With festival season in full swing, there is no shortage of concerts to keep your eyes and ears satisfied. But not sure what to check out? Well, here are our top concert picks in Vancouver, Calgary, Toronto and Montreal.
Vancouver
Thursday, July 14
Longtime friends Torquil Campbell and Chris Dumont will be taking their musical collaboration, Memphis, on the road again and playing a handful of dates in support of their most recent album Here Comes A City. You may recall the name Torquil Campbell, as he's been a pretty busy musician as of late. A permanent member of Stars, he's also released music with his other side-project Dead Child Star. With all that creative energy needing to be released, you can bet Campbell will ensure that this Memphis show doesn't disappoint.
Memphis
$14 advance at the Media Club
Friday, July 15
Choosing to take their current tour outside, including a string of festival appearances, the Tragically Hip will be setting up their stage in the middle Deer Lake Park. With their supporting acts varying throughout the short tour, Hey Rosetta! is the band of choice for this particular gig.
The Tragically Hip
Hey Rosetta!
$59.50 at Deer Lake Park
Monday, July 18
This Monday marks the beginning of the North American leg of Memory Tapes' tour. New Jersey-based Dayve Hawk will be performing tracks from his newest release Player Piano and will be bringing his self-proclaimed "psychedelic girl group music" to audiences across the nation. Bringing along the sonically complementary Sleep ∞ Over and local Vancity act Dbl Dragon, you'd be hard pressed to find a better way to spend your evening.
Memory Tapes
SLEEP ∞ OVER
Dbl Dragon
$13 advance at Electric Owl
Calgary
Friday, July 15
As the "greatest outdoor show on Earth" begins to wrap up, there are still a few free shows gracing the Calgary Stampede's Coca-Cola Stage. Nova Scotian act the Trews are sure to be a crowd pleaser with their particular brand of rock and unbridled energy. So if you decide to take in the western-themed expo and are in need of a break from all things country, make sure to stop by and watch these guys in action.
The Trews
Free show with $15 general park admission at the Coca-Cola Stage as part of the Calgary Stampede
Saturday, July 16
Before disbanding in 1992, the Grapes of Wrath had found themselves the proud owners of a gold and a platinum record and produced such hits as "You May Be Right" and "I Am Here." After over ten years of the original lineup calling it quits, the band re-emerged last year and have been playing shows ever since. So head on down to Dickens Pub to experience Canadian music history.
The Grapes of Wrath
Mallard
Waterbreak
TBA at Dickens Pub
Toronto
Thursday, July 14
For fans of hardcore punk bands, the name Wesley Eisold should ring a bell, acting as the frontman for American Nightmare/Give Up the Ghost back in the early 2000s. Having since shifted his musical focus to incorporate more synthesizer and fewer throw-down-inducing riffs, Eisold has established Cold Cave and earned his new endeavour quite the following. You definitely don't want to miss the opportunity to soak in the hardcore alumnus's dance-y new sound.
Cold Cave
Cult of Youth
$15 advance, $18 door at the Legendary Horseshoe Tavern
Friday, July 15
If you're looking for a spectacle then look no further than the Horseshoe Tavern this weekend. Legendary Detroit group the Dirtbombs will be taking to the stage with their two drum kits, and unique blend of garage rock and soul. The act are well known for their live performance and have toured with the likes of TV on the Radio, the Yeah Yeah Yeahs and the Black Lips. So pencil this gig in for your Friday night and get ready to be impressed.
The Dirtbombs
The Speaking Tongues
$15 advance, $18 door at the Legendary Horseshoe Tavern
Saturday, July 16
The Japanese duo of Yuka Honda and Miho Hatori earned success in the late '90s as Cibo Matto. With their lyrical obsession with food -- their band name literally translating to "crazy food" in Italian -- the pair originally reformed to play a benefit concert for this year's disaster in Japan. Now back on a full-fledged reunion tour, Cibo Matto will be hitting Toronto as their final Canadian stop amidst the remaining scheduled dates.
Cibo Matto
Tony Castles
$20 advance, $25 door at Lee's Palace
Montreal
Thursday, July 14
Before the Dirtbombs hit up Toronto with their impressive stage presence, they'll be making a stop at La Sala Rossa. Teaming up with the vintage rock'n'roll vibe of Le Kid & Les Marinellis and live electronic duo Moon Pool & Dead Band, the diversity of the lineup will cater to the interests of many, making this an unmissable show.
The Dirtbombs
Moon Pool & Dead Band
Le Kid & Les Marinellis $20 at La Sala Rossa
Friday, July 15 to Sunday, July 17
Montreal's very own Kid Koala will be embarking on his Space Cadet Headphone Tour at the Biosphère de Montréal. Comprised of five shows spanning July 15 to 17, the event will find the audience getting comfortable in inflatable "space pods" and listening to the performance through individual headphones. A gallery exhibition featuring interactive installations and even the opportunity to decorate your own gingerbread space cookies, will be held prior to the concert. For an entertainment experience unlike any other, pick up tickets for one of these shows as soon as you can.
Kid Koala
Terence Bernardo
$30.15 at Biosphère de Montréal
Saturday, July 16
Now in its 16th year, the Vans Warped Tour has been making its way across North America all summer and will be hitting up Montreal this weekend. Originally a mecca for fans of the punk rock persuasion, the one-day festival has seen an increase in the diversity of its lineup over the years. This year it features acts such as the Devil Wears Prada, Dance Gavin Dance, Lucero and Yelawolf, among others.
Vans Warped Tour 2011
A Day to Remember
30H!3
August Burns Red
and more
$49 at Parc Jean Drapeau
Vancouver
Thursday, July 14
Longtime friends Torquil Campbell and Chris Dumont will be taking their musical collaboration, Memphis, on the road again and playing a handful of dates in support of their most recent album Here Comes A City. You may recall the name Torquil Campbell, as he's been a pretty busy musician as of late. A permanent member of Stars, he's also released music with his other side-project Dead Child Star. With all that creative energy needing to be released, you can bet Campbell will ensure that this Memphis show doesn't disappoint.
Memphis
$14 advance at the Media Club
Friday, July 15
Choosing to take their current tour outside, including a string of festival appearances, the Tragically Hip will be setting up their stage in the middle Deer Lake Park. With their supporting acts varying throughout the short tour, Hey Rosetta! is the band of choice for this particular gig.
The Tragically Hip
Hey Rosetta!
$59.50 at Deer Lake Park
Monday, July 18
This Monday marks the beginning of the North American leg of Memory Tapes' tour. New Jersey-based Dayve Hawk will be performing tracks from his newest release Player Piano and will be bringing his self-proclaimed "psychedelic girl group music" to audiences across the nation. Bringing along the sonically complementary Sleep ∞ Over and local Vancity act Dbl Dragon, you'd be hard pressed to find a better way to spend your evening.
Memory Tapes
SLEEP ∞ OVER
Dbl Dragon
$13 advance at Electric Owl
Calgary
Friday, July 15
As the "greatest outdoor show on Earth" begins to wrap up, there are still a few free shows gracing the Calgary Stampede's Coca-Cola Stage. Nova Scotian act the Trews are sure to be a crowd pleaser with their particular brand of rock and unbridled energy. So if you decide to take in the western-themed expo and are in need of a break from all things country, make sure to stop by and watch these guys in action.
The Trews
Free show with $15 general park admission at the Coca-Cola Stage as part of the Calgary Stampede
Saturday, July 16
Before disbanding in 1992, the Grapes of Wrath had found themselves the proud owners of a gold and a platinum record and produced such hits as "You May Be Right" and "I Am Here." After over ten years of the original lineup calling it quits, the band re-emerged last year and have been playing shows ever since. So head on down to Dickens Pub to experience Canadian music history.
The Grapes of Wrath
Mallard
Waterbreak
TBA at Dickens Pub
Toronto
Thursday, July 14
For fans of hardcore punk bands, the name Wesley Eisold should ring a bell, acting as the frontman for American Nightmare/Give Up the Ghost back in the early 2000s. Having since shifted his musical focus to incorporate more synthesizer and fewer throw-down-inducing riffs, Eisold has established Cold Cave and earned his new endeavour quite the following. You definitely don't want to miss the opportunity to soak in the hardcore alumnus's dance-y new sound.
Cold Cave
Cult of Youth
$15 advance, $18 door at the Legendary Horseshoe Tavern
Friday, July 15
If you're looking for a spectacle then look no further than the Horseshoe Tavern this weekend. Legendary Detroit group the Dirtbombs will be taking to the stage with their two drum kits, and unique blend of garage rock and soul. The act are well known for their live performance and have toured with the likes of TV on the Radio, the Yeah Yeah Yeahs and the Black Lips. So pencil this gig in for your Friday night and get ready to be impressed.
The Dirtbombs
The Speaking Tongues
$15 advance, $18 door at the Legendary Horseshoe Tavern
Saturday, July 16
The Japanese duo of Yuka Honda and Miho Hatori earned success in the late '90s as Cibo Matto. With their lyrical obsession with food -- their band name literally translating to "crazy food" in Italian -- the pair originally reformed to play a benefit concert for this year's disaster in Japan. Now back on a full-fledged reunion tour, Cibo Matto will be hitting Toronto as their final Canadian stop amidst the remaining scheduled dates.
Cibo Matto
Tony Castles
$20 advance, $25 door at Lee's Palace
Montreal
Thursday, July 14
Before the Dirtbombs hit up Toronto with their impressive stage presence, they'll be making a stop at La Sala Rossa. Teaming up with the vintage rock'n'roll vibe of Le Kid & Les Marinellis and live electronic duo Moon Pool & Dead Band, the diversity of the lineup will cater to the interests of many, making this an unmissable show.
The Dirtbombs
Moon Pool & Dead Band
Le Kid & Les Marinellis $20 at La Sala Rossa
Friday, July 15 to Sunday, July 17
Montreal's very own Kid Koala will be embarking on his Space Cadet Headphone Tour at the Biosphère de Montréal. Comprised of five shows spanning July 15 to 17, the event will find the audience getting comfortable in inflatable "space pods" and listening to the performance through individual headphones. A gallery exhibition featuring interactive installations and even the opportunity to decorate your own gingerbread space cookies, will be held prior to the concert. For an entertainment experience unlike any other, pick up tickets for one of these shows as soon as you can.
Kid Koala
Terence Bernardo
$30.15 at Biosphère de Montréal
Saturday, July 16
Now in its 16th year, the Vans Warped Tour has been making its way across North America all summer and will be hitting up Montreal this weekend. Originally a mecca for fans of the punk rock persuasion, the one-day festival has seen an increase in the diversity of its lineup over the years. This year it features acts such as the Devil Wears Prada, Dance Gavin Dance, Lucero and Yelawolf, among others.
Vans Warped Tour 2011
A Day to Remember
30H!3
August Burns Red
and more
$49 at Parc Jean Drapeau
