Hi, my name is Sue-Anne Stewart. I’m an Australian singer songwriter from Queensland. This is a tour diary for the AU Review of my trip to Toronto where I showcased at Canadian Music Week 2014. I had a fantastic time and met some awesome people and saw some amazing bands – check out my music on my official website and enjoy my tour diary here:
MONDAY 5th MAY
Arriving in Toronto on Saturday the 3rd of May was great as I had some time to get over my jetlag and get familiar with my new neghbourhood, get my bearings and prepare myself for the CMW… I spent the first few days leading up to the festival checking out the city and connecting with some new friends. I stayed in a great B&B on Spadina Road, which was in a awesome location and was central to everything. The B&B had a great vibe and was nice a homely which was perfect as I was traveling solo.
TUESDAY 6TH MAY
I had my first showcase at the Czehoski with some other great Canadian articts including Steve Rokosh. Laurent Bourque, Cat Thomson + more on the Tuesday night which was awesome way to kick off the Canadian music week.
WEDNESDAY 7th MAY
Was a great day of panels and networking, meeting a whole bunch of new people, attending the Australian meet and greet, met some more friends and stumbled across the Detour Bar in Kensington and watched Sky Wallace and her band. Followed by a night out with The Lazy’s at the Horseshoe Tavern watching Brody Dalle, then onto The Bovine Sex Club.
THURSDAY NIGHT – 8TH MAY
Thursday night was my second showcase at the Canadian Music Week which was the Sounds Gallery – Sounds Australia showcase. It was so great to see all the other Australian acts perform at the Marriott Hotel. I had a great showcase this night in particular, and again meet some lovely new people…
FRIDAY 9TH MAY
Today I had an interview with The Examiner and checked out more amazing music all over town at venues including The Supermarket and Sneaky Dee’s..
SATURDAY 10TH MAY
Today was awesome! What a way to finish the week! The Aussie BBQ at The Horseshoe Tavern was all time! I made it to some panels early and then spent the rest of the afternoon and evening between the Horseshoe Tavern – Rivoli and The Bovine. There was an amazing line up of Australian music – Fairchild – Tully on Tully – Mia Dyason – You am I – The Lazy’s to name a few.. not to mention all the other music on that day/night.
SUNDAY 11TH MAY
Today was a well deserved rest day after such massive days and nights! Then out to Dakota and a few other bars to check out some more music with the lovely Marta Pacek..
MONDAY 12TH MAY
Today was my last full day in Toronto before leaving for Australia and I was lucky enough to have dinner with Mia Dyson and her band, we had the best Ethiopian I’ve ever had on Bloor St, however the photo does no justice for how good it truly was. We were all educated on the proper Ethiopian eating etiquette. We all went for it – eating with our hands. Was a great way to end a massive week!
TUESDAY 13TH MAY
I made a new friend named Moses and dropped some of my albums off to his reggae store in the Kensington market place. This was the great art work on the outside wall. Said goodbye to my new Toronto friends and boarded the plane home. Happy Days x
Big thanks to everyone who helped make it possible for me to make it Toronto for this festival. It was an amazing experience playing the CMW and the Sounds Australia showcase. I met so many awesome people and made some great connections. Look forward to making it back to Toronto soon x
