World Cup excitement rolls into Victoria Park, Billy Bragg comes to London Music Hall (and yes, we're giving away tickets!), and Betamaxx promises a night of glorious '80s nostalgia. What's not to love?
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Three to consider this week
The Loon recommends:
Canada Celebrates: The FIFA World Cup Comes to London
Betamaxx: An ‘80s Dance Party at Wortley Roadhouse
🎟️Billy Bragg Plays the London Music Hall – Ticket Giveaway!
Canada Celebrates: The FIFA World Cup Comes to London
Saturday, July 4 | Victoria Park | 12:30 – 8:30 PM | FREE
World Cup fever is coming to London—no trip to Toronto required. This Saturday, Victoria Park will transform into a giant soccer celebration as Canada Celebrates rolls into town as part of FIFA’s cross-country celebration. Think of it as a World Cup fan festival dropped right into the heart of the Forest City.
This is an all-day FREE event which will feature soccer-themed activities, food vendors, interactive experiences, and live entertainment throughout the day. There will also be live entertainment throughout the day, hosted by Mike Stubbs, featuring performances by London artists DJ K-VIII and King Cruff.
Importantly, the event will feature two live match screenings:
1:00 PM - Canada vs. Morocco at NRG Stadium in Houston, TX
Canada has been doing SO WELL in the tournament. Should be very fun to watch our home team play this match in a crowd of fellow Londoners.5:00 PM - Paraguay vs. France at Lincoln Financial Field in Philadelphia, PA
The European heatwave has hit North America and Philadelphia is under an extreme heat warning. Temperatures are set to potentially reach 41°C at pitch level. This may give Paraguay’s squad a biological and tactical advantage in these conditions over France. We shall see!
The winners of these Round Two matches will determine which teams advance to the quarter-finals. Cue nail biting here!
Just make sure to bring a water bottle, it looks like it will be a hot one!
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Ticket Giveaway!
Billy Bragg Plays the London Music Hall
Tuesday, July 7, London Music Hall | 7:30 PM | Show is SOLD OUT
The legendary British singer-songwriter, author, and activist Billy Bragg brings his 2026 North American tour to London Music Hall this Tuesday, July 7. Bragg has spent decades proving that protest music can still be funny, tender, romantic, furious, and moving.
From punk-folk anthems to his celebrated Mermaid Avenue collaboration with Wilco, which set unpublished Woody Guthrie lyrics to music (a personal all-time favourite album of mine), his songs have always managed to challenge, comfort, and inspire in equal measure.
I’ve been a Billy Bragg fan for more than 30 years, but I’ve never managed to see him live. I missed his Massey Hall show a few years ago, but it sold out before I got tickets, and I’ve had to listen ever since to friends tell me how incredible it was. So when I heard he was coming to my hometown, I wasn’t taking any chances. I stayed up until midnight to buy tickets the moment they went on sale.
The next day, a younger friend asked why I looked so tired. When I told her I’d stayed up buying Billy Bragg tickets, she laughed and said, “Do you really think it’ll sell out?” Ummm, all my friends will be going and yes, yes I do! Fast forward a few months and my prediction has come true. It seems that the show is indeed SOLD OUT.
But Diana why are you hyping this concert if I can’t go? It’s because The Loon has you covered! We have 2 two tickets to give away to one lucky winner! (value: $59.90 each)
All you need to do is to add a comment to this article and tell us your favourite Billy Bragg song (mine – Help Save the Youth of America), and you’ll be entered into a draw. Winner will be chosen on Monday, July 6!
Good luck—and if you win, I promise you’ll understand why some of us were willing to lose sleep over this concert.
Giveaway Terms: No purchase necessary. One entry per person. Entries close at midnight, Sunday, July 5. Winner will be selected at random from all eligible entries and contacted using the information provided. If the winner cannot be reached or does not respond within 24 hours, another winner may be selected. Prize must be accepted as awarded, is not transferable, and has no cash value. Open to Ontario residents aged 18 or older unless otherwise stated.
Show Details
Billy Bragg with Menno Versteeg of Hollerado opening.
Doors open at 6:30 PM
Show starts at 7:30 PM
Seating is general admission, on a first-come, first-served basis.
Here’s Bragg singing “Levi Stubbs’ Tears” live.
Betamaxx: An ‘80s Dance Party at Wortley Roadhouse
Saturday, July 4, Wortley Roadhouse | 9:00 PM | No cover!
Let’s be honest, there comes a point in every summer when your body decides it’s time to dance to “Take On Me”— whether you planned to or not. Lately, that seems to happen in an elevator or the grocery store, but a better place to dance to A-ha is this Saturday, Betamaxx has you covered.
This London-based band has built a loyal following by recreating the soundtrack of the ‘80s with all the neon-soaked energy you’d hope for. Expect new wave, synth-pop, rock, and guilty pleasures from favourites like Duran Duran, Depeche Mode, Tears for Fears, Blondie, The Cure, and more, all delivered with enough enthusiasm to transport you straight back to the days of MuchMusic, cassette tapes, and Walkmans. Bliss!
This is the kind of show where sitting still becomes increasingly difficult. So, dust off your dancing shoes, and don’t be surprised if you leave humming “One Way or Another” all the way home.
Fair warning, Betamaxx shows are POPULAR. So make sure you go early to get a good spot!
Editor’s note: thanks for all your support
That’s our arts and culture column for this week. We hope you’re finding it valuable and can recommend it to your networks.
Everyone at the Loon sends huge thanks to our second sponsor, Downtown London, and we’re looking forward to highlighting downtown events thanks to that partnership. As always, you will know what’s editorial and what’s an ad, and we will be clear about these relationships.
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Many thanks!
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Hello! If I’d actually added a video embedded like Diana asked (argh, too much too fast) it would have been Never Buy The Sun! (But I can’t win the tickets so nvm.)
We missed out on tickets and I'm kicking myself! It's hard to pick from all my faves on Talking with the Taxman About Poetry but I think I would pick The Marriage. There is something so charmingly subversive about wailing "so drag me to the altar..." 😆