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Toronto’s indie music scene has been through a lot in the past 25 years, but one thing has remained a constant: Wavelength’s Winter Festival.
This Feb. 27 to Mar. 1, Wavelength Winter Festival 2025 is back and bigger than ever to mark 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 know needed.
What you need to know about Wavelength’s Winter Festival
The festival kicks off Thursday night with a stacked lineup that definitely isn’t short on range. Local punk powerhouse The OBGMs are set to headline alongside Toronto rap artist pHoenix Pagliacci, who will perform her new solo album titled ‘Dichotomy’ live for the first time.
Also on the bill: the haunting sounds of Bonnie Trash with her brand of “gothic drone rock.” And because no night is complete without a DJ, Cadence Weapon will be on the boards for the night.
Night two on Friday splits the party into two floors. Upstairs, you’ve got jangly indie-pop heroes Ducks Ltd., dream-pop artist Tallies, and the sounds of Montreal’s Alex Nicol.
Downstairs? Things get rowdier with Priors, the reunited dance-punk legends controller.controller, and the synth magic of Essie Watts.
Major tip from the organizers: make sure to catch Sadstab, who has an impressive vinyl collection.
The festival wraps up Saturday with a night of musical contrasts that feel quintessentially Wavelength. The one I’m most excited for, Owen Pallett (aka Final Fantasy), will be bringing his usual intricate, emotionally charged stage show (and hopefully plays a lot from his album Heartland).
At the same time, Anishnaabe indie-rock duo Ombiigizi promise an electrifying set upstairs. For the shoegaze fans, Bodywash is here to provide the full soundscape fantasy.
Meanwhile, downstairs, UK-based electro-pop artist Mui Zyu will also perform, joined by the funky synth-pop of 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 as this wild idea to make people pay attention to Toronto’s music scene, and it’s grown into this beautiful community. This year isn’t just a look back—it’s about asking what comes next and continuing to champion the music that moves us.”
If this sounds like a love letter to Toronto’s indie music scene, it’s because it is. For a quarter-century, Wavelength has been a lifeline for emerging artists and fans alike. From its early days as a scrappy weekly showcase to its evolution into a year-round platform for creativity, the organization has helped shape the sound of this city.
What’s especially thrilling this year is the mix of nostalgia and fresh 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, well, 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 yours starting Dec. 6 at DICE.FM.
Wavelength Winter Festival takes place from Feb. 27 to Mar. 1, 2025, at St. Anne’s Parish Hall, 651 Dufferin St.
