Without hyperbole, this July 20 Rock the Bells lineup may be the best hip hop bill in history. Yes, tickets are $77 and the venue is poorly located and lacking in ambience, but this is a once in a lifetime line-up. Headlined by A Tribe Called Quest, Nas, Mos Def, De La Soul, and Method Man and Redman, your ears will get rhyme-massaged while your brain grows. Juxtaposing oldschool heroes like Rakim and next generation spitters like Kid Sister and the Cool Kids, Rock the Bells is a survey course in contemporary hip hop history. –S.T.


Do you fancy yourself an industry type? When you go to a concert are you thinking about whether or not the band would fare well on a major label? Do you wonder how music will survive in the age of downloading? If you answered yes to any of these questions, then you'll probably want to register for the Summer Music Conference, a five day event including seminars, workshops, panels, and networking sessions. It starts July 23 and runs until July 27. Now maybe when you wax philosophical about "the biz", people will actually listen rather than rolling their eyes. - R.T.


Ah Wakestock, the event of the year for all surfer douches and bikini ditzes. A veritable bevy of tanned and toned guys and girls downing Bud Light, watching some extreme watersports and saying the word "dude" far more than God ever intended. But the music isn't bad. This year's lineup includes Metric, We Are Scientists, RZA & GZA, Classified, Dillinger Escape Plan, Dragonette, and many many more. July 24 to July 27. Gnarly. Do people still say that, "gnarly"? - R.T.


What is Classical? Does Classical music transcend boundaries? Does it include local variations and updates of the style? Can it still be called "Classical" if it's being played and composed by contemporary musicians? Does the world still exist when we close our eyes? From August 7 to August 10 the Harbourfront Centre serves to answer most, if not all, of these questions with their diverse FREE series of classical performances from a variety of styles and countries. - R.T.