Massey Hall will welcome back a core part of its musical history next year as The Lightfoot Band prepares to perform a full evening of Gordon Lightfoot’s celebrated catalogue. The concert, scheduled for Nov. 21, 2026, marks a continuation of the venue’s long-standing connection to Lightfoot and the musicians who helped shape his sound on stage and in the studio.
BC Fiedler and Massey Hall announced the event on Monday, positioning it as both a tribute performance and a continuation of the legacy built by one of Canada’s most influential songwriters. Tickets go on sale Dec. 5 at 10 a.m. ET through the Massey Hall box office and website.
For Massey Hall, the booking underscores the venue’s historical ties to Lightfoot. The members of The Lightfoot Band performed alongside him more than 170 times on the Allan Slaight Stage — the most performances by any artist in the hall’s 131-year history. The group also toured extensively with Lightfoot across North America and overseas, participating in the recording of many of his best-known hits.
According to the announcement, “Massey Hall proudly presents the The Lightfoot Band performing the songs of Gordon Lightfoot on Saturday, November 21, 2026.” The performers scheduled to take the stage include longstanding bandmates Rick Haynes on bass, Barry Keane on drums and percussion, Mike Heffernan on keyboards, and Carter Lancaster on lead guitars. The lineup also features a newer addition: Andy Mauck, introduced to the band in 2024, joining on vocals and six- and 12-string rhythm guitar.
Together, the musicians aim to deliver a curated selection of Lightfoot’s most enduring songs, from chart-topping hits such as Sundown, If You Could Read My Mind, Carefree Highway, and The Wreck of the Edmund Fitzgerald, to album tracks that have not been performed live in decades. The program is designed to highlight both familiar favourites and deeper cuts cherished by long-time fans.
Beyond the music, the band plans to incorporate elements of storytelling, offering audiences insight into Lightfoot’s touring years and the history behind key recordings. The release notes that “Band members will relate some history and ‘stories of the road’ and will be available to meet the audience after shows in the lobby area.” That added component underscores the group’s intention to create a more personal connection with fans, many of whom followed Lightfoot’s career over a span of more than half a century.
From a business perspective, the concert is poised to draw significant demand. Lightfoot’s death in 2023 prompted a resurgence of interest in his work, with streaming of his catalogue rising sharply and tribute events across the country selling out. The deep association between The Lightfoot Band and Massey Hall, combined with the hall’s own restoration and renewed programming strategy, positions the 2026 performance as a likely marquee event within Toronto’s live-music calendar.
The show also fits within Massey Hall’s broader approach of highlighting artists and ensembles tied to the venue’s heritage. As the hall continues expanding its lineup following major renovations completed in 2021, legacy-based programming has played a significant role in reinforcing the brand’s identity as a home for Canadian musical history.
While the announcement did not include details on potential additional tour dates, the involvement of BC Fiedler suggests the possibility of broader engagement. Even so, the Massey Hall appearance is expected to serve as the symbolic centrepiece, given the venue’s historic relationship with Lightfoot and his band.
Tickets for the November 2026 performance will be available starting Dec. 5 through www.masseyhall.com/tickets or by phone at 416-872-4255. With a blend of nostalgia, musicianship and storytelling, the event aims to celebrate the legacy of Gordon Lightfoot by bringing his music back to the stage where it has long resonated most deeply.
