This week's edition of Can't Miss Concerts, from May 19 to May 25, is packed to the brim with heavy hitters. Whether you're into the ambient beats of Four Tet, the blistering post-punk of Savages or the highly anticipated return of Wolf Parade, there's something for you in this week's picks. Read on to see the best shows this week and be sure to check our complete Concert Listings for a complete list of shows coming to Canada.
Black Mountain
Vancouver-based stoner rock outfit Black Mountain have been combining monolithic riffs and space-age flourishes to astonishing effect for over a decade. Now, they're back on the road in support of IV, their most hazy and enjoyable record so far. See what the fuss is about at one of the venues below.
05/19/2016 Calgary, AB – Marquee Beer Market and Stage
05/21/2016 Vancouver, BC – Commodore Ballroom
Tanika Charles
After honing her chops singing backup for Bedouin Soundclash and Zaki Ibrahim, Tanika Charles has emerged as a dynamic artist and performer in her own right. Her debut record, Soul Run, is a sun-kissed soul record arriving just in time for summer. Ring in the new season at one of the dates below.
05/19/2016 Saskatoon, SK – Amigos Cantina
05/20/2016 Calgary, AB – Wine Ohs
05/21/2016 Canmore, AB – Communitea Café
05/22/2016 Edmonton, AB – Brixx Bar & Grill
05/24/2016 Victoria, BC – The Copper Owl
05/25/2016 Vancouver, BC – Fox Cabaret
Four Tet
British beat wizard Four Tet returned with yet another forward-thinking electronic record last year. Drawing heavily from Indian music, Morning/Evening brought a welcome new twist to Kieran Hebden's sound. Don't miss Four Tet when he touches down in Montreal and Toronto this week.
05/21/2016 Toronto, ON – CODA
05/23/2016 Montreal, QC – Parc Jean Drapeau (Piknic Electronik performance)
Kaytranada
Montreal producer Kaytranada has been a rising star in the hip-hop community for years, scoring stellar collaborations with Freddie Gibbs and Vic Mensa and turning heads with his standout remixes and Boiler Room sets. Released earlier this month, 99.9% is his coming out party as a major force in hip-hop, boasting a sound that's equal parts boom-bap and deep house. Celebrate with him at one of the dates below.
05/19/2016 Montreal, QC - Metropolis
05/20/2016 Toronto, ON – Danforth Music Hall
Moderat
Fans of skittering electronics and atmospheric synth leads should look no further than German IDM masterminds Moderat. Consisting of beat trailblazers Modeselektor and Apparat, the three-piece outfit provide a sound that's at once dark and danceable. Check them out at one of the shows below.
05/20/2016 Montreal, QC – Metropolis
05/23/2016 Vancouver, BC – Vogue Theatre
Royce Da 5'9''
With one album already out (Layers) and another on the way (Book of Ryan) Royce Da 5'9'' has been a busy man. He continues his breakneck run through Canada this week with stops in Halifax, Fredericton, St. John's and Sydney. If you're on the East coast, the Detroit MC's particular brand of hip-hop storytelling is definitely worth checking out.
05/19/2016 Halifax, NS – The Toothy Moose
05/20/2016 Fredericton, NB – Klub Khrome
05/21/2016 St. John's, NL – The Rockhouse
05/22/2016 Sydney, NS – Allure on George
Savages
Savages have two critically acclaimed albums under their belt, including this year's Adore Life, but their reputation as post-punk champions has truly been garnered through their blistering live performances. Boasting the razor-wire guitar pyrotechnics of Gemma Thompson and arguably the most dynamic post-punk singer out there in Jehnny Beth, Savages' explosive live show is world-renowned for a reason. See them catch fire at one of the dates below.
05/22/2016 Winnipeg, MB – West End Cultural Centre
05/25/2016 Edmonton AB – The Starlite Room
Unknown Mortal Orchestra
The brainchild of singer and guitarist Ruban Nielson, Unknown Mortal Orchestra put out one of the most eclectic records of 2015 in Multi-Love. Working funk and soul elements into their traditional psychedelic indie rock sound, Multi-Love is as danceable as it is heart-wrenching. See him at one of the dates below if you want to dance away the blues — or dance into them.
05/21/2016 Winnipeg, MB – West End Cultural Centre
05/23/2016 Saskatoon, SK – Amigos Cantina
05/24/2016 Edmonton, AB – Starlite Room
05/25/2016 Calgary, AB – Commonwealth Bar and Stage
Wolf Parade
Rejoice! Montreal indie pioneers Wolf Parade are kicking off a five-show stand at Toronto's Lee's Palace next week, their first dates in Canada after a five-year hiatus. That means we'll finally get to hear the unmatched live chemistry between Spencer Krug's Bowie-on-speed vocals and Dan Boeckner's indie-Springsteen cool again. The first two dates are listed below.
05/24/2016 Toronto, ON – Lee's Palace
05/25/2016 Toronto, ON – Lee's Palace
Young Empires
Toronto indie pop trio Young Empires have been around since 2009, but just released their debut album The Gates last year. Their breezy, catchy sound is perfect for late-night dance parties and early-morning bedroom listening alike. If the former is more to your liking, see them at one of the dates below.
05/19/2016 Vancouver, BC – Fortune Sound Club
05/20/2016 Kelowna, BC – Leon Night Market
05/21/2016 Calgary, AB – Commonwealth Bar and Stage
05/22/2016 Edmonton, AB – The Starlite Room
Head to Exclaim!'s full Concert Listings for many more concerts and events.
Black Mountain
Vancouver-based stoner rock outfit Black Mountain have been combining monolithic riffs and space-age flourishes to astonishing effect for over a decade. Now, they're back on the road in support of IV, their most hazy and enjoyable record so far. See what the fuss is about at one of the venues below.
05/19/2016 Calgary, AB – Marquee Beer Market and Stage
05/21/2016 Vancouver, BC – Commodore Ballroom
Tanika Charles
After honing her chops singing backup for Bedouin Soundclash and Zaki Ibrahim, Tanika Charles has emerged as a dynamic artist and performer in her own right. Her debut record, Soul Run, is a sun-kissed soul record arriving just in time for summer. Ring in the new season at one of the dates below.
05/19/2016 Saskatoon, SK – Amigos Cantina
05/20/2016 Calgary, AB – Wine Ohs
05/21/2016 Canmore, AB – Communitea Café
05/22/2016 Edmonton, AB – Brixx Bar & Grill
05/24/2016 Victoria, BC – The Copper Owl
05/25/2016 Vancouver, BC – Fox Cabaret
Four Tet
British beat wizard Four Tet returned with yet another forward-thinking electronic record last year. Drawing heavily from Indian music, Morning/Evening brought a welcome new twist to Kieran Hebden's sound. Don't miss Four Tet when he touches down in Montreal and Toronto this week.
05/21/2016 Toronto, ON – CODA
05/23/2016 Montreal, QC – Parc Jean Drapeau (Piknic Electronik performance)
Kaytranada
Montreal producer Kaytranada has been a rising star in the hip-hop community for years, scoring stellar collaborations with Freddie Gibbs and Vic Mensa and turning heads with his standout remixes and Boiler Room sets. Released earlier this month, 99.9% is his coming out party as a major force in hip-hop, boasting a sound that's equal parts boom-bap and deep house. Celebrate with him at one of the dates below.
05/19/2016 Montreal, QC - Metropolis
05/20/2016 Toronto, ON – Danforth Music Hall
Moderat
Fans of skittering electronics and atmospheric synth leads should look no further than German IDM masterminds Moderat. Consisting of beat trailblazers Modeselektor and Apparat, the three-piece outfit provide a sound that's at once dark and danceable. Check them out at one of the shows below.
05/20/2016 Montreal, QC – Metropolis
05/23/2016 Vancouver, BC – Vogue Theatre
Royce Da 5'9''
With one album already out (Layers) and another on the way (Book of Ryan) Royce Da 5'9'' has been a busy man. He continues his breakneck run through Canada this week with stops in Halifax, Fredericton, St. John's and Sydney. If you're on the East coast, the Detroit MC's particular brand of hip-hop storytelling is definitely worth checking out.
05/19/2016 Halifax, NS – The Toothy Moose
05/20/2016 Fredericton, NB – Klub Khrome
05/21/2016 St. John's, NL – The Rockhouse
05/22/2016 Sydney, NS – Allure on George
Savages
Savages have two critically acclaimed albums under their belt, including this year's Adore Life, but their reputation as post-punk champions has truly been garnered through their blistering live performances. Boasting the razor-wire guitar pyrotechnics of Gemma Thompson and arguably the most dynamic post-punk singer out there in Jehnny Beth, Savages' explosive live show is world-renowned for a reason. See them catch fire at one of the dates below.
05/22/2016 Winnipeg, MB – West End Cultural Centre
05/25/2016 Edmonton AB – The Starlite Room
Unknown Mortal Orchestra
The brainchild of singer and guitarist Ruban Nielson, Unknown Mortal Orchestra put out one of the most eclectic records of 2015 in Multi-Love. Working funk and soul elements into their traditional psychedelic indie rock sound, Multi-Love is as danceable as it is heart-wrenching. See him at one of the dates below if you want to dance away the blues — or dance into them.
05/21/2016 Winnipeg, MB – West End Cultural Centre
05/23/2016 Saskatoon, SK – Amigos Cantina
05/24/2016 Edmonton, AB – Starlite Room
05/25/2016 Calgary, AB – Commonwealth Bar and Stage
Wolf Parade
Rejoice! Montreal indie pioneers Wolf Parade are kicking off a five-show stand at Toronto's Lee's Palace next week, their first dates in Canada after a five-year hiatus. That means we'll finally get to hear the unmatched live chemistry between Spencer Krug's Bowie-on-speed vocals and Dan Boeckner's indie-Springsteen cool again. The first two dates are listed below.
05/24/2016 Toronto, ON – Lee's Palace
05/25/2016 Toronto, ON – Lee's Palace
Young Empires
Toronto indie pop trio Young Empires have been around since 2009, but just released their debut album The Gates last year. Their breezy, catchy sound is perfect for late-night dance parties and early-morning bedroom listening alike. If the former is more to your liking, see them at one of the dates below.
05/19/2016 Vancouver, BC – Fortune Sound Club
05/20/2016 Kelowna, BC – Leon Night Market
05/21/2016 Calgary, AB – Commonwealth Bar and Stage
05/22/2016 Edmonton, AB – The Starlite Room
Head to Exclaim!'s full Concert Listings for many more concerts and events.