Now that it's December, holiday music is likely ringing throughout stores and other establishments. To avoid the bah humbug spirit this can sometimes encourage, cleanse your ears with some less festive tunes by catching a good show. You've got plenty of options between December 4 and 10, with some choice listings below in our Can't Miss Concerts roundup. Plenty more options can be found in our complete Concert Listings.
Alvvays
With their eponymous debut dropping earlier this year to hard-earned critical acclaim, this Toronto indie pop quintet are likely appearing on various year-end lists as you're reading this. As the cold takes over, the beachy-keen sounds of Alvvays serve as a cozy reminder of warmer times.
12/05 Edmonton, AB – The Starlite Room
12/06 Calgary, AB – The Gateway
12/09 Saskatoon, SK – Amigo's Cantina
12/10 Winnipeg, MB – The Park Theatre
Buzz Records Christmas Party
People often talk about "buzz bands," as in bands that are riding waves of hype; artists on Buzz Records' roster can refer to themselves as "Buzz bands" literally. Of course, it helps their cause that they're deserving of the hype thrown at them. The label had a huge year in 2014, with Greys' If Anything, Odonis Odonis' Hard Boiled Soft Boiled, Weaves' self-titled EP, the Beverleys' EP and a seven-inch by Dilly Dally all coming out. Don't miss a chance to see all the aforementioned bands together before they're all too big to play a little holiday shindig like this.
12/06 Toronto, ON – The Garrison
Heavy Trip First Birthday Showcase
It's very unlikely many people remember their first birthday, but Heavy Trip are doing their best to make sure no one can forget theirs. The "booking. management. trippin'" crew are bringing in associated artists Alaclair Ensemble, Duchess Says, Chocolat and Solids to play, with Kenlo Craqnuques and Raw Love set to DJ. It makes the messy cake that was likely the highlight of many first birthdays seem pitiful in comparison.
12/04 Montreal, QC – Piccolo Rialto
Johnny Marr
Johnny Marr wants everyone to shut up about "The Smiths reformation." Rather than just telling you, the legendary guitarist is showing you why you should be paying attention to his solo material instead. Playing songs off Playland and The Messenger will prove that Marr never needed anyone other than himself to craft a memorable song. Although word is he throws a few Smiths classics in, anyway.
12/04 Calgary, AB – Republik
12/06 Victoria, BC – Sugar Nightclub
12/07 Vancouver, BC – Commodore Ballroom
Lydia Ainsworth
Given her tenure as a composer of film scores, Lydia Ainsworth has a strong grasp on emotions, as the accompanying music of any scene must match and accentuate the mood on the screen. Now freed from any script-imposed guidelines, Ainsworth is separating Right From Real, with her eerily catchy pop music placing her firmly in the latter category.
12/05 Toronto, ON – The Drake Hotel
Phantogram
Phantogram may have blown up in part thanks to features with the Flaming Lips and Big Boi, but live, they use their own Voices. The duo bring in two additional musicians live, which Phantogram insist brings their show to the next level. See them live to see what they mean.
12/04 Montreal, QC – Metropolis
12/05 Toronto, ON – Sound Academy
12/06 London, ON – London Music Hall
12/09 Winnipeg, MB – Garrick Centre
12/10 Saskatoon, SK – Louis' Pub
White Lung
What makes White Lung so impressive isn't the unhinged fury that characterizes so many punk bands. Rather, it's the nuances on Deep Fantasy, an album challenging enough to be considered punk but catchy enough to appeal to fans of other music. Catch their blistering show in their original hometown, Vancouver, and Victoria this week.
12/05 Vancouver, BC – Electric Owl
12/06 Victoria, BC – Lucky Bar
For more shows headed your way, click over to Exclaim!'s Concert Listings.
Alvvays
With their eponymous debut dropping earlier this year to hard-earned critical acclaim, this Toronto indie pop quintet are likely appearing on various year-end lists as you're reading this. As the cold takes over, the beachy-keen sounds of Alvvays serve as a cozy reminder of warmer times.
12/05 Edmonton, AB – The Starlite Room
12/06 Calgary, AB – The Gateway
12/09 Saskatoon, SK – Amigo's Cantina
12/10 Winnipeg, MB – The Park Theatre
Buzz Records Christmas Party
People often talk about "buzz bands," as in bands that are riding waves of hype; artists on Buzz Records' roster can refer to themselves as "Buzz bands" literally. Of course, it helps their cause that they're deserving of the hype thrown at them. The label had a huge year in 2014, with Greys' If Anything, Odonis Odonis' Hard Boiled Soft Boiled, Weaves' self-titled EP, the Beverleys' EP and a seven-inch by Dilly Dally all coming out. Don't miss a chance to see all the aforementioned bands together before they're all too big to play a little holiday shindig like this.
12/06 Toronto, ON – The Garrison
Heavy Trip First Birthday Showcase
It's very unlikely many people remember their first birthday, but Heavy Trip are doing their best to make sure no one can forget theirs. The "booking. management. trippin'" crew are bringing in associated artists Alaclair Ensemble, Duchess Says, Chocolat and Solids to play, with Kenlo Craqnuques and Raw Love set to DJ. It makes the messy cake that was likely the highlight of many first birthdays seem pitiful in comparison.
12/04 Montreal, QC – Piccolo Rialto
Johnny Marr
Johnny Marr wants everyone to shut up about "The Smiths reformation." Rather than just telling you, the legendary guitarist is showing you why you should be paying attention to his solo material instead. Playing songs off Playland and The Messenger will prove that Marr never needed anyone other than himself to craft a memorable song. Although word is he throws a few Smiths classics in, anyway.
12/04 Calgary, AB – Republik
12/06 Victoria, BC – Sugar Nightclub
12/07 Vancouver, BC – Commodore Ballroom
Lydia Ainsworth
Given her tenure as a composer of film scores, Lydia Ainsworth has a strong grasp on emotions, as the accompanying music of any scene must match and accentuate the mood on the screen. Now freed from any script-imposed guidelines, Ainsworth is separating Right From Real, with her eerily catchy pop music placing her firmly in the latter category.
12/05 Toronto, ON – The Drake Hotel
Phantogram
Phantogram may have blown up in part thanks to features with the Flaming Lips and Big Boi, but live, they use their own Voices. The duo bring in two additional musicians live, which Phantogram insist brings their show to the next level. See them live to see what they mean.
12/04 Montreal, QC – Metropolis
12/05 Toronto, ON – Sound Academy
12/06 London, ON – London Music Hall
12/09 Winnipeg, MB – Garrick Centre
12/10 Saskatoon, SK – Louis' Pub
White Lung
What makes White Lung so impressive isn't the unhinged fury that characterizes so many punk bands. Rather, it's the nuances on Deep Fantasy, an album challenging enough to be considered punk but catchy enough to appeal to fans of other music. Catch their blistering show in their original hometown, Vancouver, and Victoria this week.
12/05 Vancouver, BC – Electric Owl
12/06 Victoria, BC – Lucky Bar
For more shows headed your way, click over to Exclaim!'s Concert Listings.
