If you've been searching for some top-notch live experiences this week, we've got you covered with this edition of Can't Miss Concerts, from April 2 to 7. The week's highlights include some time-tested veterans alongside up and coming acts, so be sure to read below and then head over to our complete Concert Listings for even more.
The Cat Empire
Australian unit the Cat Empire are set to play a stretch of Canadian dates for the first half of this month, making their way from the West Coast into the Prairies this week. The band's unique take on pop music infuses jazz and world music into catchy, danceable choruses. Their 2013 performance in Victoria found the crowd chanting in unison and dancing along to the band's fun, light-hearted grooves.
04/03/2015 Vancouver, BC – Commodore Ballroom
04/04/2015 Vancouver, BC – Commodore Ballroom
04/05/2015 Edmonton, AB – Winspear Centre
04/07/2015 Calgary, AB – MacEwan Ballroom
Diarrhea Planet
Although their name might evoke some rather unpleasant imagery, Diarrhea Planet play a cheery, upbeat style of garage rock that makes for an energetic and engaging live performance. The Tennessee six-piece have four guitarists amongst them, all of whom are put to good use, creating layers of floating riffs that come together for powerful hooks and verses throughout their songs. Be prepared to hear songs from their most recent EP, Aliens in the Outfield amongst some older songs at their Montreal show this week.
04/02/2015 Montreal, QC – Casa del Popolo
Do Make Say Think
Toronto post-rock mainstays Do Make Say Think will be playing a hometown show this week in honour of their 20th anniversary as a band. It's no surprise that the band are an incredibly tight unit during their live performances, having been together for so long. Employing subtle, airy guitars and warm ambience that is characteristic of their genre, the group create beautiful, flowing instrumental soundscapes that you won't want to miss in a live setting.
04/02/2015 Toronto, ON – Lee's Palace
JEFF the Brotherhood
Psychedelic slacker-rock duo JEFF the Brotherhood are making their way across Canada, playing a number of shows this week. The Orrall brothers are currently touring in support of their recently released LP Wasted On The Dream, which finds them combining pop hooks and instrumental breaks, keeping their sound varied. The duo's live performance is kinetic, as they captivate crowds with only two people on stage.
04/02/2015 Victoria, BC – Lucky Bar
04/03/2015 Vancouver, BC – Biltmore Cabaret
04/04/2015 Kelowna, BC – Habitat
04/05/2015 Calgary, AB – The Palomino (Main Floor)
04/06/2015 Edmonton, AB – Pawn Shop
04/07/2015 Saskatoon, SK – Amigo's Cantina
Ghostface Killah
Hip-hop legend and Wu-Tang Clan member Ghostface Killah will be performing in Ottawa and Toronto this week. The renowned rapper has been busy of late, releasing his recent collaboration Sour Soul with Toronto natives BADBADNOTGOOD earlier this year, as well as his most recent solo effort 36 Seasons. The latter is a comic book-rap concept project from which you can expect to hear many narrative-weaving tracks at his shows this week. Be sure not to miss out when he drops by your neighbourhood.
04/02/2015 Ottawa, ON – Ritual
04/05/2015 Toronto, ON – The Opera House
Wacken Metal Battle – Toronto
Playing the Wacken Open Air Festival is the aspiration of many a fledgling metal band, and the Wacken Metal Battle affords one Canadian band the opportunity to do just that. The final qualifying round takes place this week in Toronto, showcasing a number of heavy acts, so be sure to go check out some local unsigned heavy hitters like Last Of A Dying Breed and Black Absinthe.
04/03/2015 Toronto, ON – The Rivoli
XXYYXX
XXYYXX, a.k.a. 19-year-old experimental producer Marcel Everett, is making a Toronto stopover this week on his North American trek. Blending lo-fi vocal samples into bass-heavy beats, XXYYXX manages to weave together an intricately textured sound that ebbs and flows from ambient to more abrasive moments. His live set features a mix of materials, often drawing from his self-titled album released in 2012.
04/03/2015 Toronto, ON – The Hoxton
Find even more great shows in Exclaim!'s Concert Listings
The Cat Empire
Australian unit the Cat Empire are set to play a stretch of Canadian dates for the first half of this month, making their way from the West Coast into the Prairies this week. The band's unique take on pop music infuses jazz and world music into catchy, danceable choruses. Their 2013 performance in Victoria found the crowd chanting in unison and dancing along to the band's fun, light-hearted grooves.
04/03/2015 Vancouver, BC – Commodore Ballroom
04/04/2015 Vancouver, BC – Commodore Ballroom
04/05/2015 Edmonton, AB – Winspear Centre
04/07/2015 Calgary, AB – MacEwan Ballroom
Diarrhea Planet
Although their name might evoke some rather unpleasant imagery, Diarrhea Planet play a cheery, upbeat style of garage rock that makes for an energetic and engaging live performance. The Tennessee six-piece have four guitarists amongst them, all of whom are put to good use, creating layers of floating riffs that come together for powerful hooks and verses throughout their songs. Be prepared to hear songs from their most recent EP, Aliens in the Outfield amongst some older songs at their Montreal show this week.
04/02/2015 Montreal, QC – Casa del Popolo
Do Make Say Think
Toronto post-rock mainstays Do Make Say Think will be playing a hometown show this week in honour of their 20th anniversary as a band. It's no surprise that the band are an incredibly tight unit during their live performances, having been together for so long. Employing subtle, airy guitars and warm ambience that is characteristic of their genre, the group create beautiful, flowing instrumental soundscapes that you won't want to miss in a live setting.
04/02/2015 Toronto, ON – Lee's Palace
JEFF the Brotherhood
Psychedelic slacker-rock duo JEFF the Brotherhood are making their way across Canada, playing a number of shows this week. The Orrall brothers are currently touring in support of their recently released LP Wasted On The Dream, which finds them combining pop hooks and instrumental breaks, keeping their sound varied. The duo's live performance is kinetic, as they captivate crowds with only two people on stage.
04/02/2015 Victoria, BC – Lucky Bar
04/03/2015 Vancouver, BC – Biltmore Cabaret
04/04/2015 Kelowna, BC – Habitat
04/05/2015 Calgary, AB – The Palomino (Main Floor)
04/06/2015 Edmonton, AB – Pawn Shop
04/07/2015 Saskatoon, SK – Amigo's Cantina
Ghostface Killah
Hip-hop legend and Wu-Tang Clan member Ghostface Killah will be performing in Ottawa and Toronto this week. The renowned rapper has been busy of late, releasing his recent collaboration Sour Soul with Toronto natives BADBADNOTGOOD earlier this year, as well as his most recent solo effort 36 Seasons. The latter is a comic book-rap concept project from which you can expect to hear many narrative-weaving tracks at his shows this week. Be sure not to miss out when he drops by your neighbourhood.
04/02/2015 Ottawa, ON – Ritual
04/05/2015 Toronto, ON – The Opera House
Wacken Metal Battle – Toronto
Playing the Wacken Open Air Festival is the aspiration of many a fledgling metal band, and the Wacken Metal Battle affords one Canadian band the opportunity to do just that. The final qualifying round takes place this week in Toronto, showcasing a number of heavy acts, so be sure to go check out some local unsigned heavy hitters like Last Of A Dying Breed and Black Absinthe.
04/03/2015 Toronto, ON – The Rivoli
XXYYXX
XXYYXX, a.k.a. 19-year-old experimental producer Marcel Everett, is making a Toronto stopover this week on his North American trek. Blending lo-fi vocal samples into bass-heavy beats, XXYYXX manages to weave together an intricately textured sound that ebbs and flows from ambient to more abrasive moments. His live set features a mix of materials, often drawing from his self-titled album released in 2012.
04/03/2015 Toronto, ON – The Hoxton
Find even more great shows in Exclaim!'s Concert Listings
