This week, as always, Exclaim! has compiled a list of shows worth checking out across the country. Here are our picks for this week in Vancouver, Calgary, Toronto and Montreal.
Vancouver
Thursday, November 24
Retro-sounding Winnipeg duo Imaginary Cities will be bringing their catchy throwback sound to the West Coast as part of their current North American tour. They've been handpicked to open for both the Pixies and the Sea and Cake for some American dates midway through the tour, so chances are they'll be putting on a heck of a show.
Imaginary Cities
$15 at the Biltmore Cabaret
Friday, November 25
Storied Vancouver indie label Mint Records is celebrating its 20th anniversary in style with a party at the Waldorf on Friday night. There will be a packed bill featuring the likes of Nardwuar's Evaporators, Hot Panda, Kellarissa and Fanshaw. On top of that, there will be reunion sets galore by Neko Case's former band Maow, the Gay, Pluto and Operation Makeout, not to mention a psuedo Cub reunion. Seriously, what more do you need?
Mint Records 20th Anniversary Party
The Evaporators
Maow
Hot Panda
The Gay
Pluto
Operation Makeout
$12 advance, $15 door at the Waldorf Hotel
Saturday, November 26
Wild man Andrew W.K. will undoubtedly be putting on an energetic set when he rolls through Vancouver this weekend. The party rocker recently released a brand new track called "Go Go Go" and will be sure to get the crowds riled up in Vancouver. Aleister X, Keep Tidy and Oh no! Yoko are billed in the opening slots.
Andrew W.K.
Aleister X
Keep Tidy
Oh no! Yoko
$23 at the Rickshaw Theatre
Calgary
Thursday, November 24
Toronto band the Midway State have done everything from opening for Death Cab for Cutie to collaborating with Lady Gaga. They released their second full-length record Paris or India back in the summer and will be promoting the album with a stop in Calgary. Shawn Hook will be the supporting act.
The Midway State
Shawn Hook
$23 at the Gateway
Friday, November 25
Making a name for themselves in the 1990s hip-hop scene, Queens, NY group Onyx haven't released too much new material in the last couple years, but they're still active on the live circuit. Fans can catch them at Calgary's Distillery Public House this weekend to hopefully hear some classics and maybe even new material.
Onyx
$23 at the Distillery Public House
Saturday, November 26
California stoner metal band Kyuss have reformed as Kyuss Lives! (sans Josh Homme) and are currently on tour, despite not having released new material since 1995. Fans will surely be treated to favourites from the back catalogue at the band's stop in Calgary.
Kyuss Lives!
$32 to $36 at Flames Central
Toronto
Thursday, November 24
Declaring themselves the kings of hip-hop with this year's Watch the Throne, Jay-Z and Kanye West will be making a highly anticipated appearance in Toronto. The set is slated to include tracks from the aforementioned collaborative album, as well as favourites from both rappers back catalogues. Get ready to put your diamonds up.
The Throne Tour
Jay-Z
Kanye West
$60 to $250 at Air Canada Centre
Friday, November 25
Atlanta, GA sludge metal heroes Mastodon released their fifth album, The Hunter, a couple months back and are now touring in support of the recent release. Opening for them are New Jersey's Dillinger Escape Plan and Red Fang from Portland, OR, promising a heavy-sounding night.
Mastodon
Dillinger Escape Plan
Red Fang
$26 at Kool Haus
Friday, November 25 / Saturday, November 26
The ever-flamboyant Prince will be returning to Toronto, the city he once called home, for a couple stops on his "Welcome 2 Canada" tour. Sure to wow crowds with a career-spanning set list and extravagant stage show, this is a concert Prince fans won't want to miss.
Prince
$50 to $250 at Air Canada Centre
Montreal
Thursday, November 24
Thursday night will be a big one for nostalgic fans of heavy metal, as Judas Priest take to the stage. The legendary British band will no doubt be playing old favourites from their decade-spanning career. Black Label Society, led by Zakk Wylde, will be playing an opening set, as will Irish rock vets Thin Lizzy.
Judas Priest
Black Label Society
Thin Lizzy
$63 to $78 at Bell Centre
Saturday, November 26
East Coast darlings Hey Rosetta! will be continuing their Canadian "Yer Fall" tour in support of this year's Polaris-shortlisted album Seeds, with a Montreal date on Saturday night. The Jezabels continue to support Hey Rosetta!, and folky Seattle indie popsters Ivan & Alyosha are also on the bill.
Hey Rosetta!
The Jezabels
Ivan & Alyosha
$22.50 advance, $25 door at Corona Theatre
Sunday, November 27
You can close out your weekend by heading over to Club Soda to check out Wu-Tang Clan's Ghostface Killah. While release dates for the upcoming album Blue and Cream and Supreme Clientele Part II are still hazy, the MC has definitely been hard at work compiling new material. Canadian hip-hopper Peter Jackson will be providing support, as will Wu-Tang affiliates Sheek Louch and Killah Priest.
Ghostface Killah
Peter Jackson
Sheek Louch
Killah Priest
$39.87 advance, $45 door at Club Soda
Vancouver
Thursday, November 24
Retro-sounding Winnipeg duo Imaginary Cities will be bringing their catchy throwback sound to the West Coast as part of their current North American tour. They've been handpicked to open for both the Pixies and the Sea and Cake for some American dates midway through the tour, so chances are they'll be putting on a heck of a show.
Imaginary Cities
$15 at the Biltmore Cabaret
Friday, November 25
Storied Vancouver indie label Mint Records is celebrating its 20th anniversary in style with a party at the Waldorf on Friday night. There will be a packed bill featuring the likes of Nardwuar's Evaporators, Hot Panda, Kellarissa and Fanshaw. On top of that, there will be reunion sets galore by Neko Case's former band Maow, the Gay, Pluto and Operation Makeout, not to mention a psuedo Cub reunion. Seriously, what more do you need?
Mint Records 20th Anniversary Party
The Evaporators
Maow
Hot Panda
The Gay
Pluto
Operation Makeout
$12 advance, $15 door at the Waldorf Hotel
Saturday, November 26
Wild man Andrew W.K. will undoubtedly be putting on an energetic set when he rolls through Vancouver this weekend. The party rocker recently released a brand new track called "Go Go Go" and will be sure to get the crowds riled up in Vancouver. Aleister X, Keep Tidy and Oh no! Yoko are billed in the opening slots.
Andrew W.K.
Aleister X
Keep Tidy
Oh no! Yoko
$23 at the Rickshaw Theatre
Calgary
Thursday, November 24
Toronto band the Midway State have done everything from opening for Death Cab for Cutie to collaborating with Lady Gaga. They released their second full-length record Paris or India back in the summer and will be promoting the album with a stop in Calgary. Shawn Hook will be the supporting act.
The Midway State
Shawn Hook
$23 at the Gateway
Friday, November 25
Making a name for themselves in the 1990s hip-hop scene, Queens, NY group Onyx haven't released too much new material in the last couple years, but they're still active on the live circuit. Fans can catch them at Calgary's Distillery Public House this weekend to hopefully hear some classics and maybe even new material.
Onyx
$23 at the Distillery Public House
Saturday, November 26
California stoner metal band Kyuss have reformed as Kyuss Lives! (sans Josh Homme) and are currently on tour, despite not having released new material since 1995. Fans will surely be treated to favourites from the back catalogue at the band's stop in Calgary.
Kyuss Lives!
$32 to $36 at Flames Central
Toronto
Thursday, November 24
Declaring themselves the kings of hip-hop with this year's Watch the Throne, Jay-Z and Kanye West will be making a highly anticipated appearance in Toronto. The set is slated to include tracks from the aforementioned collaborative album, as well as favourites from both rappers back catalogues. Get ready to put your diamonds up.
The Throne Tour
Jay-Z
Kanye West
$60 to $250 at Air Canada Centre
Friday, November 25
Atlanta, GA sludge metal heroes Mastodon released their fifth album, The Hunter, a couple months back and are now touring in support of the recent release. Opening for them are New Jersey's Dillinger Escape Plan and Red Fang from Portland, OR, promising a heavy-sounding night.
Mastodon
Dillinger Escape Plan
Red Fang
$26 at Kool Haus
Friday, November 25 / Saturday, November 26
The ever-flamboyant Prince will be returning to Toronto, the city he once called home, for a couple stops on his "Welcome 2 Canada" tour. Sure to wow crowds with a career-spanning set list and extravagant stage show, this is a concert Prince fans won't want to miss.
Prince
$50 to $250 at Air Canada Centre
Montreal
Thursday, November 24
Thursday night will be a big one for nostalgic fans of heavy metal, as Judas Priest take to the stage. The legendary British band will no doubt be playing old favourites from their decade-spanning career. Black Label Society, led by Zakk Wylde, will be playing an opening set, as will Irish rock vets Thin Lizzy.
Judas Priest
Black Label Society
Thin Lizzy
$63 to $78 at Bell Centre
Saturday, November 26
East Coast darlings Hey Rosetta! will be continuing their Canadian "Yer Fall" tour in support of this year's Polaris-shortlisted album Seeds, with a Montreal date on Saturday night. The Jezabels continue to support Hey Rosetta!, and folky Seattle indie popsters Ivan & Alyosha are also on the bill.
Hey Rosetta!
The Jezabels
Ivan & Alyosha
$22.50 advance, $25 door at Corona Theatre
Sunday, November 27
You can close out your weekend by heading over to Club Soda to check out Wu-Tang Clan's Ghostface Killah. While release dates for the upcoming album Blue and Cream and Supreme Clientele Part II are still hazy, the MC has definitely been hard at work compiling new material. Canadian hip-hopper Peter Jackson will be providing support, as will Wu-Tang affiliates Sheek Louch and Killah Priest.
Ghostface Killah
Peter Jackson
Sheek Louch
Killah Priest
$39.87 advance, $45 door at Club Soda
