It's hard to believe that August is finally coming to a close. But as the days get shorter and the nights grow colder, don't stay indoors and lament the coming fall (you'll have plenty of time to do that in September) — get outside and enjoy some of this week's best concerts! Check out our picks for Canada's must-see shows for the week of August 22-28 below.
The Beach Boys
Nothing says summer quite like the Beach Boys. That's why the Pacific National Exhibition in Vancouver has tagged the sunny pop outfit to help cap off August with a headline performance as part of their two-week festival. While you shouldn't expect Brian Wilson to show up, this incarnation of the famous '60s rock group nonetheless includes remaining members Mike Love and Bruce Johnston. Get ready to feel some good vibrations as the retro rockers say goodbye to this season's sunny days.
8/23 Vancouver, BC - PNE Amphitheatre
Black Sabbath
Semi-reunited rockers Black Sabbath show us why they're the godfathers of metal with a headline performance at Vancouver's Rogers Arena in support of their Exclaim! Mark of Excellence-certified LP, 13. Catch Ozzy, Tony, Geezer, but not Bill (who, apparently, couldn't keep up with the group) as they run through classics from their extensive back catalogue. Don't forget to arrive early to watch opener Andrew W.K. warm up the crowd with his party-hearty theatrics.
8/22 Vancouver, BC - Rogers Arena
Danzig
It's hard to believe it's been 25 years since one-time Misfits frontman Glenn Danzig went solo. In honour of Danzig's 1988 debut, the horror-punk crooner will be hitting up Canada's West Coast this week with three dates in Alberta and BC. Joining him will be ex-Misfits axeman Doyle Wolfgang von Frankenstein, making this the closest thing to a bona fide Misfits reunion in quite some time.
8/24 Calgary, AB - Flames Central
8/25 Edmonton, AB - Union Hall
8/27 Vancouver, BC - Commodore Ballroom
Old Crow Medicine Show
Nashville-based bluegrass revivalists Old Crow Medicine Show roll their wagon wheels through Southern Ontario for a handful of dates in support of last year's Carry Me Back LP. Catch the modern Americana magnates do their thing with a pair of headlining spots at Kingston's Alehouse and Toronto's Danforth Music Hall before joining up with the Walkmen, Hey Rosetta! and fellow roots music contemporaries Mumford & Sons at the Simcoe stop of the international touring festival Gentleman of the Road.
8/22 Kingston, ON - Alehouse
8/23 Toronto, ON - Danforth Music Hall
8/24 Simcoe, ON - Norfolk County Fairgrounds
Pinback
Long-running indie rock outfit Pinback leave the sandy shores of their native San Diego for a date at Edmonton's the Starlite Room in support of 2012's Information Received. Don't forget to arrive early to catch relative newcomers Octa#grape wow the crowd with their brand of avant-garde, Drag City-esque fuzz rock.
8/28 Edmonton, AB - The Starlite Room
Riot Fest
Last year, travelling punk rock exhibition Riot Fest launched its inaugural Toronto edition by bringing out the likes of NOFX, the Descendants and Fucked Up. But for the festival's ninth anniversary, organizers have outdone themselves, offering two days of fun with performances form Every Time I Die, A Day to Remember, Rocket From the Crypt, The Weakerthans, Iggy & the Stooges, and many more. The highlight of the weekend comes Sunday evening, when Paul Westerberg and Tommy Stinson take the stage as the Replacements for their first show together in over 20 years.
8/24-5 Toronto, ON - Fort York: Garrison Common
Sarah Neufeld
Arcade Fire and Bell Orchestre alumnus Sarah Neufeld steps away from the string section for a solo stop in Toronto on behalf of her recently released full-length Hero Brother. Catch the concert violinist (and yoga enthusiast) show off her classical chops as she performs cuts from her mostly-instrumental debut.
8/22 Toronto, ON - The Drake Hotel (Underground)
Souls of Mischief
Hieroglyphics affiliates Souls of Mischief have kept pretty quiet since their 2009 return, Montezuma's Revenge. But now the one-time rap prodigies are kicking it into high gear, preparing a throwback collaborative LP with Adrian Younge due out this September, as well as embarking on a North American tour. Don't miss the hyped-up hip-hop heroes as they pass through Vancouver for the final Canadian date on their Still Infinity Tour.
8/22 Vancouver, BC - Venue Nightclub
For more shows headed your way, click over to Exclaim!'s new Concert Listings.
The Beach Boys
Nothing says summer quite like the Beach Boys. That's why the Pacific National Exhibition in Vancouver has tagged the sunny pop outfit to help cap off August with a headline performance as part of their two-week festival. While you shouldn't expect Brian Wilson to show up, this incarnation of the famous '60s rock group nonetheless includes remaining members Mike Love and Bruce Johnston. Get ready to feel some good vibrations as the retro rockers say goodbye to this season's sunny days.
8/23 Vancouver, BC - PNE Amphitheatre
Black Sabbath
Semi-reunited rockers Black Sabbath show us why they're the godfathers of metal with a headline performance at Vancouver's Rogers Arena in support of their Exclaim! Mark of Excellence-certified LP, 13. Catch Ozzy, Tony, Geezer, but not Bill (who, apparently, couldn't keep up with the group) as they run through classics from their extensive back catalogue. Don't forget to arrive early to watch opener Andrew W.K. warm up the crowd with his party-hearty theatrics.
8/22 Vancouver, BC - Rogers Arena
Danzig
It's hard to believe it's been 25 years since one-time Misfits frontman Glenn Danzig went solo. In honour of Danzig's 1988 debut, the horror-punk crooner will be hitting up Canada's West Coast this week with three dates in Alberta and BC. Joining him will be ex-Misfits axeman Doyle Wolfgang von Frankenstein, making this the closest thing to a bona fide Misfits reunion in quite some time.
8/24 Calgary, AB - Flames Central
8/25 Edmonton, AB - Union Hall
8/27 Vancouver, BC - Commodore Ballroom
Old Crow Medicine Show
Nashville-based bluegrass revivalists Old Crow Medicine Show roll their wagon wheels through Southern Ontario for a handful of dates in support of last year's Carry Me Back LP. Catch the modern Americana magnates do their thing with a pair of headlining spots at Kingston's Alehouse and Toronto's Danforth Music Hall before joining up with the Walkmen, Hey Rosetta! and fellow roots music contemporaries Mumford & Sons at the Simcoe stop of the international touring festival Gentleman of the Road.
8/22 Kingston, ON - Alehouse
8/23 Toronto, ON - Danforth Music Hall
8/24 Simcoe, ON - Norfolk County Fairgrounds
Pinback
Long-running indie rock outfit Pinback leave the sandy shores of their native San Diego for a date at Edmonton's the Starlite Room in support of 2012's Information Received. Don't forget to arrive early to catch relative newcomers Octa#grape wow the crowd with their brand of avant-garde, Drag City-esque fuzz rock.
8/28 Edmonton, AB - The Starlite Room
Riot Fest
Last year, travelling punk rock exhibition Riot Fest launched its inaugural Toronto edition by bringing out the likes of NOFX, the Descendants and Fucked Up. But for the festival's ninth anniversary, organizers have outdone themselves, offering two days of fun with performances form Every Time I Die, A Day to Remember, Rocket From the Crypt, The Weakerthans, Iggy & the Stooges, and many more. The highlight of the weekend comes Sunday evening, when Paul Westerberg and Tommy Stinson take the stage as the Replacements for their first show together in over 20 years.
8/24-5 Toronto, ON - Fort York: Garrison Common
Sarah Neufeld
Arcade Fire and Bell Orchestre alumnus Sarah Neufeld steps away from the string section for a solo stop in Toronto on behalf of her recently released full-length Hero Brother. Catch the concert violinist (and yoga enthusiast) show off her classical chops as she performs cuts from her mostly-instrumental debut.
8/22 Toronto, ON - The Drake Hotel (Underground)
Souls of Mischief
Hieroglyphics affiliates Souls of Mischief have kept pretty quiet since their 2009 return, Montezuma's Revenge. But now the one-time rap prodigies are kicking it into high gear, preparing a throwback collaborative LP with Adrian Younge due out this September, as well as embarking on a North American tour. Don't miss the hyped-up hip-hop heroes as they pass through Vancouver for the final Canadian date on their Still Infinity Tour.
8/22 Vancouver, BC - Venue Nightclub
For more shows headed your way, click over to Exclaim!'s new Concert Listings.
