I’ve been intrigued watching the increasing prominence on the GTA live music scene of the restaurant chain of Bier Markt locations, which now number five in the GTA plus one in Ottawa, another in Montreal and a new one just opened in St. John’s, Newfoundland.

The Esplanade location was the flagship room for the GTA and has been operating for several years that I’m aware of and nowadays there are also rooms on King St. West downtown plus a Don Mills location, one in Etobicoke and another in Mississauga.

Although owned by food services giant Cara Operations Limited, which also owns Harvey’s, Swiss Chalet, Kelsey’s and East Side Marios among many familiar restaurant brands, and employs nearly 40,000 people, the chain has a progressive, pro-live music entertainment policy and seems to have a pretty savvy talent buyer.

All five of the local rooms have live entertainment three nights every week, from Thursday through Saturday, though often some of them employ a dj on Thursdays rather than a band.  But at all the locations the level of talent is pretty impressive, featuring bands that are on the upper end of the “chicken wing circuit,” so I’m assuming they also pay reasonably decent money.

Tonight the listing for the Mississauga location (at 55 City Centre Drive in the heart of the suburban city) caught my interest because I’ve written previously about the original material that Shawn Brady and The Northern Sons have released, including their most recent Broken Traffic Lights album.

I’d expect that for a venue like this, which, like its affiliated rooms, caters to a 20s/30s middle-income crowd, Brady et al will probably favour more covers than originals like the “Last Night In Toyko” tune that impressed me (and which you can hear on our Featured Tracks page on the TorontoMoon.ca website) but that’s no problem for this versatile performer.

As I’ve also noted previously, Brady excels at covering a wide range of chart-toppers spanning several decades, and is also the frontman for the internationally acclaimed Elevation U2 tribute band.

There’s no cover at any of the Bier Markt locations and the shows normally start around 10 or 10:30.

-Gary 17, TorontoMoon.ca

SHOW LISTINGS for Friday, July 08, 2021

Listings are organized by area in which the shows occur and within each area field shows are listed chronologically.

Listings preceded by an asterisk (*) are repeating weekly events. (Double asterisk indicates repeating event with different hosts/guest/etc.). Events preceded by question mark (?) usually take place but have not been confirmed. Admission prices followed by a slash and minus (/-) after the amount indicates door charge with availability of cheaper rates for some purchases. /+ indicates stated price is minimum.

Names of subscribers appear in bold, are underlined and, where applicable, include a live link to their websites. Advertisers’ listings are in larger type, highlighted, include live link to website and also have ad icon included in listings.

416 – TORONTO CENTRAL

*3-7> acoustic jam with John Hutt @ Lola, 40 Kensington Ave., TO

*4-6> Hogtown Syncopators @ The Rex, 194 Queen St. W., TO ~Jazz; $

*5-8> Kensington Kitchen Party with host Kevin Jollimore of Sin City Boys, Kim Cadilla on bass & guest musicians @ Graffiti’s, 170 Baldwin St., TO ~Pop Rock with heart

*5:30> Jazz Generation; Melissa Smeets @ Imperial Pub, 54 Dundas St. E., TO ~Jazz

6-9> Second Fridays with Hold The Bus featuring Kevin Jeffrey & featuring guests Kevin Bell & Karen Bell @ Grossman’s, 379 Spadina Ave., TO ~Roots/Country

6> David Celia @ Cameron House (front), 408 Queen St. W., TO ~indie Pop songwriter

6-7:30> Penny Singh @ 120 Diner, 120 Church St., TO ~Jazz; $10/pwyc

6:30> Felipe Salles with Mark Micklethwaite @ The Rex, 194 Queen St. W., TO ~Jazz; $

7> Prophets; Conveyer; High Hopes; Cold Shoulder @ Sneaky Dee’s, 431 College St., TO ~indie; $10

8> Sebastian Brown @ Cameron House (front), 408 Queen Street West, TO

8> Rez Blues with David Deleary; Murray Porter @ The Eagles Club, 17 Elm St., TO ~Blues

8> Ron Hawkins & Liz Stringer @ Graffiti’s, 170 Baldwin St., TO ~Country

8:30> On Topic @ May Café, 876 Dundas St. W., TO

8:30-11:30> Colin Hunter with The Joe Sealy Quartet @ Jazz Bistro, 251 Victoria St., TO ~Jazz; $

*8:30-12:30> All Star Band feat. Joe Bowden & Brooke Blackburn @ Nawlin’s, 299 King St. W. TO ~Blues

9> Jay Semko; Lawrie Ingles @ C’est What, 67 Front St. E., TO ~songwriters; $10

9> SOTC: Jim Amar; Ory Tracy; The Cowboy Buddha Band; Bridgeway @ The Paddock, 178 Bathurst St., TO ~indie; $6

9> SOTC: Say Yes/ Rules/ The Penske File; Midnight Towers; Fallen Heirs @ Bovine Sex Club, 542 Queen St. W., TO ~indie; $

9> Mercuri Project @ Dominion Pub, 500 Queen St. E., TO ~cover Pop Rock

9> King Cuddy; Canyun; LeBarons; Katelyn Molgard @ The Silver Dollar, 486 Spadina Ave., TO ~indie; $

9> Man Made Forest album release; guests Amos The Transparent; Moon Fruits; Last Hologram @ Horseshoe Tavern, 370 Queen St. W., TO ~indie; $10

9> SOTC: NJ Taylor; The Maxwells; The Bandicoots; Macolly’s; FAME @ The Hideout, 484 Queen St. W., TO ~indie; $10

9:30> Talking Out Loud; Tree Museum; The Fallers @ The Cavern Bar, 76 Church St., TO ~indie; $

9:30> SOTC: Bathurst Station; Wolves in the Timber; The Falling; The Reed Effect @ Cameron House (rear), 408 Queen St. W., TO ~indie; $10

9:30> Moonwalks @ Alleycatz, 2409 Yonge St., TO North ~Funk/Soul/R&B; $10

9:45> Joe Bowden Project @ The Rex, 194 Queen St. W., TO ~Jazz; $

9:45> Dee Dee & The Dirty Martinis @ Reservoir Lounge, 52 Wellington St. E., TO ~60s R&B; $

10> Dave Murphy Band @ Orbit Room, 480 College St. TO ~Rock/Funk/R&B; $

10> Melvin-Colacino Blues Band @ Cameron House (front), 408 Queen Street West, TO ~Blues

*10> Homesick featuring tba @ Sneaky Dee’s, 431 College St., TO ~Punk; $5

10> Lindsay Brohan @ Bier Markt Esplanade, 58 The Esplanade, TO ~Pop Rock

9> Boo Radley Project; Waffles Jammers House; Morality Players; Total Runout @ Lee’s Palace, 529 Bloor St. W., TO ~original Rock; $7

10> Take Cover @ Bier Markt King, 600 King St., West, TO ~Pop Rock

10:30> Brian Cober Band @ Grossman’s, 379 Spadina Ave., TO ~Blues

416 - TORONTO EAST

5-7> The Straight 8s @ Castro’s, 2116 Queen St. E., TO East

6-10> BJF: Exodus; KC Roberts & The Live Revolution @ Jimmie Simpson Park Main Stage, 870 Queen St. E., TO East

9> Collective @ Hirut, 2050 Danforth Ave., TO East ~Ethiopian music & dance

\*9> open mic with Matt & Mike @ The Grover Pub, 676 Kingston Rd., TO East

9> Alun Piggins and The Quitters @ Dora Keogh, 141 Danforth Ave., TO East ~Roots-ROck

*9:30> David Macmichael & The $5 Tall Boys @ Relish, 2152 Danforth Ave., TO East ~alt Pop originals and covers

9:30> Wayne Neon & whoever shows up @ Black Swan Tavern, 154 Danforth Ave., TO East

9:30> Tim Bovaconti Band @ Linsmore Tavern, 1298 Danforth Ave., TO East ~Rock/Pop; $5

10:30> The Soulkicks @ Bier Markt Don Mills, 7 O’Neill Rd., TO East ~Pop Rock

416 – TORONTO ETOBICOKE

7:30> Mike Murley Trio @ Old Mill Inn, 21 Old Mill Rd., Etobicoke ~Jazz; min table charge

8> Ozone Baby featuring Phil Naro @ The Rockpile, 5555 Dundas St. W., Etobicoke ~Led Zeppelin tribute; $

9> Angelica @ Blue Goose Tavern, 1 Blue Goose Rd., Etobicoke South ~Pop Rock/Top 40

9> Straight Shooter @ Maple Leaf House, 2749 Lake Shore Boulevard West, Etobicoke ~Rock/Top 40/Blues

9> Oakland Stroke @ Timothy’s Pub, 344 Brown’s Line, Etobicoke South ~Tower of Power tribute; $

9:30> Blues Time @ Refinery Public House, 3039 Lake Shore Blvd. W., Etobicoke ~Blues

10-2> Pop Cherry @ Southside Johnny’s, 3653 Lake Shore Blvd. W., Etobicoke South ~classic 60s & 70s Rock

10> The Milkman & The 2% @ Bier Markt Etobicoke, 199 North Queen St., Etobicoke ~Pop Rock

416 – TORONTO SCARBOROUGH

9:30> Stone Slinger @ McGradie’s, 2167 Victoria Park Ave., Scarborough ~classic Rock/Top 40

8> Canada Rocks @ The Loaded Dog, 1921 Lawrence Ave. E., Scarborough ~Rock/Blues

416 - TORONTO WEST

5-7> Angie Hilts @ The Local, 396 Roncesvalles Ave., TO West ~Folk

5-8> Anthony Dalessa & Avery Cantello Band @ Gate 403, 403 Roncesvalles Ave., TO West ~Blues

7:30> Don Kosub Duo @ Brazen Head Pub, 165 East Liberty St., TO West ~Pop Rock

7:30> Steven Taetz @ Lula Lounge, 1585 Dundas St. W., TO West ~Jazz; no cover

8:30> Three Women & The Truth with Mary Gauthier, Eliza Gilkyson, Gretchen Peters @ Hugh’s Room, 2261 Dundas St. W., TO West ~~original Pop; $32.50

9-1> Sean Bellaviti Latin Jazz Trio @ Gate 403, 403 Roncesvalles Ave., TO West ~Latin Jazz

9> Grey; Water ep release @ Smiling Buddha, 961 College St., TO West

9> Big Frasier album release show; guests Big Lonely; Jonesin’ and the Hurt @ Junction City Music Hall, 2907 Dundas St. W., TO West ~indie; $7

9> The Wanted @ The Local, 396 Roncesvalles Ave., TO West ~Americana

9> Nasty World @ Holy Oak Café, 1241 Bloor St. W., TO West ~

9:30> Janey Whiteway @ Amico’s Pizza, 1648 Queen St. W., TO West ~Roots/Blues songwriter

9:30> Jonathan Billings Band @ Axis, 3048 Dundas St. W., TO West

10-2> The Mercenaries @ Dakota Tavern, 249 Ossington Ave., TO W. ~retro Rock/Soul

10> Charangón Nortre @ Lula Lounge, 1585 Dundas St. W., TO West ~Cuban Salsa; $15

10> Binary Funk @ 3030 Dundas West, 3030 Dundas St. W., TO West

519

8> Ragwax @ Fionn MacCool’s Kitchener, 4287 King St. E., Kitchener ~Pop

705

*5-7> Evangeline Gentle & Einmhin Gentle @ The Garnet, 231 Hunter St. W., Peterborough ~acoustic duo

8:30> Lindsay Barr Band @ Black Horse Pub, 452 George St. N., Peterborough

9> Jim Longo & Jerome Tucker @ The Huron Club, 94 Pine St., Collingwood ~Blues

9> Run Coyote; Stonetrotter; Her Suit @ The Spill, 414 George St. N., Peterborough ~indie

9:30> The Stephanie Gregg Band @ Sticky Fingers Dunlop, 150 Dunlop St. W., Barrie

10> Isle of Ease; Places Erupt @ The Garnet, 231 Hunter St. W., Peterborough

905 EAST

8> Rob @ Simcoe Blues & Jazz, 926 Simcoe St. N., Oshawa

9> Steel City @ The Corral, 433 Simcoe St. S., Oshawa ~Country Rock

*9:30> Karaoke with Rob MacArthur & Lorraine @ Royal Canadian Legion #322, 112 Hunt St., Ajax

9:30> Rock Asylum @ The Edge, 250 Bayly St., Ajax ~Rock

10-2> Something Extra @ Whisky John’s, 843 King St. W., Oshawa

905 NORTH

8:30> Fat Cat Jamboree @ Lake Simcoe Arms, 21089 Dalton Rd., Jackson’s Point

9:30> Urban Sky @ Jake’s Boathouse Brampton, 59 First Gulf Rd., Brampton ~Pop Rock

9:30> Full Tilt @ Oscar’s Roadhouse, 1785 Queen St. E., Brampton ~Top 40/Rock

*9:30> open mic @ Big Daddy’s, 460 Elgin Mills Rd., E, Richmond Hill

10> North of Seven @ Aw Shucks, 15230 Yonge St., Aurora ~Pop Rock

905 – SOUTH

6:30> Ferguson Young with Liam McGlashon @ Corktown Pub, 175 Young St., Hamilton

7:30-10:30> Little Peter and the Elegants @ Niagara Falls History Museum, 5810 Ferry St., Niagara Falls, ON ~50s/60s Rock ‘n’ Roll; $12

8> Danielle Knibbe Trio; Hanna Bech; Marie Avery @ Artword Artbar, 15 Colbourne St., Hamilton

8> Retro Party Groove @ Pub Fiction, 1242 Garner Rd. W., Ancaster ~Rock/Top 40

9> Honsi; LAL; Quantum Tangle Emay @ Homegrown Hamilton, 27 King William St. Hamilton ~eclectic; $10/pwyc

9> Back N Forth @ Coach & Lantern, 384 Wilson St E., Hamilton ~Rock/Top 40

9> BA Johnson; Puccumber Sasquatch Family Band; Tart Pussy @ This Ain’t Hollywood, 345 James St. N., Hamilton~art Rock; $7

9:15> The Old Winos & guest Katherine Wheatley @ The Old Winery Restaurant, 2228 Niagara Stone Rd., Niagara-On-The-Lake

9:30> Los Chukos @ Corktown Pub, 175 Young St., Hamilton ~indie; $

9:30> Music Prize semi-finals part 2 with 7T8; The Plugs; Run Maggie Run; Glass Ampp @ Stonewalls Hamilton, 339 York Blvd., Hamilton

9:30> Rosevelt @ Doc Magilligan’s Irish Pub, 6400 Lundy’s Lane, Niagara Falls

905 WEST

*5> Adam Ostrosser & Joel Guenther @ Carrigan Arms, 2025 Upper Middle Rd., Burlington ~Pop

*6-9> Reno @ Roc’n Doc’s, 105 Lakeshore Rd. E., Port Credit ~ Blues/Jazz/Pop

8-11:30> The Ballroom Babies @ The Purple Heather, 3600 Dundas St. W., Burlington

9> Bill Wood & The Woodies @ Moonshine Café, 137 Kerr St., Oakville ~Roots-Rock; $

9> The Unruly Gentlemans Club @ Fionn MacCool’s Burlington, 2331 Appleby Line, Burlington ~Pop

9:30> Mike Ferfolia’s Sons of Soul @ Shore Grill, 71 Lakeshore Rd. E., Port Credit ~R&B/Blues

9:30> Infringements @ Cuchulainn’s Irish Pub, 158 Queen St. S., Streetsville-Mississauga ~Pop Rock

9:30> 6 Degrees of Bowie @ Boston Manor, 4460 Fairview Ave., Burlington ~salute to David Bowie; $

9:30> Freedom Train @ Jersey’s Bar, 1450 Headon Rd., Burlington ~Rock/Top 40

9:30> Uprise @ Black Swan Pub Burlington, 4040 Palladium Way, Burlington ~Pop Rock

9:30-11:30> James Clark Jones @ The Purple Heather, 3600 Dundas St. W., Burlington

10> Shawn Brady and The Northern Sons @ Bier Markt Mississauga, 55 City Centre Drive, Mississauga ~original & cover Pop Rock

10-2> Dreamboats @ Roc’n Doc’s, 105 Lakeshore Rd. E., Port Credit ~$

10:15> Love Supreme @ Failte, 201 City Centre Dr., Mississauga ~Pop Rock

10:30> Friday Night Special featuring Annette Haas @ The Dickens, 423 Elizabeth St., Burlington ~Pop Rock

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