Toronto launches online concert series to support local artists

To support local artists and lift spirits across the community, the City of Toronto is going digital with its City Hall Live performance program.

In partnership with Unison Benevolent Fund, the city has organized for artists to take their shows online, Monday through Friday from noon to 1 pm, through to the end of June.

Since 2016, local artists have performed on Nathan Phillips Square as part of City Hall Live’s music series, which provides paid performance opportunities for Toronto musicians across all genres.

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To date, City Hall Live has showcased more than 150 local artists, working with numerous Toronto music organizations, festivals and events.

The online series has officially launched via Facebook live, and you can tune in here each weekday to catch two performances daily.

“As we face the challenges of this pandemic together, this is one more way that the municipal government continues to support Toronto’s cultural sector,” Mayor John Tory said in a release. “These performances will help raise donations to support Unison Benevolent Fund’s work to help musicians and music industry workers.”

Over the course of the series, more than 100 local artists will be directly compensated for 30-minute performances from their homes. And, during each performance, viewers can opt to make a donation, 100% of which will support Unison’s work to help musicians and music industry workers.

Toronto-based musicians can apply to be considered for City Hall Live and other City of Toronto Music Office programs here.