Summer may be coming to an end, but don't fret. There's still some top-notch shows coming your way this week. If you need a bit of help in narrowing down your options, then here are our top concert picks for Vancouver, Calgary, Toronto and Montreal.
Vancouver
Friday, August 26 and Saturday, August 27
Most festivals focus on cramming in as many fans and as many acts as possible into one space. Rock of the Woods Festival is the opposite, focusing on quality over quantity. Located in Bamberton, BC on Vancouver Island, the festival is headlined by acts like Plants and Animals and Chad VanGaalen.
Plants and Animals
Chad VanGaalen
Mohawk Lodge
Sun Wizard
$65 to $100 at Bamberton campgrounds
Saturday, August 27
Shabazz Palaces have been building hype for the last few months, amazing many with their offbeat and progressive take on hip-hop. Now Vancouverites are lucky enough to witness Shabazz Palaces live in concert. The show is at Fortune Sound Club and is supported by Vancouver locals Elekwent Folk.
Shabazz Palaces
Elekwent Folk
DJ Nina Mendoza
$13 at the Fortune Sound Club
Calgary
Thursday, August 25
Ontario native Serena Ryder will bring her brand of folk and country to Calgary tonight. She is playing the Shaw Amphitheatre at the Banff Centre and fellow Ontario natives the Beauties are opening for her. Fans of homegrown folk and country in Calgary are in for a real treat.
Serena Ryder
The Beauties
$22.50 to $28 at Shaw Amphitheatre - Banff Centre
Saturday, August 27
American rapper extraordinaire J. Cole is in the midst of a world tour supporting his upcoming album Cole World: The Sideline Story. So if you're eager to hear what Cole has cookin', now is your chance.
J. Cole
$35 to $45 at Flames Central
Sunday, August 28
Blink-182 are reunited to the amazement of everyone's inner 15-year-old. Their newest album Neighborhoods is set to be released on September 27. In the meantime, Blink-182 are bringing their pop-punk energy to Calgary on Sunday night with the help of Against Me! and Rancid.
Blink-182
Rancid
Against Me!
$72.50 to $87.50 at the Scotiabank Saddledome
Toronto
Thursday, August 25
Toronto math rockers Greys will be bringing their fury to Sneaky Dee's in support of their latest release, Ultra Sorta. After an extensive North American tour, Greys are finally returning home before setting out again for more Ontario shows.
Greys
TBD at Sneaky Dee's
Friday, August 26
Montreal-based Colin Stetson has garnered much acclaim recently. In fact, his album New History Warfare Vol. 2: Judges has even been nominated for the Polaris Music Prize. Now, he is bringing his show to the Drake Hotel Underground with the support of Emily Wells.
Colin Stetson
Emily Wells
$12 at the Drake Hotel Underground
Montreal
Thursday, August 25
Obscure Toronto electronic artist Doldrums and noise rockers Zorch are playing the Bazaar at O Patro Vys in Montreal. These acts are sure to excite and confuse their audience, with VHS loops and noise. This show is sure to be a memorable experience.
Doldrums
Zorch
$7 at the Bazaar at O Patro Vys
Vancouver
Friday, August 26 and Saturday, August 27
Most festivals focus on cramming in as many fans and as many acts as possible into one space. Rock of the Woods Festival is the opposite, focusing on quality over quantity. Located in Bamberton, BC on Vancouver Island, the festival is headlined by acts like Plants and Animals and Chad VanGaalen.
Plants and Animals
Chad VanGaalen
Mohawk Lodge
Sun Wizard
$65 to $100 at Bamberton campgrounds
Saturday, August 27
Shabazz Palaces have been building hype for the last few months, amazing many with their offbeat and progressive take on hip-hop. Now Vancouverites are lucky enough to witness Shabazz Palaces live in concert. The show is at Fortune Sound Club and is supported by Vancouver locals Elekwent Folk.
Shabazz Palaces
Elekwent Folk
DJ Nina Mendoza
$13 at the Fortune Sound Club
Calgary
Thursday, August 25
Ontario native Serena Ryder will bring her brand of folk and country to Calgary tonight. She is playing the Shaw Amphitheatre at the Banff Centre and fellow Ontario natives the Beauties are opening for her. Fans of homegrown folk and country in Calgary are in for a real treat.
Serena Ryder
The Beauties
$22.50 to $28 at Shaw Amphitheatre - Banff Centre
Saturday, August 27
American rapper extraordinaire J. Cole is in the midst of a world tour supporting his upcoming album Cole World: The Sideline Story. So if you're eager to hear what Cole has cookin', now is your chance.
J. Cole
$35 to $45 at Flames Central
Sunday, August 28
Blink-182 are reunited to the amazement of everyone's inner 15-year-old. Their newest album Neighborhoods is set to be released on September 27. In the meantime, Blink-182 are bringing their pop-punk energy to Calgary on Sunday night with the help of Against Me! and Rancid.
Blink-182
Rancid
Against Me!
$72.50 to $87.50 at the Scotiabank Saddledome
Toronto
Thursday, August 25
Toronto math rockers Greys will be bringing their fury to Sneaky Dee's in support of their latest release, Ultra Sorta. After an extensive North American tour, Greys are finally returning home before setting out again for more Ontario shows.
Greys
TBD at Sneaky Dee's
Friday, August 26
Montreal-based Colin Stetson has garnered much acclaim recently. In fact, his album New History Warfare Vol. 2: Judges has even been nominated for the Polaris Music Prize. Now, he is bringing his show to the Drake Hotel Underground with the support of Emily Wells.
Colin Stetson
Emily Wells
$12 at the Drake Hotel Underground
Montreal
Thursday, August 25
Obscure Toronto electronic artist Doldrums and noise rockers Zorch are playing the Bazaar at O Patro Vys in Montreal. These acts are sure to excite and confuse their audience, with VHS loops and noise. This show is sure to be a memorable experience.
Doldrums
Zorch
$7 at the Bazaar at O Patro Vys
