Listening Session – Hosted by The Dears, Presented by Polaris Music Prize
Free Listening Session w/ Registration | Sep 13, 4-7 PM | Sounds Good, Toronto
All Ages | Not Accessible
In celebration of 20 years of Polaris Music Prize, we’ve created the Polaris Festival presented by Sirius XM Canada. The Festival is happening throughout September with over 15 events like Salons, Concerts, Listening Sessions, and our Concert & Award Ceremony at Massey Hall. Browse Festival events here.
Register Free to Reserve Your Spot
Join past Polaris Music Prize nominees The Dears at Sounds Good in Toronto for a unique listening session. This special event offers a deep dive into the band’s cinematic catalogue, featuring rare cuts, fan favourites, and exclusive premieres of unreleased music. The Dears will be on hand to share stories, insights, and more.
THE DEARS
Formed in 1995, Montreal-based The Dears released their first, ultra lo-fi album, End of a Hollywood Bedtime Story, in 2000. The orchestral, dark pop sound and dramatic live shows cemented The Dears at the foundation of the then-emerging Canadian indie-rock renaissance. Their live show was described as “the sonic equivalent of seeing the face of god.” In 2003 they released their second full-length album No Cities Left in Canada, and a string of highly anticipated shows at SXSW ‘04 prompted the international release of No Cities Left with Bella Union. Gang of Losers came in 2006, was well received by the press, and was short-listed for the Polaris Music Prize. Their eighth studio album Lovers Rock was released in 2020. In June 2025 the group teased new music with the single “Babe, We’ll Find A Way.”
POLARIS MUSIC PRIZE
Polaris Music Prize is a Canadian charitable arts organization celebrating 20 years of honouring music as art. From June to September 2025, the new Polaris Music Prize Festival brings concerts, salons, and listening sessions to Toronto and across Ontario — culminating in the Polaris Concert & Award Ceremony on September 16 at Massey Hall. Through its Album, Song, and Heritage Prizes, Polaris amplifies Canadian artists based on artistic merit — not genre, sales, or algorithmic popularity. With 700+ artists championed, over $1.4M in prize and artist fees awarded, and a jury of over 200 music critics and curators, Polaris protects space for boundary-pushing music and fosters a deeper national music culture. Learn more at polarismusicprize.ca.
The event is part of the Polaris Music Prize Festival presented by SiriusXM Canada. CBC presents the 2025 Polaris Music Prize. This project is funded in part by FACTOR, the Government of Canada, and Canada’s private radio broadcasters. It is supported by SiriusXM Canada, Ontario Creates, the Government of Ontario, the Ontario Cultural Attractions Fund, and the Slaight Family Foundation.
