It's getting down for the wire for holiday shopping. For those of us who regretfully leave the gift getting a little too late every year, the week of December 11 to 17 might be frantic. If you feel like putting it off and ignoring the mounting stress just a little longer, we've got plenty of distractions for you in the form of this week's Can't Miss Concerts roundup. Or, you could be responsible and attend a show as a reward for finishing. Like the endless possibilities for gifts, there are plenty more show options in our complete Concert Listings.
Beat Connection
It's not exactly a hometown show for Beat Connection, but it's pretty well as close as it gets north of the border. The Seattle electro poppers will be hopping the divide into Canada and performing ahead of their forthcoming full-length. Make them feel welcome in their home in "our home and native land," while dancing away the December cold.
12/12 Vancouver, BC – Electric Owl
Dan Mangan + Blacksmith
For their last date of 2014, Dan Mangan + Blacksmith are heading to the home base of their record label, Arts & Crafts, for whom they'll release Club Meds early next year. Consider this a sneak preview of the first LP from the collaboration between Mangan and his band; their next tour isn't until a month after the LP's mid-January release.
12/15 Toronto, ON – Virgin Mobile Mod Club
Down
On the tail of those NOLA documentaries that no doubt reinvigorated interested in Down's down-tuned, down-south riffage, and ahead of a book that will tell frontman Phil Anselmo's story, the group are out on the "Punk Rock But Kinda Not Tour." Fortunately, the punk is more in attitude than sound, as the ominous sludge is still oozing from their latest, Down IV – Part II.
12/11 Vancouver, BC – Commodore Ballroom
12/13 Edmonton, AB – Union Hall
12/14 Calgary, AB – Flames Central
The Hold Steady
The Hold Steady is all too appropriate a name for this Brooklyn rock quintet, who will be holding steady at Toronto's Legendary Horseshoe Tavern this week. Don't take the chance to see them in that intimate venue for granted; earlier this year, the New Yorkers played the Phoenix. If the quality of that show and the group's 2014 album are any indication, transitioning to a smaller venue might give way to an even bigger show.
12/11 Toronto, ON – Horseshoe Tavern
12/12 Toronto, ON – Horseshoe Tavern
12/13 Toronto, ON – Horseshoe Tavern
Phantogram
Phantogram have been getting remixed a lot post-Voices. From Leo Justi, to Alt-J, to Future Islands, it seems everyone wants a piece of this duo. Seeing the group live will prove that Phantogram's songs don't need remixes; they're strong enough on their own.
12/11 Calgary, AB – Flames Central
12/12 Edmonton, AB – The Starlite Room
12/14 Vancouver, BC – Vogue Theatre
12/15 Victoria, BC – Sugar Nightclub
Timber Timbre
Timber Timbre have a holiday surprise for (some of) their hometown Toronto: not one, not two, but three headlining shows at Lee's Palace. The temporary kings of the palace will make Hot Dreams come true, with songs off that album commingling with other material to make their reign magical.
12/11 Toronto, ON – Lee's Palace
12/12 Toronto, ON – Lee's Palace
12/13 Toronto, ON – Lee's Palace
Tokyo Police Club
A month-long tour found Tokyo Police Club joining forces with Said the Whale and the Pack A.D. and heading to the west coast and back to their GTA home. If both of the Toronto shows are anything like the one in Vancouver, fans are in for a stellar night.
12/11 Toronto, ON – Danforth Music Hall
12/12 Toronto, ON – Danforth Music Hall
For more shows headed your way, click over to Exclaim!'s Concert Listings.
Beat Connection
It's not exactly a hometown show for Beat Connection, but it's pretty well as close as it gets north of the border. The Seattle electro poppers will be hopping the divide into Canada and performing ahead of their forthcoming full-length. Make them feel welcome in their home in "our home and native land," while dancing away the December cold.
12/12 Vancouver, BC – Electric Owl
Dan Mangan + Blacksmith
For their last date of 2014, Dan Mangan + Blacksmith are heading to the home base of their record label, Arts & Crafts, for whom they'll release Club Meds early next year. Consider this a sneak preview of the first LP from the collaboration between Mangan and his band; their next tour isn't until a month after the LP's mid-January release.
12/15 Toronto, ON – Virgin Mobile Mod Club
Down
On the tail of those NOLA documentaries that no doubt reinvigorated interested in Down's down-tuned, down-south riffage, and ahead of a book that will tell frontman Phil Anselmo's story, the group are out on the "Punk Rock But Kinda Not Tour." Fortunately, the punk is more in attitude than sound, as the ominous sludge is still oozing from their latest, Down IV – Part II.
12/11 Vancouver, BC – Commodore Ballroom
12/13 Edmonton, AB – Union Hall
12/14 Calgary, AB – Flames Central
The Hold Steady
The Hold Steady is all too appropriate a name for this Brooklyn rock quintet, who will be holding steady at Toronto's Legendary Horseshoe Tavern this week. Don't take the chance to see them in that intimate venue for granted; earlier this year, the New Yorkers played the Phoenix. If the quality of that show and the group's 2014 album are any indication, transitioning to a smaller venue might give way to an even bigger show.
12/11 Toronto, ON – Horseshoe Tavern
12/12 Toronto, ON – Horseshoe Tavern
12/13 Toronto, ON – Horseshoe Tavern
Phantogram
Phantogram have been getting remixed a lot post-Voices. From Leo Justi, to Alt-J, to Future Islands, it seems everyone wants a piece of this duo. Seeing the group live will prove that Phantogram's songs don't need remixes; they're strong enough on their own.
12/11 Calgary, AB – Flames Central
12/12 Edmonton, AB – The Starlite Room
12/14 Vancouver, BC – Vogue Theatre
12/15 Victoria, BC – Sugar Nightclub
Timber Timbre
Timber Timbre have a holiday surprise for (some of) their hometown Toronto: not one, not two, but three headlining shows at Lee's Palace. The temporary kings of the palace will make Hot Dreams come true, with songs off that album commingling with other material to make their reign magical.
12/11 Toronto, ON – Lee's Palace
12/12 Toronto, ON – Lee's Palace
12/13 Toronto, ON – Lee's Palace
Tokyo Police Club
A month-long tour found Tokyo Police Club joining forces with Said the Whale and the Pack A.D. and heading to the west coast and back to their GTA home. If both of the Toronto shows are anything like the one in Vancouver, fans are in for a stellar night.
12/11 Toronto, ON – Danforth Music Hall
12/12 Toronto, ON – Danforth Music Hall
For more shows headed your way, click over to Exclaim!'s Concert Listings.