By Americana Review
A huge weekend of music in the Greater Toronto Area takes place over the next few days with the fourth edition of the Toronto Urban Roots Festival, a musical celebration of roots music and independent artists taking place at Historic Fort York, just east of downtown Toronto.
Finding its permanent home on the festival schedule, the third weekend of September, the Toronto Urban Roots Festival (or TURF as it’s more commonly known), has taken its rightful place among the top music festivals not just in Toronto, but North America. TURF offers a wide variety of artists that represent many musical tastes. Veteran artists and relative newcomers will take the TURF stages over the weekend, with many acts taking the stage at the Legendary Horseshoe Tavern and Lee’s Palace as part of the TURF Club Series. The Series kicked off in strong fashion on Wednesday night with Limblifter and Overnight at the Horseshoe, and the Sheepdogs and Adam Baldwin playing to a sold out Lee’s Palace.
Among the highlights of this coming weekend, be sure to check out some great Canadian acts like Matt Andersen and the Bona Fide, The Sadies, Whitehorse, Corb Lund and Lee Harvey Osmond. TURF will also showcase some incredible acts from south of the border with two legendary alt-country bands the Drive-by Truckers and the Dropkick Murphy’s performing on two different stages on Friday night. Fortunately their sets are back to back, so you can catch full sets from both bands. Margo Price, whom some music journalists tout as one of the female saviours of traditional country music, will perform Friday afternoon. The Felice Brothers highlight a solid lineup on Saturday, with Death Cab For Cutie at the top of the bill to close the Fort York portion of TURF on Sunday night.
A vendor section and some of the best food trucks in Toronto contribute to what is one of the best weeks and weekends on the musical calendar in the GTA. Whether you take in one day, all three days, or take in a club show, the Toronto Urban Roots Festival is the areas’ best showcase of independent artists showcasing their gifted talent. Check out the TURF web site for full lineup and scheduling.