Michael Kiwanuka in Toronto September 2024

Michael Kiwanuka brings his Switchfoot tour to Toronto in September 2024.

Queen Elizabeth Theatre– Michael Kiwanuka found a lively crowd in Toronto ahead of his tour with Switchfoot. The line outside the venue was only a small sign of the buzzing energy that waited within. The well-nominated English singer/ songwriter made his return trip to the Great North on September 25, 2024.

Basia Bulat

Basia Bulat, a Canadian singer/ songwriter born and raised in Toronto, opened the show. All alone on the stage, she brought the audience’s attention into focus, everyone slowing just barely to listen. Her multitude of string instruments created a lilting tune that pulled every eye towards her. She told stories, both through her music and through her conversations with the audience. Reminiscing on her time in Toronto, and letting people know that her family, some of her biggest supporters were there to watch that night.

While her music tends to favour soft folk ballads, she doesn’t necessarily shy away from angst and anger-driven hits that resonate in your heart. There is something fresh and nostalgic about her style; like a song playing on a crackling vinyl in the next room. The way she writes songs and the way she pulls notes from somewhere deep within harmonise beautifully with her clear melodic voice. The essence of her songs so perfectly suited her subdued but captivating performance.

Michael Kiwanuka

When it was time for Michael Kiwanuka to take the stage, the Brit was reserved but soulful, jumping into his first song of the night ‘Lowdown, part 1’. It was his first single in a few years and came out ahead of his new album, ‘Small Changes’ on November 15th 2024. As he moved through his set, the crowd grew more and more attentive, not that they had a choice, between his hypnotic voice and his expertly crafted backing band. He played old favourites, and new eye-catchers, all the while showing his gratitude and love for the Canadian fans that show up time and time again for him. The last show he played in Toronto was at Rebel, to a sold-out crowd in 2020, before the world took a long long pause. It was great to see him back again, with new music and new inspiration ready and eager to continue his upward trajectory. 

They played a small encore, which was something that was decided on the fly, ‘Hard to Say Goodbye’ from his album Kiwanuka followed up his very well-received song ‘Love and Hate’. We’ll likely see encores becoming a more common part of his set on his upcoming tour, which up until recently was not always the case.

Closing

As the night came to a close and the audience began to file out, you could feel the delighted hum of the audience and their buzz about the show was infectious.
Contact Us

© Hidden Beats Corp. All Rights Reserved 2020