Head to the Horseshoe for Fucked Up, “the planet’s best band”

Head to the Horseshoe for Fucked Up, “the planet’s best band”

(Image: Brendan George Ko)

Metalhead or not, it’s not hard to understand why Harper’s recently described Fucked Up as “currently the planet’s best band.” There’s the energy: shirtless frontman Damian Abraham growling, jumping and hugging his way through lengthy live sets. There’s the acclaim: the group’s 2009 album, David Comes to Life, won the Polaris Music Prize, and its latest, Glass Boys, has been widely praised. And, of course, there’s the music: ambitious, unpredictable, unapologetically loud and undeniably smart. Toronto fans will have an opportunity to see for themselves this weekend, when the Toronto hardcore six-piece plays back-to-back shows at the Horseshoe. Local feminist art rockers Vag Halen will open the sold-out Friday show, and Alvvays (whom we’ve recommended previously) will play the Saturday matinee. Either performance would be an excellent—if slightly sweaty—primer for the arts-and-culture mayoral debate Abraham is set to moderate two days later.

Fri. Sept. 26 and Sat. Sept. 27. $15. Horseshoe Tavern, 370 Queen St. W., 416-598-4226, horseshoetavern.com.