14 must-see concerts in Toronto this October

Concerts in Toronto this October honour the spirit of the spookiest month with enough goth, metal and shock rock to fill several graveyards, but there’s also a pleasant dose of pop to cut through all the heaviness. Get your freak on with Marilyn Manson, Gwar, Guns n Roses, Goblin and Twiztid (hey, Juggalos are relevant now), or opt for lighter fare from Halsey, Kid Cudi, Future Islands and Alt-J. If you’re already missing fest season, get your fix with annual punk celebration Not Dead Yet, the Music Gallery’s X Avant XII and Next Music from Tokyo. Events you might want to check out:

Harry Styles (October 4 @ Massey Hall)
Prominent survivor of the modern boy-band era, Styles has transitioned to mature songwriter-type with his eponymous debut. The first tour comes to little ol' Massey, but rest assured there’s a bigger ACC gig planned for 2018.
Zola Jesus (October 6 @ The Garrison)
Nika Roza Danilova went through some tough personal experiences after releasing her last album, but those emotions have been funnelled into the stunning Okovi, arguably her best work to date. Catch her in Longboat Hall's brick-walled intimacy.
Azealia Banks (October 8 @ The Opera House)
Tough to root for her at this point, but if you can look past all the headline-grabbing foolishness, Banks’s house fusion and searing rhymes are worth remembering. It certainly won’t be boring when she swings by this month.
The Pack A.D. (October 12 @ Horseshoe Tavern)
The loud Vancouver duo seems set to inch closer to power-pop greatness with the tease of their upcoming new LP Dollhouse, and will hit the ‘Shoe the day before its release.
Wolf Parade (October 13 @ The Phoenix Concert Theatre)
Despite the six-year break, Wolf Parade have been warmly welcomed back to the Canadian Indie Darling Club and are ready to move past 2005 nostalgia with Cry Cry Cry, out next week. NYC’s 90s-inspired Charly Bliss opens.
Paramore (October 13 @ Massey Hall)
A guilty pleasure of many rock purists (admit it jerks, they’re hooky as hell and Hayley’s voice continuously rules, come at me) will showcase their more recent embrace of synths, with Best Coast tagging along.
D.O.A (October 14 @ Horseshoe tavern)
Horseshoe Tavern is celebrating its 70 years with a string of high-profile alumni revisiting the stage. After Billy Bragg’s three-night sellout, legendary punks DOA are next to honour the historic venue.
Kesha (October 16 @ REBEL)
Despite ongoing legal turmoil, the glittery pop weirdo just scored a major victory with her first new album in roughly five years, embraced by critics as much as by fans. Hear what the real Kesha sounds like at Rebel.
Foxmoulder (October 20 @ D-Beastro)
Few know them outside local punk circles, but this band has long been a pillar in Toronto hardcore, proudly wearing the “screamo” tag and wrecking ears most of this decade. They’re breaking up, so say goodbye and support a great DIY space.
The War On Drugs (October 21 @ Massey Hall & Roy Thomson Hall)
Feels like yesterday we watched these dudes climb to prominence amidst a barrage of baffling Mark Kozelek insults. Now they’re on a major label - the same label who signed the “Cash me Outside” girl for whatever reason, so good sign?
Chelsea Wolfe (October 21 @ The Opera House)
Converge’s Kurt Ballou produced the new Hiss Spun, Wolfe's latest effort to plumb the depths of bleakness to beautiful effect, so expect her to be at peak bone-shaking heaviness at the Opera House (close to Halloween, fittingly).
Tori Amos (October 30 @ Massey Hall)
The illustrious piano-plinking songstress has just released her 15th studio LP and will bring her stirring compositions for a one-night stand at Massey.
Courtney Barnett and Kurt Vile (October 31 @ Massey Hall & Roy Thomson Hall)
These solo stars from opposite ends of the planet combined their distinctively dry songwriting powers for a collab album, and have assembled an all-star indie band featuring members of Sleater-Kinney, Warpaint and others to tour with them.
Katy Perry Witness World Tour (October 31 @ ACC)
Katy Perry brings her enormous Witness World Tour to Toronto for the first of back to back nights at the ACC. If you like big budget theatrics, multiple outfit changes, and general pomp, this is the ticket.

by Shazia Khan via blogTO