The Smashing Pumpkins, Dan Deacon, Waka Flocka Flame and Swans Lead This Week's Can't Miss Concerts

The week leading up to October 31 always means Halloween-themed parties and concerts. Exclaim! is here to help you figure out which shows to check out and which of them you should dress up for. Take a look at this week's concert picks for Vancouver, Calgary, Toronto and Montreal below.

Vancouver

Thursday, October 25
Austin minimalist instrumental ensemble Balmorhea will be at the Rickshaw Theatre on Thursday night promoting their latest album, Stranger, which was released earlier this month. The orchestrally-inclined Christopher Smith will take the stage as opening support.

Balmorhea
Christopher Smith
$10 advance at the Rickshaw Theatre

Friday, October 26
Electronic songsmith Dan Deacon released America earlier this year, which features a split of pop music and experimental songs that paint metaphors of the U.S. To show off his latest sounds, Deacon will make a Vancouver stop at the Biltmore Cabaret on Friday.

Dan Deacon
Heights With Friends
Chester Endersby Gwazda
Alan Resdick
$15 advance at Biltmore Cabaret

Monday, October 29
Waka Flocka Flame will bring his party rap to Vancouver's Commodore Ballroom on Monday. The rapper released Triple F Life: Friends, Fans & Family, as well as a mixtape titled Salute Me or Shoot Me 4 (Banned From America) this year. This stop is one of only two Canadian dates on his tour. This isn't a Halloween show, but it's close enough that nobody would blame you if you showed up in a giant rooster costume.

Waka Flocka Flame
$36.50 at Commodore Ballroom

Calgary

Thursday, October 25
Ontario folk outfit Sunparlour Players are currently on their first cross-Canadian tour in three years. They have cooked up some new tunes that will definitely see the light of day at the Palomino on Thursday. Joining them are Ontario's Kalle Mattson and the Karpinka Brothers.

Sunparlour Players
Kalle Mattson
The Karpinka Brothers
$10 advance, $12 door at the Palomino

Friday, October 26
If you're looking for a Halloween party, HiFi Club is throwing the DFA Records Halloween party with Irish producer Shit Robot. Joining him is Calgary's Wax Romeo, along with other guests who will make you dance in whatever bulky costume you're wearing.

Shit Robot
Wax Romeo
Amac
DJ Reece
$12 advance at HiFi Club

Saturday, October 27
Hamilton, ON's Monster Truck will be bringing their signature hard rock to the Gateway on Saturday in support of their Don't Fuck with the Truck collection, out November 13. Joining them on the bill is One Bad Son and Double Fuzz, so if you like things loud, this is a show not to miss.

Monster Truck
One Bad Son
Double Fuzz
$10 advance, $15 door at the Gateway

Toronto

Thursday, October 25
The Smashing Pumpkins are on their first major Canadian tour in 10 years and will hit up the Air Canada Centre on Thursday. They are expected to play newer material from Oceania, as well as a set of classics and deep cuts. Come see what shenanigans Billy Corgan will get up to.

The Smashing Pumpkins
$39.50 to $79.50 at Air Canada Centre

Friday, October 26
Do Right! Music has been representing some of the best jazz, soul, funk and hip-hop on the planet for 10 years, and on Friday, the imprint will celebrate their anniversary at the Great Hall. London-based DJ legend Gilles Peterson will make an appearance, and the night will also feature performances by Movement Collective, Maylee Todd and the Slakadeliqs. There definitely will be some movement on the dancefloor.

Gilles Peterson
Movement Collective
Maylee Todd
The Slakadeliqs
$25 advance at the Great Hall

Saturday, October 27
Wrongbar is throwing their 2012 Halloween Death Disco on Saturday with DFA's the Juan Maclean and Shit Robot. If you're looking for a reason to dress up in Toronto, make this the one.

The Juan Maclean (DJ set)
Shit Robot
Wheel Wells
$15 advance at Wrongbar

Montreal

Thursday, October 25
Punk band Departures received Exclaim!'s rating system's first 8 for their show in Winnipeg and accumulated many mixed feelings in the process. They will be swinging by Il Motore on Thursday, so you can judge for yourself.

Departures
Cannon Bros
$5 at Il Motore

Friday, October 25
Swans released their two-hour-long epic The Seer this year through Young God Records. In support of their latest exercise in noise, the post-punk outfit are currently on an extensive North American tour and will make their way to La Tulipe on Friday.

Swans
A Hawk and a Hacksaw
$20 advance, $25 door at La Tulipe

Sunday, October 28
After playing live in Toronto, the Smashing Pumpkins will take over the Bell Centre in Montreal on Sunday. Be there to hear some new songs off of Oceania, as well as some old favourites.

The Smashing Pumpkins
$58 to $73 at Bell Centre