The inevitable countdown till summer music festivals is on, but the future is now, so why not scope out some of the talent that will be enlivening your city this week? From the charismatic indie-shredders of Cloud Nothings, to scratch-master Kid Koala, to Toronto's musical showcase Wavelength Festival, there are a hell of a lot of musical opportunities happening on days that end in -y.
As per usual, we've done some of the heavy lifting for you by compiling our weekly Can't Miss Concerts (February 16 to 22) below, but to see everything happening this coming week, head to our Concert Listings for more.
Cloud Nothings
Though you've only had your hands on Cloud Nothings' latest LP, Life Without Sound, for less than a month now, you can catch your favourites of their fresh new riffs this week — along with some old ones, of course. The Cleveland-based indie rockers have one last Canadian date in Vancouver before heading off on the rest of their international tour.
02/16/2017 Vancouver, BC – Biltmore Cabaret
Japandroids
Japandroids aren't the silent type, so when a few years crept by after their 2012 album Celebration Rock, and there was news of a new album, fans learned to expect fireworks. The Vancouver garage rockers have crafted each album to come in and out like a lion, and that's exactly what you can expect this week in Toronto at their shows in support of Near to the Wild Heart of Life. The nights will be opened by the Hold Steady's own Craig Finn, so get ready for some heart sweats and rock anthems.
02/17/2017 Toronto, ON – Danforth Music Hall with Craig Finn
02/18/2017 Toronto, ON – Danforth Music Hall with Craig Finn
Kid Koala
Montreal turntable master Kid Koala appears to be taking the live show experience to another level, hosting an interactive turntable setup for each audience and coining it a "Turntable Orchestra." The record-scratching stalwart will be in Ottawa this week as he continues his "Satellite Concert" tour, poised and ready to get fans' creative juices flowing.
02/16/2017 Ottawa, ON – National Arts Centre
02/17/2017 Ottawa, ON – National Arts Centre
02/18/2017 Ottawa, ON – National Arts Centre (matinee)
02/18/2017 Ottawa, ON – National Arts Centre
Mozart's Sister
Synth-pop sweetheart Caila Thompson-Hannant is rolling out her new LP Field of Love this week, and you can catch the album release show at her hometown show in Montreal. If you give Mozart's Sister's teaser tracks a listen, they should give you a taste of the truly danceable pop that will ensue. Mozart's Sister shows have been known to draw quite the crowd, so best to grab a ticket early. The shows will be kicked off with British Columbia-based electro-popper Teen Daze.
02/17/2017 Montreal, QC – Arbutus HQ with Teen Daze
02/18/2017 Toronto, ON – Bambi's with Teen Daze
Run the Jewels
Hip-hop icons Run the Jewels dropped Run the Jewels 3 down the chimney this past December, and now the fiery duo (Killer Mike and El-P) have kicked off the new year with a wealth of tour dates in support. Garnering and maintaining a reputation of raw chemistry and dynamism, the pair will hit the stage twice this week with the Gaslamp Killer, so you can see for yourself.
02/19/2017 Toronto, ON – Danforth Music Hall with the Gaslamp Killer
02/21/2017 Montreal, QC – M Telus with the Gaslamp Killer
Thundercat
By the end of the week, Los Angeles-based producer and bass guru Thundercat will have a whopping 23 new tracks out, in the form of his fourth studio album, Drunk. If you've never seen the man live, get set for some bass-shredding solos that will make you re-think rock's most "boring" instrument. Catch him in Vancouver this week performing some of his signature soul/jazz fusion-y grooves. Funk's not dead!
02/17/2017 Vancouver, BC – Rickshaw Theatre with guests
Wavelength Music Festival
Flexing Toronto music's best underground picks, Wavelength's annual music festival will be kicking off this Friday (February 17). Running throughout the weekend, this 2017 showcase will feature TOPS, Phèdre, DIANA, Julie Doiron & the Wrong Guys, Fake Palms and more. Exclaim! and Girls Rock Camp Toronto will be co-presenting the matinee show on Saturday (February 18), which will include WLMRT, Peeling and Strands. The weekend will cap off with a "Drone Brunch." Visit the official website to find out more.
02/17-19/2017 Toronto, ON - Multiple Venues
Visit Exclaim!'s Concert Listings for more upcoming shows.
As per usual, we've done some of the heavy lifting for you by compiling our weekly Can't Miss Concerts (February 16 to 22) below, but to see everything happening this coming week, head to our Concert Listings for more.
Cloud Nothings
Though you've only had your hands on Cloud Nothings' latest LP, Life Without Sound, for less than a month now, you can catch your favourites of their fresh new riffs this week — along with some old ones, of course. The Cleveland-based indie rockers have one last Canadian date in Vancouver before heading off on the rest of their international tour.
02/16/2017 Vancouver, BC – Biltmore Cabaret
Japandroids
Japandroids aren't the silent type, so when a few years crept by after their 2012 album Celebration Rock, and there was news of a new album, fans learned to expect fireworks. The Vancouver garage rockers have crafted each album to come in and out like a lion, and that's exactly what you can expect this week in Toronto at their shows in support of Near to the Wild Heart of Life. The nights will be opened by the Hold Steady's own Craig Finn, so get ready for some heart sweats and rock anthems.
02/17/2017 Toronto, ON – Danforth Music Hall with Craig Finn
02/18/2017 Toronto, ON – Danforth Music Hall with Craig Finn
Kid Koala
Montreal turntable master Kid Koala appears to be taking the live show experience to another level, hosting an interactive turntable setup for each audience and coining it a "Turntable Orchestra." The record-scratching stalwart will be in Ottawa this week as he continues his "Satellite Concert" tour, poised and ready to get fans' creative juices flowing.
02/16/2017 Ottawa, ON – National Arts Centre
02/17/2017 Ottawa, ON – National Arts Centre
02/18/2017 Ottawa, ON – National Arts Centre (matinee)
02/18/2017 Ottawa, ON – National Arts Centre
Mozart's Sister
Synth-pop sweetheart Caila Thompson-Hannant is rolling out her new LP Field of Love this week, and you can catch the album release show at her hometown show in Montreal. If you give Mozart's Sister's teaser tracks a listen, they should give you a taste of the truly danceable pop that will ensue. Mozart's Sister shows have been known to draw quite the crowd, so best to grab a ticket early. The shows will be kicked off with British Columbia-based electro-popper Teen Daze.
02/17/2017 Montreal, QC – Arbutus HQ with Teen Daze
02/18/2017 Toronto, ON – Bambi's with Teen Daze
Run the Jewels
Hip-hop icons Run the Jewels dropped Run the Jewels 3 down the chimney this past December, and now the fiery duo (Killer Mike and El-P) have kicked off the new year with a wealth of tour dates in support. Garnering and maintaining a reputation of raw chemistry and dynamism, the pair will hit the stage twice this week with the Gaslamp Killer, so you can see for yourself.
02/19/2017 Toronto, ON – Danforth Music Hall with the Gaslamp Killer
02/21/2017 Montreal, QC – M Telus with the Gaslamp Killer
Thundercat
By the end of the week, Los Angeles-based producer and bass guru Thundercat will have a whopping 23 new tracks out, in the form of his fourth studio album, Drunk. If you've never seen the man live, get set for some bass-shredding solos that will make you re-think rock's most "boring" instrument. Catch him in Vancouver this week performing some of his signature soul/jazz fusion-y grooves. Funk's not dead!
02/17/2017 Vancouver, BC – Rickshaw Theatre with guests
Wavelength Music Festival
Flexing Toronto music's best underground picks, Wavelength's annual music festival will be kicking off this Friday (February 17). Running throughout the weekend, this 2017 showcase will feature TOPS, Phèdre, DIANA, Julie Doiron & the Wrong Guys, Fake Palms and more. Exclaim! and Girls Rock Camp Toronto will be co-presenting the matinee show on Saturday (February 18), which will include WLMRT, Peeling and Strands. The weekend will cap off with a "Drone Brunch." Visit the official website to find out more.
02/17-19/2017 Toronto, ON - Multiple Venues
Visit Exclaim!'s Concert Listings for more upcoming shows.