New Year's Eve is the biggest party night of the year, and this means that concertgoers will want to choose wisely when deciding how to spend their evening. No matter what city you're in, there are plenty of shows and club nights to check out. To help you make your night the best that it can be, we've created a rundown of some of the stand-out musical events happening across the country, with enough time ahead to secure your admission.
Find the highlights below, then relive the year in music via our 2014 in Lists section.
Vancouver
New Year's Silliness
Dayglo Abortions are Canadian punk royalty, not that they'd ever conform to such monarchy. Their anthems are less national and more anarchical, ensuring a chaotic end to a hopefully less crazy year.
(Dayglo Abortionsm, Cum Soc; $15 at Funky Winkerbeans)
New Year's Eve Carnival
These Vancouver groups will bring their "southern gothic death cult," "gypsy-glitch/swing-step/circus-prog-rock" and, uh, "alternative folk" to their hometown.
(Big John Bates, Reverend Heathen Strangefellow & the Vaudeville Vagabonds, Devil in the Wood Shack; $15 (advanced), $20 (doors) at Railway Club)
Not Yer Year NYE EXTRAVAF#@%INGANZA
It's not "yer" year unless punk is your poison, in which case this "EXTRAVAF#@%INGANZA" will kick off 2015 for you in the right fashion.
(Rampage, Brass, Punkerslut, Kill Matilda, Craters, More; $15 at 333)
Goldroom White Noise NYE & Masquerade Ball
Los Angeles producer Goldroom left the warmth of his home for the cold of Vancouver this New Year's Eve. Joined by native Canadians Pat Lok, Wmnstudies and Peter Ricq, the tunes will definitely be pumping, if only to distract from the chill outside.
(Goldroom, Pat Lok, Wmnstudies, Peter Ricq; $40 - $50+Fees at Electric Owl)
Calgary
Black Label Society
Although not technically a New Year's celebration, this metal tour's Calgary date just happened to fall on the eve of 2015. Ex-Ozzy guitarist Zakk Wylde's groovy heavy metal will encourage a head-banging good time, following the mosh pits of the opening bands.
(Black Label Society, Hatebreed, Butcher Babies; $49.50 - $59.50+Fees at Flames Central)
Glitter & Gold New Year's Eve
Okay, so a couple of Swedes, a couple of Americans, a few Frenchmen, a Canadian and more walk into a party. Actually, they bring the party in with them. What sounds like a bad joke will end up being one of the most electric closings of the year.
(Dada Life, Krewella, Excision, Dirtyphonics, More; $89.95 - $165.45+Fees at BMO Centre)
Trooper
Touting themselves as "Canada's oldest and coolest rock band," Trooper are obviously confident in their abilities to "Raise A Little Hell." The year they're ringing in will mark 40 years since their debut LP and they're still "here for a good time."
(Trooper; $103.95+Fees at Deer Foot Inn)
New Year's Eve Banger Bash
Despite a blues influence, Black Mastiff's rocking proto-metal will not leave you closing out your year down in the dumps. Cross the rift to 2015 with riffs.
(Black Mastiff, JJ Shiplett & the Red River Rebellion; $16+Fees (advanced), $21 (doors) at Broken City)
Edmonton
Count Down to Midnight
Why ring in the new year when you can welcome it with a headband? While many will wake up with headaches based on the late night, at least you'll have a good story as to why you can't move your neck.
(Striker, The Order of Chaos, Death Toll Rising, Riot City; $20+Fees at The Starlite Room)
Boodang NYE
Tied for third richest DJ of 2014, Tiësto will put his money where his turntables are, as he churns out rich EDM soundscapes for EDMonton. The Dutchman will be joined by some Canadians, an Italian and more for this celebration that could suggest the D in EDM stands for "Diverse," though "Dancing" will certainly take place as well.
(Tiësto, Dzeko & Torres, Tuneboy; $109 - $195+Fees at Shaw Conference Centre)
Toronto
Rich Aucoin + The Greatest Karaoke Set Ever!
This indie rocker had an excellent fall, releasing Ephemeral and appearing on our cover. With the winter now in full swing, Aucoin is keeping up the momentum with a celebratory year-end performance and what is being touted as the "greatest karaoke set ever."
(Rich Aucoin, GUESTS TBA; $17.50+Fees at Lee's Palace)
New Year's Eve with the Sadies
The Sadies filled the last three years with as many collaborations. This appearance will presumably find the Canadian country rockers ending their second decade as a standalone band, which might be good news; their last completely band-only album, Internal Sounds, was perfect.
(The Sadies; $25.50+Fees at the Horseshoe Tavern)
Horsey Craze
As Horsey Craze is primarily comprised of Constantines, the likelihood of seeing them much anymore seems diminished following the band's reunion this year. That makes this the onset of a new year that much more special.
(Horsey Craze, Darlene Shrugg, $15+Fees at the Silver Dollar)
The Royal Crowns
Proudly wearing their grease on their heads and in their music, these rockabilly residents of Toronto will turn a quarter-century old in the upcoming year. The Royal Crowns are ensuring that "Old Time Rock and Roll" doesn't die as the 21st century rolls on by playing New Year's Eve.
(The Royal Crowns; $20+Fees at the Dakota Tavern)
Ottawa
A Rough Resolution V.3
Third time's (supposedly) the charm, and so A Rough Resolution is back for another go-round, with as many rooms featuring differing stylings of EDM. The fact that the event is in a "Family Fun Park" and includes arcades, laser tag, bumper cars, mini golf and more only ensures that the hardest resolution to make will be not having a good time.
(DJ Echo Swift, Pete Shredz, DJ Lush, DJ Garidose, Psycronik, Mad Rushin', Toshiro, Ace of Fades, More; $25 - $35+Fees at Midway Family Fun Park)
Hangover NYE 2015
October's (and Toronto's) Very Own, Charlie B, is making the trip from Ontario's capital to Canada's for this New Year's Eve. Although none of his OVOffiliates are joining him, Mr B and DJ Mes will bring the noise themselves.
(DJ Charlie B, DJ Mes; $25+Fees at Ritual Nightclub)
Montreal
Omisoka NYE 2015
The venue may be a secret until just before this event (which is named after a Japanese tradition that occurs on the same day), but its killer lineup is far from confidential. Don't miss some fine Canadian talent, as they're joined by British producer Jon Hopkins and others.
(Jon Hopkins, Purity Ring (DJ Set), Com Truise, TR/ST, Pomo, Harrison; $34.50 - $46+Fees, at a venue to be announced 24 hours before the event.)
Halifax
The Trews (Early Show / Late Show)
The Nova Scotia natives in the Trews are set to return home for a double-header in closure of the year they dropped their eponymous fifth album. Though the band will likely always return home, their latest LP's chart debut — the highest in their history — might propel them to a bigger venue next time.
(The Trews, $74.75+Fees at Casino Nova Scotia)
Find the highlights below, then relive the year in music via our 2014 in Lists section.
Vancouver
New Year's Silliness
Dayglo Abortions are Canadian punk royalty, not that they'd ever conform to such monarchy. Their anthems are less national and more anarchical, ensuring a chaotic end to a hopefully less crazy year.
(Dayglo Abortionsm, Cum Soc; $15 at Funky Winkerbeans)
New Year's Eve Carnival
These Vancouver groups will bring their "southern gothic death cult," "gypsy-glitch/swing-step/circus-prog-rock" and, uh, "alternative folk" to their hometown.
(Big John Bates, Reverend Heathen Strangefellow & the Vaudeville Vagabonds, Devil in the Wood Shack; $15 (advanced), $20 (doors) at Railway Club)
Not Yer Year NYE EXTRAVAF#@%INGANZA
It's not "yer" year unless punk is your poison, in which case this "EXTRAVAF#@%INGANZA" will kick off 2015 for you in the right fashion.
(Rampage, Brass, Punkerslut, Kill Matilda, Craters, More; $15 at 333)
Goldroom White Noise NYE & Masquerade Ball
Los Angeles producer Goldroom left the warmth of his home for the cold of Vancouver this New Year's Eve. Joined by native Canadians Pat Lok, Wmnstudies and Peter Ricq, the tunes will definitely be pumping, if only to distract from the chill outside.
(Goldroom, Pat Lok, Wmnstudies, Peter Ricq; $40 - $50+Fees at Electric Owl)
Calgary
Black Label Society
Although not technically a New Year's celebration, this metal tour's Calgary date just happened to fall on the eve of 2015. Ex-Ozzy guitarist Zakk Wylde's groovy heavy metal will encourage a head-banging good time, following the mosh pits of the opening bands.
(Black Label Society, Hatebreed, Butcher Babies; $49.50 - $59.50+Fees at Flames Central)
Glitter & Gold New Year's Eve
Okay, so a couple of Swedes, a couple of Americans, a few Frenchmen, a Canadian and more walk into a party. Actually, they bring the party in with them. What sounds like a bad joke will end up being one of the most electric closings of the year.
(Dada Life, Krewella, Excision, Dirtyphonics, More; $89.95 - $165.45+Fees at BMO Centre)
Trooper
Touting themselves as "Canada's oldest and coolest rock band," Trooper are obviously confident in their abilities to "Raise A Little Hell." The year they're ringing in will mark 40 years since their debut LP and they're still "here for a good time."
(Trooper; $103.95+Fees at Deer Foot Inn)
New Year's Eve Banger Bash
Despite a blues influence, Black Mastiff's rocking proto-metal will not leave you closing out your year down in the dumps. Cross the rift to 2015 with riffs.
(Black Mastiff, JJ Shiplett & the Red River Rebellion; $16+Fees (advanced), $21 (doors) at Broken City)
Edmonton
Count Down to Midnight
Why ring in the new year when you can welcome it with a headband? While many will wake up with headaches based on the late night, at least you'll have a good story as to why you can't move your neck.
(Striker, The Order of Chaos, Death Toll Rising, Riot City; $20+Fees at The Starlite Room)
Boodang NYE
Tied for third richest DJ of 2014, Tiësto will put his money where his turntables are, as he churns out rich EDM soundscapes for EDMonton. The Dutchman will be joined by some Canadians, an Italian and more for this celebration that could suggest the D in EDM stands for "Diverse," though "Dancing" will certainly take place as well.
(Tiësto, Dzeko & Torres, Tuneboy; $109 - $195+Fees at Shaw Conference Centre)
Toronto
Rich Aucoin + The Greatest Karaoke Set Ever!
This indie rocker had an excellent fall, releasing Ephemeral and appearing on our cover. With the winter now in full swing, Aucoin is keeping up the momentum with a celebratory year-end performance and what is being touted as the "greatest karaoke set ever."
(Rich Aucoin, GUESTS TBA; $17.50+Fees at Lee's Palace)
New Year's Eve with the Sadies
The Sadies filled the last three years with as many collaborations. This appearance will presumably find the Canadian country rockers ending their second decade as a standalone band, which might be good news; their last completely band-only album, Internal Sounds, was perfect.
(The Sadies; $25.50+Fees at the Horseshoe Tavern)
Horsey Craze
As Horsey Craze is primarily comprised of Constantines, the likelihood of seeing them much anymore seems diminished following the band's reunion this year. That makes this the onset of a new year that much more special.
(Horsey Craze, Darlene Shrugg, $15+Fees at the Silver Dollar)
The Royal Crowns
Proudly wearing their grease on their heads and in their music, these rockabilly residents of Toronto will turn a quarter-century old in the upcoming year. The Royal Crowns are ensuring that "Old Time Rock and Roll" doesn't die as the 21st century rolls on by playing New Year's Eve.
(The Royal Crowns; $20+Fees at the Dakota Tavern)
Ottawa
A Rough Resolution V.3
Third time's (supposedly) the charm, and so A Rough Resolution is back for another go-round, with as many rooms featuring differing stylings of EDM. The fact that the event is in a "Family Fun Park" and includes arcades, laser tag, bumper cars, mini golf and more only ensures that the hardest resolution to make will be not having a good time.
(DJ Echo Swift, Pete Shredz, DJ Lush, DJ Garidose, Psycronik, Mad Rushin', Toshiro, Ace of Fades, More; $25 - $35+Fees at Midway Family Fun Park)
Hangover NYE 2015
October's (and Toronto's) Very Own, Charlie B, is making the trip from Ontario's capital to Canada's for this New Year's Eve. Although none of his OVOffiliates are joining him, Mr B and DJ Mes will bring the noise themselves.
(DJ Charlie B, DJ Mes; $25+Fees at Ritual Nightclub)
Montreal
Omisoka NYE 2015
The venue may be a secret until just before this event (which is named after a Japanese tradition that occurs on the same day), but its killer lineup is far from confidential. Don't miss some fine Canadian talent, as they're joined by British producer Jon Hopkins and others.
(Jon Hopkins, Purity Ring (DJ Set), Com Truise, TR/ST, Pomo, Harrison; $34.50 - $46+Fees, at a venue to be announced 24 hours before the event.)
Halifax
The Trews (Early Show / Late Show)
The Nova Scotia natives in the Trews are set to return home for a double-header in closure of the year they dropped their eponymous fifth album. Though the band will likely always return home, their latest LP's chart debut — the highest in their history — might propel them to a bigger venue next time.
(The Trews, $74.75+Fees at Casino Nova Scotia)
