@IhateBenRayner profile picture
Benjamin Rayner @IhateBenRayner

Writes and talks about stuff, mostly music and culture. Horror enthusiast. UFO nut. Aging raver. Unlikely outdoorsy type. Absurdly enthusiastic dad. Decent cat.

Joined January 2012
  • Tweets 43,582
  • Following 2,032
  • Followers 7,424
5,459 Photos and videos
Tonight! Tonight! Tonight! "Beloved by Jack White, Toronto band Ichi-Bons helped create a scene." thestar.com/entertainment/mu… via @torontostar

Beloved by Jack White, Toronto band Ichi-Bons helped create a scene. Here’s what’s next for the...

The subject of a new documentary, the group also has a new single and an upcoming gig at the Horseshoe Tavern.

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Wish I could be there for my boys tonight but I am currently staring wistfully into the Atlantic. I shall, however, be there in spirit. It's gonna be a special one.
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I wrote this eons ago. Glad it finally ran. I don't dare read it. thestar.com/opinion/contribu… via @torontostar

Ben Rayner: I could tell he might be trouble. But this is what happened when I talked to that...

Finding common ground is sometimes easier than we think.

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I know the "drug" content made people uncomfortable and was largely excised. But, as most of you know, I fall on the side of decriminalizing all narcotics.
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Mostly I just support treating human beings like human beings.
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Who needs to drop $140 an hour on therapy when they've got a pal like @torontomike? torontomike.com/2025/09/ben-…

Ben Rayner: Toronto Mike'd Podcast Episode 1765

In this 1765th episode of Toronto Mike'd, Mike checks in with Ben Rayner to see how he's dealing with life's curveballs. This episode is exactly 1:06:55. You can listen to this episode in a variety...

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This was fun. I was pretty down yesterday but this cheered me up.
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Benjamin Rayner@IhateBenRayner
28 Aug 2025
The response to this piece has been overwhelming. Thank you for still reading my dumb shit. thestar.com/opinion/contribu… via @torontostar

Ben Rayner: I loved Toronto. I miss it every day. But I am relieved beyond measure that I left

The unaffordability was already killing me. When Ontario Place was razed for a luxury spa, it was time to go.

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Kylie! Kylie! Kylie! thestar.com/entertainment/mu… via @torontostar

Kylie Minogue treats Toronto to a big dance party with a fabulous, confetti-spewing show

As usual, Minogue set the bar very high for everyone else with her Scotiabank Arena show.

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Apparently the phrase "big gay dance party" was deemed to offensive for the general public coz it was repeatedly excised from my original copy. But I'll take their money.
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Benjamin Rayner@IhateBenRayner
14 Dec 2024
Tonight! Tonight! Tonight! thestar.com/entertainment/mu…

Losing a band member was traumatic for Valley — but instead of just moping around they made an...

"The only logical steps after that were either quit or put it all into a record," says frontman Rob Laska.

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Tonight! Tonight! Tonight! And for the next three nights! Godspeed, @TokyoPoliceClub. You are loved. thestar.com/entertainment/mu… via @torontostar

This really is the end for Tokyo Police Club — ‘It’s not a feint. We’re not trying to deke everyb...

“We’re not trying to deke everybody out and then cash in on the lucrative reunion market” says keyboardist Graham Wright as band plays its final four shows.

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Also I never read the "comments" appended to stuff I write but the wanker who posted "local band with one good song calls it quits" can go fuck himself. Or share with us the catalogue of timeless hits he's contributed to pop history over the past 20 years.
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"No one else's joy will ever match the satisfaction I get from my impenetrable Jandek collection."
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Tonight! Tonight! Tonight! thestar.com/entertainment/mu… via @torontostar

Sofi Tukker bring their Eurodance cheese and coy pansexual joy to Toronto: ‘We’re excitable people...

New York-based duo Sophie Hawley-Weld and Tucker Halpern play History on Saturday.

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Last night was AMAAAAZING. We looooove @sofitukker. Just a beautiful big gay dance party.
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Benjamin Rayner@IhateBenRayner
3 Oct 2024
Yeah,I'll force myself to write when old pals like Stars are involved. See y'all at Friday's show... thestar.com/entertainment/mu… via @torontostar

‘We share the pain and we share the victories’ — the band Stars celebrates the 20th anniversary of...

The Toronto by way of Montreal group plays the newly refurbished Concert Hall Oct. 3 through 5.

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Benjamin Rayner@IhateBenRayner
29 Jun 2024
A guy in a camo hat driving a Dodge Ram with a "FUCK TRUDEAU" flag hanging from the tailgate yelled "Faggot!" at me as I crossed Church St. yesterday. So happy Pride, Toronto. He's why Pride is a thing. But this Kylie- and Carly Rae- and Audrey-lovin' straight boy loves you.
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Benjamin Rayner@IhateBenRayner
21 Jun 2024
Donald Sutherland. Cool customers don't come much cooler than that cool customer. But cool customers from Saint John, NB, are EXTRA-cool customers. What a legit bummer. Godspeed.
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Benjamin Rayner@IhateBenRayner
7 Jun 2024
Saturday! Saturday! Saturday! Looooove the Sophie! Very excited. thestar.com/entertainment/mu…

That naked dance scene in ‘Saltburn’ finally has North America catching on to Sophie Ellis-Bextor

Thanks to that naked dance scene in ‘Saltburn,’ ‘Murder on the Dancefloor’ has finally charted in America and Ellis-Bextor has played her first shows on this continent.

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