Wondering which live acts are worth seeing this week? As usual, Exclaim! has the answer for you in this week's Can't Miss Concerts, from March 26 to April 1. This week's acts are spread over a number of genres, so you'll be sure to find something in the highlights below. As always, don't forget to head over to our complete Concert Listings for even more.
Ibeyi
Ibeyi is the moniker under which French-Cuban fraternal twin sisters Naomi and Lisa-Kaindé Diaz fuse contemporary R&B flavours and traditional Yoruba chanting to create a distinct sound. The duo will be making a Canadian stopover on their stretch of North American tour dates in support of their recent self-titled debut, out now via XL recordings. Their live performance finds the sisters playing synthesizers and keyboards, alongside the traditional cajón, which complement and add layers of texture to their harmonized voices.
03/26/2015 Montreal, QC – Fairmount Theatre
03/27/2015 Toronto, ON – The Drake Hotel
OK Go
Viral internet sensations OK Go, best known for their creative music videos, are taking their most recent release Hungry Ghosts on a lengthy Canadian tour this month. The band's live performances in the past have found them putting on an exhilarating show, complete with confetti cannons and guitars that shoot lasers. The band's fun-loving demeanour, in combination with their upbeat pop tunes, get crowds on their feet and moving, and these shows will be no exception.
03/27/2015 Calgary, AB – MacEwan Ballroom
03/28/2015 Edmonton, AB – Union Hall
03/29/2015 Saskatoon, SK – Louis' Pub
03/31/2015 Winnipeg, MB – Garrick Centre
The Rural Alberta Advantage
Folk-rock trio the Rural Alberta Advantage are hitting the East Coast this week with a string of shows in support of last year's LP Mended With Gold. The band's performance in Edmonton last year "set the crowd ablaze," showcasing all aspects of the band, from their energetic moments to their slower, more intimate songs.
03/27/2015 Halifax, NS – The Marquee Ballroom
03/28/2015 St. Johns, NL – The Rock House
03/29/2015 St. Johns, NL – The Rock House
Tobias Jesso Jr.
Rising pop star Tobias Jesso Jr. continues his North American tour this week, with a West Coast stop in Vancouver. His soft, crooning piano ballads follow a simple yet effective formula that works just as well live as it does recorded. Memorable chorus hooks are found throughout his latest record Goon, from which you can expect to hear many soulful pieces.
03/30/2015 Vancouver, BC – Electric Owl
Viet Cong
Although Canadian post-punks Viet Cong have recently run into some issues regarding the name of their band, they are carrying on with their world tour in support of their excellent self-titled LP for two dates in British Columbia this week. Our review of their sold out show in Montreal earlier this year found the crowd whipped into a mosh pit as the band played an incredibly tight set featuring a mix of both old and new material.
03/28/2015 Vancouver, BC – The Biltmore Cabaret
03/29/2015 Victoria, BC – Upstairs Cabaret
Will Butler
Known for his work in Arcade Fire, Will Butler is taking his solo material on a world tour over the next few months, stopping in Montreal and Toronto this week. His recently released LP, Policy, takes a slightly different tone from his usual work, incorporating elements of garage rock and new wave, making for a sound and performance that cater to a much more intimate crowd than he regularly plays to. Be sure not to miss this opportunity to see him perform.
03/27/2015 Toronto, ON – Horseshoe Tavern
03/28/2015 Montreal, QC – Bar Le Ritz PDB
03/29/2015 Montreal, QC – Bar Le Ritz PDB
Check out Exclaim!'s complete Concert Listings for even more
Ibeyi
Ibeyi is the moniker under which French-Cuban fraternal twin sisters Naomi and Lisa-Kaindé Diaz fuse contemporary R&B flavours and traditional Yoruba chanting to create a distinct sound. The duo will be making a Canadian stopover on their stretch of North American tour dates in support of their recent self-titled debut, out now via XL recordings. Their live performance finds the sisters playing synthesizers and keyboards, alongside the traditional cajón, which complement and add layers of texture to their harmonized voices.
03/26/2015 Montreal, QC – Fairmount Theatre
03/27/2015 Toronto, ON – The Drake Hotel
OK Go
Viral internet sensations OK Go, best known for their creative music videos, are taking their most recent release Hungry Ghosts on a lengthy Canadian tour this month. The band's live performances in the past have found them putting on an exhilarating show, complete with confetti cannons and guitars that shoot lasers. The band's fun-loving demeanour, in combination with their upbeat pop tunes, get crowds on their feet and moving, and these shows will be no exception.
03/27/2015 Calgary, AB – MacEwan Ballroom
03/28/2015 Edmonton, AB – Union Hall
03/29/2015 Saskatoon, SK – Louis' Pub
03/31/2015 Winnipeg, MB – Garrick Centre
The Rural Alberta Advantage
Folk-rock trio the Rural Alberta Advantage are hitting the East Coast this week with a string of shows in support of last year's LP Mended With Gold. The band's performance in Edmonton last year "set the crowd ablaze," showcasing all aspects of the band, from their energetic moments to their slower, more intimate songs.
03/27/2015 Halifax, NS – The Marquee Ballroom
03/28/2015 St. Johns, NL – The Rock House
03/29/2015 St. Johns, NL – The Rock House
Tobias Jesso Jr.
Rising pop star Tobias Jesso Jr. continues his North American tour this week, with a West Coast stop in Vancouver. His soft, crooning piano ballads follow a simple yet effective formula that works just as well live as it does recorded. Memorable chorus hooks are found throughout his latest record Goon, from which you can expect to hear many soulful pieces.
03/30/2015 Vancouver, BC – Electric Owl
Viet Cong
Although Canadian post-punks Viet Cong have recently run into some issues regarding the name of their band, they are carrying on with their world tour in support of their excellent self-titled LP for two dates in British Columbia this week. Our review of their sold out show in Montreal earlier this year found the crowd whipped into a mosh pit as the band played an incredibly tight set featuring a mix of both old and new material.
03/28/2015 Vancouver, BC – The Biltmore Cabaret
03/29/2015 Victoria, BC – Upstairs Cabaret
Will Butler
Known for his work in Arcade Fire, Will Butler is taking his solo material on a world tour over the next few months, stopping in Montreal and Toronto this week. His recently released LP, Policy, takes a slightly different tone from his usual work, incorporating elements of garage rock and new wave, making for a sound and performance that cater to a much more intimate crowd than he regularly plays to. Be sure not to miss this opportunity to see him perform.
03/27/2015 Toronto, ON – Horseshoe Tavern
03/28/2015 Montreal, QC – Bar Le Ritz PDB
03/29/2015 Montreal, QC – Bar Le Ritz PDB
Check out Exclaim!'s complete Concert Listings for even more
