The Year in Photos: Our Favourite Concert Memories of 2022

After the concert industry went into hibernation in 2020 and 2021, it exploded back to life in 2022. Following another brief lockdown at the beginning of this year, concerts returned in full force in the spring, keeping fans busy throughout festival season and into the fall.

Even as the touring industry has come under scrutiny in recent months — thanks to poor financial prospects for many independent musicians, as well as chaotic ticket-buying experiences for fans — the year remained an exciting one for the music industry, with many unforgettable shows.

Looking back on this year of ups and downs, we've collected some of our favourite concert memories of 2022, from tiny club shows by up-and-coming bands to main-stage performances by stars.

Alexisonfire
History, April 27
Toronto, ON

Photo: Chris Gee

Luna Li
The Axis Club, April 29
Toronto, ON

Photo: Chris Gee

Sham Family
The Baby G, May 21
Toronto, ON

Photo: Atsuko Kobasigawa

Akintoye
History, May 26
Toronto, ON

Photo: Matt Forsythe

Haleluya Hailu
Music Waste, June 4
Vancouver, BC

Photo: Jean-Michel Lacombe

Alessia Cara
Ottawa Bluesfest, July 7
Ottawa, ON

Photo: Ming Wu

NYSSA
The Great Hall, July 7
Toronto, ON

Photo: Stephen McGill

Jessia
Ottawa Bluesfest, July 8
Ottawa, ON

Photo: Ming Wu

Snotty Nose Rez Kids
FVDED in the Park, July 8
Surrey, BC

Photo: Joshua Grafstein

Rage Against the Machine
Ottawa Bluesfest, July 15
Ottawa, ON

Photo: Ming Wu

Allison Russell
Hillside, July 22
Guelph, ON

Photo: Atsuko Kobasigawa

Zaki Ibrahim
Sappyfest, July 29
Sackville, NB

Photo: Stephen McGill

Turnstile
Osheaga, July 29
Montreal, QC

Photo: Kamara Morozuk

Orville Peck
Massey Hall, August 9
Toronto, ON

Photo: Matt Forsythe

Cadence Weapon
Polaris Music Prize Gala, September 22
Toronto, ON

Photo: Jennifer Hyc

Pierre Kwenders
Polaris Music Prize Gala, September 22
Toronto, ON

Photo: Jennifer Hyc

MUNA
Phoenix Concert Theatre, September 22
Toronto, ON

Photo: Stephen McGill

Denzel Curry
REBEL, September 28
Toronto, ON

Photo: Stephen McGill

R. Flex
Venusfest, October 16
Toronto, ON

Photo: Atsuko Kobasigawa

Starcrawler
Adelaide Hall, November 4
Toronto, ON

Photo: Atsuko Kobasigawa

The Smile
Massey Hall, November 26
Toronto, ON

Photo: Stephen McGill

Broken Social Scene
History, December 17
Toronto, ON

Photo: Matt Forsythe