Dragonette with Tiny Sun

When you think of Martina Sorbara, the voice behind Dragonette, you likely think of high-octane, neon-drenched dance floors. You think of the inescapable, chart-topping hook of "Hello," or the infectious, jittery energy of "Pick Up the Phone." But on May 14, 2026, Sorbara is trading the festival stages for the pristine, wood-panelled acoustics of Koerner Hall, and she’s bringing a very different kind of creative firepower with her.

A Collision of Musical Worlds

This isn't a standard Dragonette show. It is the debut of Tiny Sun, a project that feels like a deliberate, fascinating pivot. Sorbara is joined by two heavyweights of the Canadian musical landscape: Jonathan Goldsmith and Don Rooke. If you’ve spent any time watching Canadian cinema, you’ve heard Goldsmith’s work; he is a titan of film composition, known for his ability to weave complex, emotional tapestries. Then there is Don Rooke, the mastermind behind The Henrys, whose slide-guitar-driven, genre-defying sound has earned him a cult following and critical acclaim for decades.

What makes this trio so compelling is the self-imposed constraint: every song must clock in under two minutes. In an era where pop songs are often bloated with unnecessary bridges and extended outros, this project is an exercise in surgical precision. It forces these three distinct artists—the pop powerhouse, the cinematic composer, and the roots-music virtuoso—to distill their ideas down to their absolute essence. Expect something closer to a musical haiku than a radio anthem.

The Venue: Koerner Hall

There is no better place in Toronto for this kind of sonic experiment than Koerner Hall. Located within the Royal Conservatory of Music, this venue is widely considered one of the finest acoustic spaces in the world. Its soaring, light-filled atrium and warm, intimate seating mean that every nuance of Sorbara’s voice and every subtle texture from Rooke’s guitar will be perfectly preserved. It’s a space that demands focus from the audience, which is exactly what this project requires. You aren't here to dance; you are here to listen.

Making a Night of It in The Annex

Koerner Hall sits right at the edge of The Annex, one of Toronto’s most charming and intellectually vibrant neighbourhoods. Before the show, skip the chain restaurants and head over to Bloor Street West. If you’re looking for a pre-show bite, check out some of the local institutions. For something quick but elevated, the area is packed with authentic Korean spots that have defined the Bloor-Christie corridor for years. If you have time for a drink, grab a seat at one of the cozy pubs near Spadina or wander a few blocks north into the quiet, tree-lined streets of the neighbourhood to soak in the Victorian architecture that makes this part of the city so distinct.

Good to Know

• **Tickets:** Prices range from $55 to $100. Given the prestige of the venue and the unique nature of this collaboration, these will move faster than a standard club show. Book through the Royal Conservatory of Music’s official site.
• **Getting There:** The venue is steps away from Museum Station on Line 1 (Yonge-University). If you’re driving, there are several paid parking lots in the area, but given the proximity to the subway, public transit is your best bet to avoid Bloor Street traffic.
• **Etiquette:** Because Koerner Hall is an acoustic marvel, it is also a very "live" room. Even the smallest sounds—like opening a candy wrapper or whispering—carry. Come prepared to be an active, quiet listener; the performers will appreciate it, and so will your seatmates.