Toronto's indie music scene has been through a lot in the last 25 years, but one thing has remained a constant: Wavelengths Winter Festival.
From February 27th to March 1st, the Wavelength Winter Festival 2025 is back and bigger than ever to celebrate its silver anniversary. With 16 acts over three nights at St. Anne's Parish Hall, this is the indie music party I didn't know I needed.
What you need to know about Wavelength's Winter Festival
The festival starts on Thursday evening with a well-filled line-up that definitely doesn't lack coverage. Local punk powerhouse The OBGMs will be headlining alongside Toronto rap artist pHoenix Pagliacci, who will be performing her new solo album titled Dichotomy live for the first time.
Also on the program: the haunting sounds of Bonnie Trash with her style of “Gothic Drone Rock”. And because no evening is complete without a DJ, Cadence Weapon will be on the boards this evening.
The second night on Friday splits the party into two floors. Above there are the strumming indie pop heroes Ducks Ltd.Dream-pop artist Tallies and the sounds of Montreal's Alex Nicol.
Below? Things get even wilder with Priors, the reunited dance-punk legends controller.controller, and the synthesizer magic of Essie Watts.
Important tip from the organizers: Be sure to check out Sadstab, which has an impressive vinyl collection.
The festival ends on Saturday with a night full of musical contrasts typical of Wavelength. The one I'm most looking forward to Owen Pallett (aka Final Fantasy) will bring his usual complex, emotionally charged stage show (and hopefully play a lot of his album Heartland).
At the same time, Anishnaabe indie rock duo Ombiigizi promises an electrifying performance upstairs. For the shoegaze fans, Bodywash is here to provide the full soundscape fantasy.
Meanwhile, downstairs will also feature UK-based electro-pop artist Mui Zyu, along with funky synth-pop Jane Inc. and experimental vocal artist Erika Angell.
Why this year is special
“The fact that we’re celebrating 25 years is surreal,” says co-founder and artistic director Jonathan Bunce (aka Jonny Dovercourt).
“Wavelength started with this wild idea to make people aware of Toronto’s music scene and has grown into a beautiful community. This year isn't just a look back – it's about asking what's next and continuing to champion the music that moves us.”
If this sounds like a love letter to Toronto's indie music scene, that's because it is. For a quarter of a century, Wavelength has been a lifeline for emerging artists and fans alike. From its beginnings as a scrappy weekly venue to its evolution into a year-round platform for creativity, the organization has helped shape the sound of this city.
What’s particularly exciting this year is the mix of nostalgia and new perspectives. The return of controller.controller and Owen Pallet is a gift for anyone who lived through the 2000s, while rising stars like Mui Zyu and Essie Watts remind us that indie music is alive and constantly evolving.
Ticket information
If you're ready to celebrate 25 years of DIY magic (or just want a reason to dance), tickets are $25 per night or $55 for the weekend. Grab your copy from December 6th on DICE.FM.
The Wavelength Winter Festival will take place February 27 through March 1, 2025 at St. Anne's Parish Hall, 651 Dufferin St.