On the smaller and more interesting side of music festivals in Toronto is the Over The Top Festival, heading into its 8th year May 21st-23rd.  Not just music really, the festival features film and theatre events as well.  ‘The music component of the festival will see Toronto debuts for critically acclaimed teen phemons Tiny Masters of Today, Unicorns and Arcade Fire spin-off band Clues, as well as performances by afro beat orchestra Budos Band, harpist Baby Dee, electro punks Think About Life and many more’.  In previous years we caught shows from Chad Van Gaalen and Matt & Kim to name a few.

Over The Top is also serving up a number of Toronto and Canadian film premieres, including Tokyo! Directed in three parts by directors Michel Gondry, Léos Carax, and Bong Joon-ho, Visoneers starring Zach Galifiankis and Don Hertzfeldt’s I Am So Proud of You.  Continuing its foray into theatre, the Over The Top Festival, in conjunction with the Theatre Centre is proud to be involved in the presentation of a number of performances of Michael Rubenfeld and Sarah Stanley’s The Book of Judith. The festival will also present a series of shorts by local playwrights on May 23rd at the Whippersnapper Gallery.

More info here, tickets at Rotate and Soundscapes.

Speaking of this festival, Toronto’s Five Blank Pages will be playing their final show on May 23 at the Mod Club.  As a parting gift they released a new EP, Young Glow, with four new songs.   More info here.