We here at Exclaim! understand the difficulties of finding the perfect performance. But whether it's powerful-voiced divas, explosive rap duos, or big beat block parties that tickle your fancy, there's something for everyone in this week's edition of Can't Miss Concerts. Read on for our picks for Canada's must-see shows from July 18 to July 24 below.
Beyoncé
While hip-hop hubby Jay-Z preps for a summer tour with Justin Timberlake, Mrs. Carter is taking the opportunity to strike out on the road for an extended world tour, which finds the reigning queen of R&B stopping by Toronto and Montreal. But if you can't snag tickets it to her almost-sold out show on July 21 at the Air Canada Centre, don't worry — Bey will be looping back to Toronto just in time for the holidays on December 16.
7/21 Toronto, ON - Air Canada Centre
7/22 Montreal, QC - Bell Centre
Evolve Festival
Socially aware music festival Evolve has been kicking it with Mother Earth for over a decade, but this year's event promises to be one of the best yet, with performances from the likes of A Tribe Called Red, Pick a Piper, Classified and Australian-folkie Xavier Rudd, who returns to Nova Scotia for the first time in over three years.
7/19-21 Antigonish County, NS - Antigonish County
Run the Jewels
The enigmatic rap tag-team of Killer Mike and El-P (a.k.a. Run the Jewels) continue their decimation of the Canadian landscape with a set at Edmonton's exclusive Starlite Room. Arrive early to catch opening spots from Despot and Kool A.D., and don't forget to download the group's self-titled freelease before the show.
7/24 Edmonton, AB - The Starlite Room
Courtney Love
Courtney Love returns to Canada for a pair of dates at Toronto's historic Danforth Music Hall and Vancouver's Commodore Ballroom. There's no word of any new material from the Hole frontwoman, which means this event should be mostly greatest hits.
7/20 Toronto, ON - Danforth Music Hall
7/22 Vancouver, BC - Commodore Ballroom
Mad Decent Block Party
Urban beat collective Mad Decent hits Calgary this week for a block party featuring the best and brightest from the crew's catalogue. Look out for performances from the likes of Flosstradamus, Zed's Dead and Dillon Francis, as well as a headlining performance from Diplo-directed dance-mongers Major Lazer, who have been known to throw a pretty animated live show.
7/19 Calgary, AB - Prairie Winds Park
Mos Def
Ever-elusive rap prodigy Mos Def heads to Toronto for a one-off spot at the Phoenix Concert Theatre. The Black Star alumnus doesn't tour so much these days, so you may want to catch the MC while you still have the chance.
7/18 Toronto, ON - Phoenix Concert Theatre
Vancouver Folk Music Festival
The Vancouver Folk Music Festival has been treating the BC masses to the finest names in intimate acoustics for over 35 years, and this year is no different. Kathleen Edwards, Steve Earle & the Dukes and Whitehorse will all be making appearances, but the best part of all comes at the end of the weekend, when prolific folkie Loudon Wainwright III will grace the main stage to kick-start Sunday evening's performances.
7/19-21 Vancouver, BC - Jericho Beach Park
You Say Party
BC dance-rock outfit You Say Party have been on a prolonged hiatus since 2011, but recently the group have slowly been easing back into the swing of things, first with a new song earlier this year and now with a special hometown performance at Abbotsford, BC's Reach Gallery Museum. The band are keeping pretty quiet about a new LP, but look out for a rendition of their recent single "Friend" and a cover of OMD's "Misunderstanding," which the group have been messing around with for a while.
7/19 Abbotsford, BC - The Reach Gallery Museum
For more shows headed your way, click over to Exclaim!'s new Concert Listings.
Beyoncé
While hip-hop hubby Jay-Z preps for a summer tour with Justin Timberlake, Mrs. Carter is taking the opportunity to strike out on the road for an extended world tour, which finds the reigning queen of R&B stopping by Toronto and Montreal. But if you can't snag tickets it to her almost-sold out show on July 21 at the Air Canada Centre, don't worry — Bey will be looping back to Toronto just in time for the holidays on December 16.
7/21 Toronto, ON - Air Canada Centre
7/22 Montreal, QC - Bell Centre
Evolve Festival
Socially aware music festival Evolve has been kicking it with Mother Earth for over a decade, but this year's event promises to be one of the best yet, with performances from the likes of A Tribe Called Red, Pick a Piper, Classified and Australian-folkie Xavier Rudd, who returns to Nova Scotia for the first time in over three years.
7/19-21 Antigonish County, NS - Antigonish County
Run the Jewels
The enigmatic rap tag-team of Killer Mike and El-P (a.k.a. Run the Jewels) continue their decimation of the Canadian landscape with a set at Edmonton's exclusive Starlite Room. Arrive early to catch opening spots from Despot and Kool A.D., and don't forget to download the group's self-titled freelease before the show.
7/24 Edmonton, AB - The Starlite Room
Courtney Love
Courtney Love returns to Canada for a pair of dates at Toronto's historic Danforth Music Hall and Vancouver's Commodore Ballroom. There's no word of any new material from the Hole frontwoman, which means this event should be mostly greatest hits.
7/20 Toronto, ON - Danforth Music Hall
7/22 Vancouver, BC - Commodore Ballroom
Mad Decent Block Party
Urban beat collective Mad Decent hits Calgary this week for a block party featuring the best and brightest from the crew's catalogue. Look out for performances from the likes of Flosstradamus, Zed's Dead and Dillon Francis, as well as a headlining performance from Diplo-directed dance-mongers Major Lazer, who have been known to throw a pretty animated live show.
7/19 Calgary, AB - Prairie Winds Park
Mos Def
Ever-elusive rap prodigy Mos Def heads to Toronto for a one-off spot at the Phoenix Concert Theatre. The Black Star alumnus doesn't tour so much these days, so you may want to catch the MC while you still have the chance.
7/18 Toronto, ON - Phoenix Concert Theatre
Vancouver Folk Music Festival
The Vancouver Folk Music Festival has been treating the BC masses to the finest names in intimate acoustics for over 35 years, and this year is no different. Kathleen Edwards, Steve Earle & the Dukes and Whitehorse will all be making appearances, but the best part of all comes at the end of the weekend, when prolific folkie Loudon Wainwright III will grace the main stage to kick-start Sunday evening's performances.
7/19-21 Vancouver, BC - Jericho Beach Park
You Say Party
BC dance-rock outfit You Say Party have been on a prolonged hiatus since 2011, but recently the group have slowly been easing back into the swing of things, first with a new song earlier this year and now with a special hometown performance at Abbotsford, BC's Reach Gallery Museum. The band are keeping pretty quiet about a new LP, but look out for a rendition of their recent single "Friend" and a cover of OMD's "Misunderstanding," which the group have been messing around with for a while.
7/19 Abbotsford, BC - The Reach Gallery Museum
For more shows headed your way, click over to Exclaim!'s new Concert Listings.
