Massey Hall was filled with music, laughter and plenty of unexpected moments on September 10, 2026 as Live Loud, presented by Make Music Matter and Matthew Perry House, brought an all-star lineup of Canadian artists together for its second annual benefit concert in support of mental health and substance use health.
Hosted by award-winning actress, comedian and musician Lauren Ash, the evening moved seamlessly between high-energy performances, intimate acoustic moments, witty banter and personal stories, creating a show that was as unpredictable as it was celebratory.
“Throughout the evening, I was struck and humbled by how these iconic artists from every genre created a feeling of home in the room. Performers and audience were bound together by our shared belief in art as medicine, unapologetically using our collective megaphone to shout that we’re not going to be quiet about the importance of mental health anymore,” said Darcy Ataman, founder and CEO of Make Music Matter.
The evening opened on an emotional note, with Hill Kourkoutis joining Damhnait Doyle for a moving, stripped-down performance. From there, the energy quickly shifted as Fefe Dobson took the stage, commanding the room with a high-energy performance before surprising the audience with a cover of Hole’s “Celebrity Skin.” The evening’s host, Lauren Ash, clearly a longtime fan, took a moment to share her excitement from the stage.
Rather than feeling like a collection of individual performances, the night unfolded as one cohesive celebration, with artists joining one another on stage, sharing stories and creating unexpected musical moments. Todd Morse of The Offspring, along with Cone McCaslin and Dave Baksh of Sum 41, delivered one of the night’s biggest bursts of rock energy before being joined by Menno Versteeg of Hollerado and Hill Kourkoutis, turning the performance into one of the show’s most memorable collaborations.
The evening also made space for quieter, more vulnerable moments. Matthew Perry’s brother, Will Morrison, stripped things back with a moving ballad, while Versteeg and Julian Taylor each delivered intimate acoustic performances that offered the audience a chance to connect with the music.
The Washboard Union brought their special brand of heartfelt country energy and three-part harmonies to the room with a pair of performances that had the audience singing along, and Canadian hip-hop Hall of Famer Maestro Fresh Wes followed with a set that celebrated his enduring place in the country’s music landscape, getting the room on its feet and adding another burst of energy to the night.
Bif Naked brought vulnerability directly into the audience with a moving reflection on how you never truly know who may be struggling — whether it is someone you know, the person standing beside you, or even someone working the coat check. She then led the room through a collective moment of self-affirmation, encouraging the audience to repeat: “I love myself today. I’m cool. I’m calm. I’m gonna be okay,” before launching into her performance of “I Love Myself Today.”
As the night came to a close, The Strumbellas brought the full band back to the stage for the finale, closing with their hit “Spirits” and the striking refrain, “I got guns in my head and they won’t go. Spirits in my head and they won’t go.” In a room gathered to support mental health and substance use health, the words took on particular weight, speaking to the struggles many people carry privately. By the final notes, the audience was singing along and on its feet, bringing the artists and crowd together in a moment of collective connection and unity.
The evening also featured performances from Aysanabee, Tim Hicks, Crown Lands and Michie Mee, alongside artists who helped bring the event together behind the scenes. Aaron Solowoniuk of Billy Talent DJ’d the VIP reception, while Sekou Lumumba of Big Wreck joined the house band for the evening.
“Thank you to everyone who brought their incredible talent to such a remarkable night. There was joy in the room. There was love. And there was Matthew,” said Caitlin Morrison, executive director of Matthew Perry House.
The audience was also invited to take part in a silent auction featuring exclusive items, including instruments signed by all of the evening’s performers, with proceeds supporting both organizations.
The second annual Live Loud built on the momentum of the inaugural 2025 event, continuing a partnership between Matthew Perry House and Make Music Matter. All proceeds from the event are shared equally between the two organizations, supporting their ongoing work in mental health, substance use health, recovery and community-based support.
Photographer Sylvia Connors covered the concert, along with the red carpet festivities, for SWOMP. CHeck out out her photo below and follow her on Instagram at @bydawnlightphotography.
Live Loud – Red Carpet
Live Loud – Performance
