-violinist-guitarist-whistling virtuoso who it has been scientifically and medically proven to have more talent in his little finger than most small villages and hamlets.
Why: His latest album Break It Yourself was released back in March and while fans were getting anxious that Toronto was left off of initial tour itineraries, it turns out he was just waiting for Summer to do it outside.
When: Thursday, July 19, 2012
Where: Echo Beach at Ontario Place, Toronto (all ages)
Who else: The inclusion of local singer-songwriter Basia Bulat as the undercard makes this an absurdly strong bill.
How: Tickets for the show are $37.50 in advance but courtesy of LiveNation, I’ve got two pairs of passes to give away for the show. To enter, email me at contests AT chromewaves.net with “I want to Break It Myself” in the subject line and your full name in the body, and have that in before midnight, July 16.
What else: Michigan Live has a feature piece on Andrew Bird.

MP3: Andrew Bird – “Give It Away”
MP3: Andrew Bird – “Eyeoneye”