If you're looking for something to do this week then why not get the gang together and head out to one of the many shows going down across Canada. If you're unsure what acts are hitting your city, here is our list of top concert picks for this week in Vancouver, Calgary, Toronto and Montreal.
Vancouver
Thursday, August 4
Baltimore, MD-based Future Islands are bringing their post-punk talents to the Media Club. Having released In Evening Air last year after signing to Chicago's Thrill Jockey, the band have slowly but steadily been making themselves known. Head down to the show and check out what all of the hard-earned fuss is about.
Future Islands
$13 at the Media Club
Friday, August 5
The Biltmore Cabaret will be playing host to the Doom Menace Fest this weekend. Welcoming the heavy musical talents of local acts such as psych-infused Black Wizard, sludge rockers Mendozza and many more. If you have a penchant for all things aggressive then you won't want to miss this impressive gathering.
Black Wizard
Mendozza
Ancients
Weirding
Northern
Psilocybin
Hoopsnake
$7 advance, $12 door at the Biltmore Cabaret
Tuesday, August 9
Taking to the stage with instruments such as the accordion, french horn and tuba, Beirut will be bringing their Eastern European-inspired music to the West Coast. You won't want to skip out on the opportunity to be transported to the cobblestoned streets of Paris with Zach Condon's impressive compositions. But if you can't make it out for this date, then you can take in the show on August 10 instead.
Beirut
$32.50 at the Commodore Ballroom
Calgary
Saturday, August 6
Hailing from Sweden, melodic death metal outfit Amon Amarth will be descending on MacEwan Hall in support of recent release Surtur Rising. If you're a fan of Viking- and mythology-inspired lyrics then definitely catch these heavy music veterans in the flesh.
Amon Amarth
$29.50 atMacEwan Hall
Sunday, August 7
Calling all glam rockers and fans of sleazy guitar licks, Toronto band Diemonds are making a stop in Calgary as they build buzz for their upcoming album The Bad Pack. Having played NXNE and toured with acts such as Dirty Penny, L.A. Guns and Semi-Precious Weapons, you're sure to get one heck of a spectacle should you decide to head over to Bamboo.
Diemonds
TBA at Bamboo Tiki Room
Toronto
Thursday, August 4
Playing to a sold-out audience just two days prior, Beirut will be commandeering the Phoenix's stage once again. With local favourite Owen Pallett bringing his impressive violin-wielding skills to start the night off, this promises to be an unforgettable show. You can read our review of the band's prior Toronto performance here.
Beirut
Owen Pallett
$32.50 advance, $35 door at the Phoenix Concert Theatre
Friday, August 5
In celebration of 40 years of Ontario Place, the grounds have decided to put on special events and offer free admission. This weekend sees Sloan, one of Canada's largest acts fresh from celebrating their own milestone, performing at Echo Beach. So check the weather forecast and head down to the grounds to take in an awesome free show.
Sloan
Free at Echo Beach at Ontario Place.
Monday, August 8
Singer-songwriter Justin Vernon has been on everyone's minds lately with the release of Bon Iver's new record. As previously reported, the band are making their way across North America and audiences can expect Vernon to be joined by a sizeable group of musicians to help recreate the lush sounds found on his record. If you manage to track down a ticket then count yourself lucky to be able to experience a show sure to leave you mesmerized.
Bon Iver
The Rosebuds
$35 advance, $40.50 door (sold out) at Sound Academy
Montreal
Thursday, August 4
Winnipeg's Greg MacPherson has been making his way as a singer-songwriter for 15 years, and after a short hiatus has returned with this year's Disintegration Blues. With the album already released across the pond, North American fans have to wait until early fall to get their hands on his new material. So in the meantime, check out his set at Le Cagibi to hear old favourites and preview tracks from his new record.
Greg MacPherson
Cannon Bros
Carl Spidla
$8 advance, $10 door at Le Cagibi
Friday, August 5
Celtic punk stalwarts Dropkick Murphys will be getting Montreal concertgoers riled up this weekend. There's a reason the act has managed to keep their momentum going since their start way back in the late '90s, so shine up your studded leather and join the crowd gathering at Metropolis in sticking it to the man.
Dropkick Murphys
Turbo A.C.'s
Omegas
$29.50 advance, $35 door at Metropolis
Saturday, August 6
Wolf Parade may be MIA for now but Spencer Krug's Moonface side-project is only just getting started. Releasing Organ Music Not Vibraphone Like I'd Hoped just days ago, he's already hit the road to bring his eerie instrumentals to the masses. Head on down to Il Motore to experience Krug's newest musical venture and see if his live performance captures the album's essence.
Moonface
Flow Child
$12 at Il Motore
Vancouver
Thursday, August 4
Baltimore, MD-based Future Islands are bringing their post-punk talents to the Media Club. Having released In Evening Air last year after signing to Chicago's Thrill Jockey, the band have slowly but steadily been making themselves known. Head down to the show and check out what all of the hard-earned fuss is about.
Future Islands
$13 at the Media Club
Friday, August 5
The Biltmore Cabaret will be playing host to the Doom Menace Fest this weekend. Welcoming the heavy musical talents of local acts such as psych-infused Black Wizard, sludge rockers Mendozza and many more. If you have a penchant for all things aggressive then you won't want to miss this impressive gathering.
Black Wizard
Mendozza
Ancients
Weirding
Northern
Psilocybin
Hoopsnake
$7 advance, $12 door at the Biltmore Cabaret
Tuesday, August 9
Taking to the stage with instruments such as the accordion, french horn and tuba, Beirut will be bringing their Eastern European-inspired music to the West Coast. You won't want to skip out on the opportunity to be transported to the cobblestoned streets of Paris with Zach Condon's impressive compositions. But if you can't make it out for this date, then you can take in the show on August 10 instead.
Beirut
$32.50 at the Commodore Ballroom
Calgary
Saturday, August 6
Hailing from Sweden, melodic death metal outfit Amon Amarth will be descending on MacEwan Hall in support of recent release Surtur Rising. If you're a fan of Viking- and mythology-inspired lyrics then definitely catch these heavy music veterans in the flesh.
Amon Amarth
$29.50 atMacEwan Hall
Sunday, August 7
Calling all glam rockers and fans of sleazy guitar licks, Toronto band Diemonds are making a stop in Calgary as they build buzz for their upcoming album The Bad Pack. Having played NXNE and toured with acts such as Dirty Penny, L.A. Guns and Semi-Precious Weapons, you're sure to get one heck of a spectacle should you decide to head over to Bamboo.
Diemonds
TBA at Bamboo Tiki Room
Toronto
Thursday, August 4
Playing to a sold-out audience just two days prior, Beirut will be commandeering the Phoenix's stage once again. With local favourite Owen Pallett bringing his impressive violin-wielding skills to start the night off, this promises to be an unforgettable show. You can read our review of the band's prior Toronto performance here.
Beirut
Owen Pallett
$32.50 advance, $35 door at the Phoenix Concert Theatre
Friday, August 5
In celebration of 40 years of Ontario Place, the grounds have decided to put on special events and offer free admission. This weekend sees Sloan, one of Canada's largest acts fresh from celebrating their own milestone, performing at Echo Beach. So check the weather forecast and head down to the grounds to take in an awesome free show.
Sloan
Free at Echo Beach at Ontario Place.
Monday, August 8
Singer-songwriter Justin Vernon has been on everyone's minds lately with the release of Bon Iver's new record. As previously reported, the band are making their way across North America and audiences can expect Vernon to be joined by a sizeable group of musicians to help recreate the lush sounds found on his record. If you manage to track down a ticket then count yourself lucky to be able to experience a show sure to leave you mesmerized.
Bon Iver
The Rosebuds
$35 advance, $40.50 door (sold out) at Sound Academy
Montreal
Thursday, August 4
Winnipeg's Greg MacPherson has been making his way as a singer-songwriter for 15 years, and after a short hiatus has returned with this year's Disintegration Blues. With the album already released across the pond, North American fans have to wait until early fall to get their hands on his new material. So in the meantime, check out his set at Le Cagibi to hear old favourites and preview tracks from his new record.
Greg MacPherson
Cannon Bros
Carl Spidla
$8 advance, $10 door at Le Cagibi
Friday, August 5
Celtic punk stalwarts Dropkick Murphys will be getting Montreal concertgoers riled up this weekend. There's a reason the act has managed to keep their momentum going since their start way back in the late '90s, so shine up your studded leather and join the crowd gathering at Metropolis in sticking it to the man.
Dropkick Murphys
Turbo A.C.'s
Omegas
$29.50 advance, $35 door at Metropolis
Saturday, August 6
Wolf Parade may be MIA for now but Spencer Krug's Moonface side-project is only just getting started. Releasing Organ Music Not Vibraphone Like I'd Hoped just days ago, he's already hit the road to bring his eerie instrumentals to the masses. Head on down to Il Motore to experience Krug's newest musical venture and see if his live performance captures the album's essence.
Moonface
Flow Child
$12 at Il Motore
