Mississauga Rock Band Set to Host Danforth Benefit Concert

Toronto and the GTA have been rocked by unprecedented acts of violence this year, and residents are still reeling weeks after a gunman, who has been identified as 29-year-old Toronto man Faisal Hussain, opened fire on people in Toronto’s bustling Greektown neighbourhood on Danforth Ave.

Over a dozen people were injured in the attack, and two were killed.

While the tragedy—which claimed the lives of 18-year-old Reese Fallon and 10-year-old Julianna Kozis—is still fresh in the minds of everyone who lives in and outside the city, some local artists are doing something positive in its wake.

Billy Talent, a popular homegrown rock group from Mississauga (Streetsville, to be exact) is about to host a benefit concert at the Danforth Music Hall in Toronto.

The group, which formed in 1993 and consists of band members Benjamin Kowalewicz, Ian D’Sa, Jonathan Gallant and Aaron Solowoniuk, will be headlining the Toronto Together benefit show on Aug. 11.

Thanks for the mention @TorontosMayor . We are just doing what we know how to do best. Put on a rock show and make people smile. https://t.co/zTXySdy0nW

— Billy Talent (@BillyTalentBand) August 1, 2018

As most elder millennials might recall, Billy Talent hit the mainstream in 2003 with the release of their first hit single Try Honesty. The band has released five studio albums, gone on six tours and received multiple awards, including seven Juno awards and a whopping 10 MuchMusic Video Awards.

The band released its most recent album, Afraid of Heights, in 2016.

The show will kick off at 7:00 p.m. and feature performances by Billy Talent, City and Colour, PUP and other local artists.

The concert will help raise money for the victims of the shooting.

The show will be hosted by Indie88 broadcaster Lana Gay.

Anyone interested in donating can do so here.