Your week wouldn't be complete without fitting in a little bit of live music, right? So to make sure that you make of the best of the next few days, here are the shows that we think you shouldn't miss out on in Vancouver, Toronto and Montreal.
Vancouver
Thursday June 16
You're going to have to travel a little outside of the city to catch Kid Cudi for this one, but there are two good reasons why you'll want to. First, this is one of only two stops that the rapper will be making on Canadian soil (the other is in Toronto on July 30). Second, soon Kid Cudi's going to be busy working on a new project, his rock band 2 Be Continuum, so fans of his pop-infused hip-hop better catch his Man on the Moon tracks live while they still can.
Kid Cudi
Chip the Ripper
$49.50 at Deer Lake Park
Friday, June 17
The Mountain Goats have been busy touring since the release of their latest album, All Eternals Deck, back in March. They're back at it again this summer, and although they'll be spending more time with our Southern neighbours, we're happy to see that they're playing this one awesome gig for Vancouver.
The Mountain Goats
Guests
$20 at the Biltmore Cabaret
Sunday, June 19
Not only is this Sunday Father's Day, but if you're in Vancouver, it's also Car Free Day. A bunch of streets around the city will be deemed "pedestrian-only" for this annual event. One of those streets is Main Street, which is home to Red Cat Records. And music junkies in town are going to want to swing by because they'll be setting up a stage outside the shop. Sets start at 12:30 p.m., with Korean Gut, and Ghost House will close off the day at 6:20 p.m.
Ghost House
Cloudspitter
The Shilohs
Nam Shub
Ford Pier Vengence Trio
Koban
Student Teacher
Korean Gut
Free at Red Cat Records
Toronto
Thursday, June 16
For one week every June in Toronto, the city is taken over by the North by Northeast festival, which plays host to tons of films, conferences and, most importantly, live music. This year, about 650 bands will be playing venues all around the city. With that many shows happening, most at the same time, it can be tough to decide what to go to each night. Lucky for you, we've got a few suggestions.
If you're looking for a night of hard-hitting pop tunes, the Phoenix will be the place for you on Thursday. Deerhoof are going to be headlining the night, so there's no doubt that show-goers will be leaving happy.
Deerhoof
Gauntlet Hair
The Dodos
Free with wristband at the Phoenix
Friday, June 17
Bombs have been rocking Toronto since they started up in 2008, and Friday they'll be bringing their no-holds-barred brand of mod rock to Lee's Palace to close the night off. But the biggest draws of this showcase are Cults, Dirty Beaches and Dum Dum Girls, so it will be one you won't want to miss.
Bombs
Cults
Dirty Beaches
Dum Dum Girls
Superhumanoids
Writer
Free with wristband at Lee's Palace
Saturday, June 19
Saturday at NXNE always brings about tough show-going decisions as one of the busiest nights of the fest. But you would be smart to leave some room in your schedule for New York doom pop act Guards who will be playing Lee's with Wild Nothing, Twin Shadow and Memoryhouse, as well as a few more acts.
Guards
Ivan & Alyosha
Memoryhouse
Twin Shadow
Wild Nothing
Free with wristband at Lee's Palace
Montreal
Friday, June 17
You've probably found yourself with Foster the People's indie pop hit "Pumped Up Kicks" stuck in your head for a day or two. This L.A. crew released their debut full-length back in May and now they have tour dates lined up right through to October. If you're in the Montreal area though, you've got the chance to see the band much sooner than later.
Foster the People
Gardens and Villa
$15 at Le National
Saturday, June 18
If it's a bit of post-post punk you're looking for this weekend, UK's Art Brut will be around to help you out. Get out to the show to hear songs off of their recently released album Brilliant, Tragic.
Art Brut
Guests
$15 advance, $16.50 door at Il Motore
Sunday, June 19
As all self-respecting punks know, the one and only Keith Morris (Black Flag/Circle Jerks) got together with Steve McDonald (Red Kross), Dimitri Coats (Burning Brides) and Mario Rubalcaba (Hot Snakes) to make the hardcore supergroup known as OFF! That lineup alone should be enough to make you want check to this show out.
OFF!
Black Lungs
Prevenge
$15 at Foufounes Electriques
Vancouver
Thursday June 16
You're going to have to travel a little outside of the city to catch Kid Cudi for this one, but there are two good reasons why you'll want to. First, this is one of only two stops that the rapper will be making on Canadian soil (the other is in Toronto on July 30). Second, soon Kid Cudi's going to be busy working on a new project, his rock band 2 Be Continuum, so fans of his pop-infused hip-hop better catch his Man on the Moon tracks live while they still can.
Kid Cudi
Chip the Ripper
$49.50 at Deer Lake Park
Friday, June 17
The Mountain Goats have been busy touring since the release of their latest album, All Eternals Deck, back in March. They're back at it again this summer, and although they'll be spending more time with our Southern neighbours, we're happy to see that they're playing this one awesome gig for Vancouver.
The Mountain Goats
Guests
$20 at the Biltmore Cabaret
Sunday, June 19
Not only is this Sunday Father's Day, but if you're in Vancouver, it's also Car Free Day. A bunch of streets around the city will be deemed "pedestrian-only" for this annual event. One of those streets is Main Street, which is home to Red Cat Records. And music junkies in town are going to want to swing by because they'll be setting up a stage outside the shop. Sets start at 12:30 p.m., with Korean Gut, and Ghost House will close off the day at 6:20 p.m.
Ghost House
Cloudspitter
The Shilohs
Nam Shub
Ford Pier Vengence Trio
Koban
Student Teacher
Korean Gut
Free at Red Cat Records
Toronto
Thursday, June 16
For one week every June in Toronto, the city is taken over by the North by Northeast festival, which plays host to tons of films, conferences and, most importantly, live music. This year, about 650 bands will be playing venues all around the city. With that many shows happening, most at the same time, it can be tough to decide what to go to each night. Lucky for you, we've got a few suggestions.
If you're looking for a night of hard-hitting pop tunes, the Phoenix will be the place for you on Thursday. Deerhoof are going to be headlining the night, so there's no doubt that show-goers will be leaving happy.
Deerhoof
Gauntlet Hair
The Dodos
Free with wristband at the Phoenix
Friday, June 17
Bombs have been rocking Toronto since they started up in 2008, and Friday they'll be bringing their no-holds-barred brand of mod rock to Lee's Palace to close the night off. But the biggest draws of this showcase are Cults, Dirty Beaches and Dum Dum Girls, so it will be one you won't want to miss.
Bombs
Cults
Dirty Beaches
Dum Dum Girls
Superhumanoids
Writer
Free with wristband at Lee's Palace
Saturday, June 19
Saturday at NXNE always brings about tough show-going decisions as one of the busiest nights of the fest. But you would be smart to leave some room in your schedule for New York doom pop act Guards who will be playing Lee's with Wild Nothing, Twin Shadow and Memoryhouse, as well as a few more acts.
Guards
Ivan & Alyosha
Memoryhouse
Twin Shadow
Wild Nothing
Free with wristband at Lee's Palace
Montreal
Friday, June 17
You've probably found yourself with Foster the People's indie pop hit "Pumped Up Kicks" stuck in your head for a day or two. This L.A. crew released their debut full-length back in May and now they have tour dates lined up right through to October. If you're in the Montreal area though, you've got the chance to see the band much sooner than later.
Foster the People
Gardens and Villa
$15 at Le National
Saturday, June 18
If it's a bit of post-post punk you're looking for this weekend, UK's Art Brut will be around to help you out. Get out to the show to hear songs off of their recently released album Brilliant, Tragic.
Art Brut
Guests
$15 advance, $16.50 door at Il Motore
Sunday, June 19
As all self-respecting punks know, the one and only Keith Morris (Black Flag/Circle Jerks) got together with Steve McDonald (Red Kross), Dimitri Coats (Burning Brides) and Mario Rubalcaba (Hot Snakes) to make the hardcore supergroup known as OFF! That lineup alone should be enough to make you want check to this show out.
OFF!
Black Lungs
Prevenge
$15 at Foufounes Electriques
