Broken Social Scene Talk Toronto Roots and RBC Amphitheatre Show

Broken Social Scene, Metric, and Stars have reunited for the North American “All the Feelings” tour, bridging a quarter-century of Toronto indie-rock history. According to band members, the collaborative tour highlights decades of deep personal ties that began when the artists were teenagers attending funded arts programs in the city’s early-2000s music scene.

The Early Toronto Connections and the Etobicoke School of Arts

The roots of these three bands trace back to teenage friendships formed in Toronto. According to Stars co-lead singer Amy Millan, she met Metric lead singer Emily Haines on the first day of Grade 11 at the Etobicoke School of Arts while both were lost looking for music class. Millan met Broken Social Scene co-founder Kevin Drew that same summer and Stars bassist Evan Cranley in Grade 12.

“I think Toronto really was a special place back then, filled with places to go see music, or parks to hang out in,” Cranley told the Star. Cranley noted that he met Jimmy Shaw at age 14, learning to play guitar together in local parks before the musicians formed their respective groups.

From Ambient Experiments to “You Forgot It In People”

Broken Social Scene began as a serene ambient recording project by Kevin Drew and Brendan Canning, resulting in the 2001 release “Feel Good Lost.” According to co-founder Charles Spearin, Drew and Spearin previously worked on an instrumental project called K.C.

“There was an egoless-ness — no ulterior motives besides just the true joy of writing and playing together,” Spearin said. Early jam sessions took place in the kitchen of a Queen Street West home shared by Leslie Feist and musician Peaches, according to accounts from Feist and guitarist Andrew Whiteman, laying the groundwork for the band’s 2002 breakthrough album, “You Forgot It In People.”

Global Success and the Evolution of an Open-Door Collective

Following a rave review from music site Pitchfork, “You Forgot It In People” propelled Broken Social Scene into global touring. According to Brendan Canning, the sudden demand felt like a whirlwind after the music industry had previously chewed up many of the members during the 1990s.

Because members simultaneously maintained primary projects like Metric, Stars, and Feist’s solo career, the collective adopted a flexible lineup. “Broken was always a fluctuating open door — like one of those saloon half-doors that swings in, but also out,” Feist explained to the Star. Over the years, the rotating cast of vocalists expanded to include artists such as Hannah Georgas and Jill Harris.

The “All the Feelings” Tour and New Releases

The “All the Feelings” tour brings the three bands together for 23 dates across North America, culminating in a hometown performance at the RBC Amphitheatre, followed by European dates in the fall. The reunion coincides with spring releases from both Broken Social Scene (“Remember the Humans”) and Metric (“Romanticize the Dive”).

Frequently Asked Questions

When did Broken Social Scene form?

Broken Social Scene was initially started by Kevin Drew and Brendan Canning, evolving into the much larger group it is today, with their breakthrough album, “You Forgot It In People,” released in 2002.

Which bands are performing on the “All the Feelings” tour?

The tour features Broken Social Scene, Metric, and Stars closing out 23 dates across North America and continuing through Europe in the fall.

Who are the primary vocalists associated with Broken Social Scene?

Early vocalists included Leslie Feist, Emily Haines, and Amy Millan, with later iterations featuring artists such as Ariel Engle, Hannah Georgas, and Jill Harris.