MUSIC SERIES – THE BICYCLES/YOUNG RIVAL

(A warm welcome to guest “profiler” Steve Fisher (yes, THE Steve Fisher) from Gracing the Stage … which means SummerWorks, these bands, and now, you, are officially hip)

Day three (Sunday, August 9th!) of the Music Series will feature the rambunctious pop stylings of The Bicycles, who were named “Toronto’s most crush-worthy outfit” in a feature article on Toronto’s music scene by Spin Magazine this spring, and Hamilton, ON’s Young Rival, who’ve toured to acclaim with Born Ruffians.

The Bicycles‘ performance at the Music Series will be their triumphant homecoming show, after an extensive July/August Eastern Canada tour. The Bs have always balanced their rising national star with an unabashed love of playing wide ranging local community events (International Hug Day, the Bicycle Film Festival, BunchRocks, and more); their sunny and melodic tunes have endeared them to an equally wide ranging spectrum of fans.

No strangers they to Toronto’s theatre scene, the Bicycles have played music gigs at festivals like Lab Cab, numerous theatre fundraisers, and even been involved in Fringe shows like last year’s “Heartjob”. They’re also, to our knowledge, the only indie band around town with their own interactive DVD board game.

Hamilton, ON’s Young Rival may seem like newcomers, but that’s just due to a name change; they were formerly known as The Ride Theory.

This new incarnation has had recordings posted on influential music blogs like Pitchfork, You Ain’t No Picasso, and Stereogum, which described their demo as “smoothly dark, refined Zombies-esque pop with a great guitar sound“.

This show will be an important first for both The Bicycles and Young Rival, as the two bands will be touring together in October, so come on out and help them impress each other!