This week, Toronto’s revered indie-music series, Wavelength, celebrates its 12th anniversary with a four-day festival (Feb. 16–19). The institution—which ended its weekly run in 2010—may be getting older, but its radness stays the same age. We take a look back at some highlights.
Feb. 13, 2000 First ever Wavelength at Ted’s Wrecking Yard, featuring Neck and Mean Red Spiders.
Dec. 17, 2000 Kevin Drew unveils a solo synth and guitar composition under the name John Tesh Jr. and the Broken Social Scene at Ted’s Wrecking Yard.
Feb. 4, 2001 Constantines affirm “we like rock music,” in what’s considered their de facto coming-out show as southern Ontario indie-rock flagbearers.
Nov. 4, 2001 Jesse F. Keeler’s noise-rock outfit Femme Fatale helps kick off Wavelength’s Lee’s Palace era.
May 26, 2002 With a move to Sneaky Dee’s, Wavelength settles into what would be its home base for the better part of a decade.
May 9, 2004 Owen Pallett debuts his solo violin wizardry as Final Fantasy.
Nov. 26, 2006 Book launch for uTOpia Vol. II: The State of the Arts, which was co-edited by Wavelength co-founder Jonny Dovercourt.
Feb. 8, 2007 Panel discussion “Diversity: Our Strength?” introduces many of the ideas the music community is still grappling with today.
Feb. 10–14, 2010 Wavelength 500 festival, featuring O.G. performers like Holy Fuck, Fembots and the Hidden Cameras, marks the end of the weekly series.
Summer 2010 ALL CAPS! all-ages festival moves to Toronto Island.
April 9, 2011 Fucked Up play a live soundtrack to silent movie West Of Zanzibar in a Wavelength/Images Festival co-production.
Wavelength’s 12th anniversary festival runs Feb. 16–19 at various venues. See wavelengthtoronto.com for tickets and info.
