Luminato adds Ron Sexsmith tribute to this year’s music-heavy lineup

Luminato adds Ron Sexsmith tribute to this year’s music-heavy lineup

Once more with feeling: the iconic moperocker Ron Sexsmith (Image: Masao Nakagami)

This year is shaping up to be a big one for Toronto singer-songwriter Ron Sexsmith: he’s released a new album, Long Player Late Bloomer, and has embarked upon a relentless tour schedule that included a stop in Toronto at Lee’s Palace back on April 21. He’s also the subject of a film playing at Hot Docs this year, Love Shines, which documents the recording of Sexsmith’s latest album alongside Canadian producer Bob Rock. Now, Luminato is getting in on the fun, with this year’s edition of the Canadian Songbook series on at Massey Hall June 15.

Performing a tribute to Sexsmith will be Broken Social Scene’s Kevin Drew, Garth Hudson of The Band, soprano Measha Brueggergosman, Andy Kim, Ladies of the Canyon and Barenaked Ladies. A Juno award—winner, Sexsmith has made 12 albums throughout his career and counts Elvis Costello, Steve Earle and Kiefer Sutherland among his fans (all three are interviewed in Love Shines). His songs have been recorded by artists such as Feist, Rod StewartEmmylou Harris and k.d. lang (also performing at Luminato this year). Given the already announced concerts by Lang, Joel Plaskett and They Might Be Giants, the festival is starting to give North by Northeast a run for its mid-June musical festival money.

Kevin Drew, Carth Hudson, the Barnaked Ladies to Pay Tribute to Ron Sexsmith at Toronto’s Luminato [exclaim!]