The Pack A.D., Echo & the Bunnymen, Charlotte Gainsbourg and Friendo Lead This Week's Can't Miss Concerts

BY Exclaim! StaffPublished Apr 22, 2010

As is our Thursday tradition, we have dug through the mass of Canadian concert listings to give you Exclaim!'s Can't Miss Concerts, our weekly concert guide for Vancouver, Toronto, Montreal, Calgary and Edmonton. Here's what we deem your best concert bets.

Vancouver

Thursday, April 22
Vancouver punk weirdos Vapid and Defektors are all set to go on a West coast U.S. tour, with tonight making for the kick-off. And no matter what the ballroom walls at the Biltmore say, Vapid can play.

Vapid
Defektors
$5 at Honey Lounge

Friday, April 23
With the release of their anticipated We Kill Computers just around the corner, Vancouver's hard-rocking garage blues duo the Pack A.D. are celebrating with this hometown show. Guaranteed rock'n'roll energy to the max, folks.

The Pack A.D.
Sex with Strangers
The Angry Dragons
$12 at Biltmore Cabaret

Tuesday, April 27
The Twee Death dudes have set up yet another great show, this time roping in Brooklyn noise rock experimentalists Sightings. Lending some opening support will be Vancity locals Shearing Pinx and darkwave electro popsters MYTHS, who are definite can't miss.

Sightings
MYTHS
Shearing Pinx
$10 (advance)/$12 (doors) at Anza

Calgary

Friday, April 23
Calgary reverb-rock trio Friendo headline this bill of Alberta bands to benefit the making of a local film called Rogers Pass. Rounded out by the Moby Dicks, Hunter-Gatherer and Forest Tate, there will be something for everyone on this eclectic night.

Friendo
The Moby Dicks
Hunter-Gatherer
Forest Tate
$TBA at the Marquee Room

Saturday, April 24
Legendary Cleveland-based performance artist Baby Dee will bring her storied career to Calgary in a rare Alberta appearance. Previously performing with Antony & the Johnsons, the Sex Pistols, Andrew W.K., Current 93 and many others, she's a veteran performer who shouldn't be missed.

Baby Dee
$TBA at Big Secret Theatre

Sunday, April 25
Dub legend Mad Professor will bring his decades-deep catalogue to Calgary for a sure-fire dance party. At a venue as intimate as the Drum & Monkey, this would be a ridiculous show to miss.

Mad Professor
$TBA at Drum & Monkey

Edmonton

Thursday, April 22
Victoria-based folk rock hippies Jon and Roy (actually a quartet) will bring their laid-back jams to Edmonton's Starlite Room. Like a fistful of granola on a morning before a hike, this will surely hit the right spot on a weekend in the spring.

Jon and Roy
$TBA at the Starlite Room

Sunday, April 25
Vancouver folk rock quartet the Fugitives will appear in Edmonton on the home stretch of their cross-Canada tour. Playing Edmonton's amazing Artery, this will be the perfect segue from the weekend into the week.

the Fugitives
$TBA at the Artery

Monday, April 26
English rockers Band of Skulls just played Coachella, so they should be in top form for their first-ever Edmonton appearance. Don't be surprised if you have to wade through Twilight fans, as the band was on the New Moon soundtrack.

Band of Skulls
$TBA at Saint Motel

Toronto

Thursday, April 22
Much-loved Vancouver singer-songwriter Dan Mangan has made his way east to show off a selection of tunes, many of which will likely be from break-through 2009 full-length Nice, Nice, Very Nice.

Dan Mangan
$12 (advance)/$15 (doors) at Horseshoe Tavern

Friday, April 23
Once again, '80s post-punk heroes Echo & The Bunnymen are back, this time showing off tracks from their latest LP The Fountain. But we're guessing some old classics will be in there as well. "Killing Moon," anyone?

Echo & The Bunnymen
Hatcham Social
$37.50 at Phoenix

Monday, April 26
In support of her recently released My Best Friend Is You, Brit songstress Kate Nash is making the trip over the pond. The show is sold-out, but hey, you never know.

Kate Nash
Supercute
$22.50 (advance)/$25 (door) at Mod Club

Montreal

Thursday, April 22
If you've been itching to travel to La La Land, then look no further than this Plants and Animals show. The hometown throw-down stands as one of the first on the psych-rockin' band's freshly launched North American tour.

Plants and Animals
The Barr Brothers
$15.50 (advance)/$17 (door) at La Tulipe

Friday, April 23
Much-hyped Canadian newcomer Hannah Georgas (aka the next Feist) is preparing for the release of her new full-length This Is Good, and since new records and tour go hand in hand, here's just one of many upcoming Canadian tour dates.

Hannah Georgas
An Horse
$TBA at La Sala Rossa

Saturday, April 24
Serge's daughter, Beck's new best bud and Lars Von Trier's antichrist Charlotte Gainsbourg is finally showing Quebec some love. This show is only one of two Montreal performances this weekend, so if you can't make this one, head out to Friday's.

Charlotte Gainsbourg
$TBA at Olympia de Montreal

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