All Posts Tagged With: "5 shows"
Can’t miss campus shows (Dec. 6th to 12th edition)
This week: Amos The Transparent, Rose Cousins & more
From music video for Sure As The Weather by Amos The Transparent
1. The British Columbians are a five-piece rock band from—where else—B.C. They play The Gateway in Calgary on Dec. 7. Ticket info.
2. One of the most successful alternative acts in the late 1990s, The Watchmen play the legendary Horseshoe Tavern in Toronto on Dec. 7. Ticket info here.
3. The Kitchener-Waterloo-raised Danny Michel is set to play a hometown show at Waterloo’s The Starlight on Thursday, Dec. 6. More info here.
4. Amos the Transparent, Ottawa’s favourite seven-piece indie rock band, play Phog in Windsor, Ont. on Dec. 7. Get there early to catch the terrific Toronto rockers Hands & Teeth. Ticket info.
5. Rose Cousins’ songs may make you cry, but the indie folk darling’s dry humour will keep you laughing through the set. She’ll entertain Haligonians at The Carleton on Monday. Ticket info here.
Check out Amos the Transparent’s excellent single-take video for Sure As The Weather.
This week’s can’t miss shows
Where to catch USS, Propagandhi, Teenage Kicks, Arkells…
From "Lose Your Head" Teenage Kicks (YouTube)
Last Sunday, J. Biebs was booed by thousands of Grey Cup spectators in Toronto. Here are five shows near Canadian campuses this weekend where the crowds should be a little friendlier.
1. USS (Ubiquitous Synergy Seeker) has a knack for crafting dance-ready hits. The Toronto two-piece is teaming up with Hello, Click for a string of dates including at the Seahorse Tavern in Halifax on Dec. 1. Ticket info here.
2. Toronto singer-songwriter Reg Vermue has been performing under the pseudonym Gentleman Reg for more than a decade. He takes his unforgettable folk-pop-dance tunes to Kingston’s Grad Club on Nov. 30 where he’ll be joined by folk-pop gems Inlet Sound. Ticket info.
3. Seven-piece ensemble The Tom Fun Orchestra, self-styled “world famous musicians,” use an eclectic mix and electric and acoustic instruments. These East Coast indie rockers play The Gateway at SAIT in Calgary on on Nov. 29. Ticket info here.
4. Propagandhi has long been revered for their politics-infused punk. They play back-to-back nights at the University of Regina’s Riddell Centre on Nov. 29 and Nov. 30. Ticket info here.
5. Teenage Kicks, Young Rival, The Roxwells and Arkells are worth braving the throngs of extreme sports spectators at the Red Bull Crashed Ice party in Niagara Falls, Ont. not too far from Brock University, on Nov. 30. More info here.
Teenage Kicks offers some advice in this video that’s especially useful this time of year:
Did we miss a show? Let us know in the comments!
This week’s can’t miss music
Where to catch Amelia Curran, Evening Hynms, The Zolas…
AmeliaCurran.com
Is your Facebook feed crawling with essay complaints? Twitter full of 4 a.m. victory celebrations? If so, it must be the homestretch of another semester. Should you need a distraction to get you through, consider starting the weekend off early with one of this week’s can’t miss shows:
1. Singer-songwriter Amelia Curran has just released her new album Spectators. She’s supported by Josh Norton and Joe Nolan at Victoria’s Media Club on Nov. 22. Ticket info here.
2. Alert The Medic is best known for a huge sound, infectious rock anthems and energetic live shows. The Nova Scotia four-piece plays The Mansion in Kingston, Ont. on Nov. 22. Ticket info here.
3. Spectral Dusk, the latest release from folk duo Evening Hymns, is a collection of deeply personal songs dealing with the death of frontman Jonas Bonnetta’s father. Hear them at Baba’s Lounge in Charlottetown, P.E.I. on Nov. 22. Ticket info here.
4. Liam Titcomb, known for his role on CBC’s Wild Roses, moonlights as a folk-rocker. Catch the singer-actor with opener Joshua Hyslop at Calgary’s The Gateway on Nov. 22. Ticket info here.
5. Progressive rockers The Zolas take to the stage of Felicitas Pub in Victoria on Nov. 23. Their raging guitars, kicking drums and 20-something reflections make this one a can’t miss. Ticket info.
Here’s Amelia Curran Singing Black Bird on Fire on BalconyTV in beautiful St. John’s.
Did we miss a show? Let us know in the comments!
Can’t miss campus shows (Nov. 14 to 20)
Where to catch Cookie Duster, Young Rival, Stars…
Cookie Duster's Two Feet Stand Up video (MapleMusicRecordings/YouTube)
Music fans are talking about comedian Brian Ferenzi’s impression of an MTV news executive, who explains in a satirical video why the television station no longer plays music videos. But who needs MTV when you can take in the real thing? Here are five shows worth seeing this week.
1. Cookie Duster was a budding indie rock band in the early 2000s when frontman Brendan Canning’s other band, Broken Social Scene, exploded internationally. With BSS on hiatus, Cookie Duster is back on the front burner. They play Waterloo’s Startlight on Nov. 15. Ticket info.
2. Vancouver quintet Mother Mother have some of the catchiest and quirkiest songs in indie pop. The band is currently trekking across the country with Hannah Georgas, including a Nov. 17 stop at the Multi-Purpose Centre, a five minute stroll from Dalhousie University in Halifax. Ticket info.
Can’t miss campus shows (Nov. 7th to 13th)
Where to see: Darcys, John K. Samson, Julia McDougall…
John K. Samson (smilygrl/Flickr)
With news last week that Cat Power is bankrupt and was forced to cancel a set of tour dates, the need to support independent artists—both large and small—is more apparent than ever. Here are five shows worth supporting this week:
1. Toronto’s art rockers The Darcys are ambitious. Their cover of Steely Dan’s Aja is a testament to that, as is their current tour which showcases their reinterpretation of that moody record. With only three Canadian dates, their Nov. 9 appearance at Zaphod Beeblebrox in Ottawa is a must-see. Info here.
2. After a break up, a make up, and a handful of international music festivals, Death from Above 1979 are back on the road with new songs. The dance-punk duo play Oxygen in Moncton, N.B. on Nov. 9. Ticket info here.
3. After gaining notoriety as the lead singer of The Weakerthans, John K. Samson branched out on his own with the record Provincial. The talk-singer, who is the current writer-in-residence at the University of British Columbia, plays the Chan Centre on campus on Nov. 9. More info here.
This week’s can’t miss campus shows
Where to catch Dan Griffin, The Wooden Sky, Loon Choir…
Dan Griffin tabercil/Flickr
Halloween on a Wednesday begs the question: which weekend do you party? If you stayed in last week, there’s still plenty of time to cut eye holes out of an old white sheet, call it a costume, and take in a show. You may or may not be the only one dressed up. Here are this week’s five can’t miss shows. Costumes are optional.
1. Best known as the keyboardist for Arkells, Dan Griffin is a compelling solo artist too. The ‘Leave Your Love’ singer teams up with Zeus for a show at Queen’s University’s The Grad Club on Nov. 2. Ticket info here. (Click over to Griffin’s site for a free download.)
2. Power-pop trio Young Rival celebrate the release of Stay Young at a local bar, the Casbah, tonight. The Hamilton natives are supported by the terrific Great Bloomers. Ticket info here.
Can’t miss campus shows (Oct. 24th to 30th)
Dan Mangan, Rural Alberta Advantage, Poor Young Things…
The Rural Alberta Advantage (blikeng/Flickr)
Here at U. Ottawa, classes are in recess for the fall semester break, but those stuck in classrooms elsewhere in Canada also have something to look forward to this week—besides midterms. Indie bands have fanned out across the nation. Here are five of the week’s best musical distractions:
1. Little more than a year after Oh Fortune, his third full-length release, Dan Mangan is back with a fresh EP, Radicals. The tireless troubadour heads back out on tour with Toronto’s The Rural Alberta Advantage, playing the University of Guelph’s Peter Clark Hall on Oct. 26. Ticket info is here. Act quickly—this is guaranteed to sell out.
Continue reading Can’t miss campus shows (Oct. 24th to 30th)
This week’s can’t miss campus gigs (Oct. 17 to 23 edition)
Where to hear Born Ruffians, Romantics, Stanfields…
Luke Lalonde (ElfieTakesPictures/Flickr)
For those who can’t make it to Halifax Pop Explosion’s 20th anniversary festival this week, there are record release parties and intimate in-store performances that may be closer to you. Here are this week’s can’t miss shows:
1. Though they only have one full-length release under their indie-pop belts, the infectious Elwins are already well on their way to becoming indie pop stars. They team up with Born Ruffians and yet-unnamed special guests as a part of Halifax Pop Explosion on Oct. 17. More info here.
2. The Romantics’ just-released album from Toronto’s Inlet Sound synthesizes rising melancholy and grand orchestral impluses. Be sure to catch the atmospheric folk group’s CD release party at the Horseshoe Tavern—a definite “I saw them when…” gig. More info here.
3. Aidan Knight, fresh off his second release, Small Reveal, which features the infectious folk jam Mirrors, will take on The Artful Dodger in Regina on Oct. 23. Get there early to catch Montreal singer-songwriter Leif Vollebekk. Ticket info here.
4. The Stanfields wear their hard rock influences proudly. The unpretentious working-class rock quintet from Halifax plays The Gateway at SAIT in Calgary on Oct 17. Ticket info here.
5. St. Thomas and University of New Brunswick students who are tired of the bar scene should try to catch a free in-store performance by Toronto’s Hands & Teeth at the Reneu Boutique in Fredericton on Oct. 18. The stripped-down acoustic set kicks off at 5:00 p.m. More info here.
Halifax Pop Explosions won’t be the first time Born Ruffians’ Luke Lalonde and the loveable lads of The Elwins cross paths. They collaborated on this cover of Beyonce’s Countdown. Check it out:
Did we miss a show? Let us know in the comments!
Can’t-miss campus shows (Oct. 10 to 17)
Where to catch the Balconies, Matt Mays, Basia Bulat…
Jacquie Neville of the Balconies (jfingas/Flickr)
This week, Canadian music fans will be treated to a collision of chamber and indie, a gig in a farmer’s market, a folk darling accompanied by a full orchestra, and much more. So tear yourself away from textbooks and Facebook and kick the weekend off early with one of these can’t-miss campus shows.
1. Toronto’s the Balconies are rock and roll through and through. Their powerful vocals and kicking riffs make for an ear-splitting experience, and they’re best heard live. The trio, brother and sister Stephen and Jacquie Neville plus Liam Jaeger, play Louis’ Pub at the University of Saskatchewan on Oct. 10. Ticket info is here.
2. Fresh off the release of Coyote, his first album in nearly four years, Roots rocker Matt Mays teams up with The Meds to play The Ale House in Kingston, Ont. on Oct. 10. Ticket info here.
3. London-based Basia Bulat’s brand of folk is at once breathless and big-voiced and accompanied by the uncommonly-heard autoharp. The singer-songwriter takes the stage at Hamilton Place, along with the Hamilton Philharmonic Orchestra on Oct. 13. McMaster students, ticket info is here.
4. It’s not often that an indie rock band like Hey Rosetta! would appear live at a farmer’s market, but for this year’s TommyFest in Fredericton, attendees will see just that. The band will bring some iteration of their multilayer sound on Oct. 15. along with locals Redwood Fields. Ticket info here.
5. Having just dropped an EP best described as chamber folk with post-rock influences, The Wilderness of Manitoba tour Ontario this fall, stopping in Guelph on Oct. 12. More info here.
In the third installment of the Southern Souls-filmed Mojito sessions, the Balconies teamed up with fellow Torontonians Hands and Teeth to cover Justin Bieber’s mega hit Baby. Check it out:
Did we miss a show? Let us know in the comments!
Can’t-miss campus shows (Oct. 4 to 10)
Where to catch METZ, Crystal Castles, Cuff the Duke…
Cuff the Duke (PaperBag13/YouTube)
It may be Thanksgiving long weekend, but that doesn’t mean musicians are taking a break. Grab a pumpkin beer and get your tickets for this week’s can’t miss campus gigs.
1. Rococode, the Vancouver three-piece of Laura Smith, Andrew Braun and ex-Tegan and Sara bassist Shaun Huberts, bring their perfectly pop sound to the The Gateway at SAIT in Calgary on Oct. 4. Opening the night are Winnipeg duo Cannon Bros. Ticket info here.
2. NXNE dubbed them the “Most respected band in Toronto,” but METZ’s Alex Edkins and Hayden Menzies once lived in Ottawa. They return for a hometown set at Babylon on Oct. 6. Ticket info here.
This week’s can’t-miss campus shows
Where to hear Austra, Propagandhi, You Say Party…
Austra PeterTea/Flickr
Over the weekend, Sam The Record Man founder Sam Sniderman passed away. But it’s not all sad news this week in music. There are celebrations too. On Monday, Feist took home the Polaris Prize for her record Metals and the parties will continue when Toronto-based Paper Bag Records, notable for breakthrough records by Broken Social Scene, Stars and countless others, celebrates its 10th year with a three-day concert series (see #5.)
1. With a signature synth-pop sound that builds around front woman Katie Stelmanis’ classically trained voice, Austra quickly rose to critical acclaim in 2011, even getting a Polaris nod. The Toronto three-piece play Starlight in university-town Waterloo on Thurs. Sept. 27. Ticket info here.
2. Ontario’s Great Lake Swimmers have got quintessentially Canadian folk rock down a science, underscored by thoughtful lyrics on their fifth album, New Wild Everywhere. They play Cochrane Street United Church in St. John’s, a short drive from Memorial University, on Sept. 29. Ticket info.
3. Back with their first album in three years, the politics-infused punk rockers Propagandhi will take ‘Failed States’ on the road to Montreal’s Metropolis on Sept. 28. Winnipeg’s hardcore rockers Comeback Kid open for the legendary group. Ticket info here.
4. Five members of the Western Canadian Music Alliance will join forces for the BreakOut West festival on Sept. 28 and 29 in Regina. The festival features a conference, awards and more than 50 artists including Rococode, Shuyler Jansen and Slow Down, Molasses. Ticket info here.
5. Paper Bag Records kicks off its anniversary celebrations with three nights of live music at Toronto’s Great Hall starting on Sept. 27. Acts include Luke Lalonde of Born Ruffians, Yamantaka // Sonic Titan and a one-night-only reunion of You Say Party, among others. Ticket info here.
Can’t miss campus shows (Sept. 20-27)
See who’s rocking Queen’s, SAIT, Montreal, Dal and The Peg
The Weeknds (Shubvirk/Wikimedia Commons)
Next week music snobs from across the country will gather to decide which of five shortlisted Canadian albums deserves the prestigious Polaris Prize, an award that honours musical achievement regardless of genre or sales. While the gala is limited to jurors, media, and the bands themselves, there’s no shortage of gigs across the country for the average campus music snob to celebrate with. Here are five shows students won’t want to miss this week, including one from a two-time Polaris nominee, The Weeknd.
1. Fresh off the release of their Siren Spell EP, east coast pop-rockers Two Hours Traffic are teaming up with Toronto’s Great Bloomers, who just released their second full-length, Distant Fires. They play Queen’s Sept. 27. Ticket info here.
2. Best known for their politically-infused anthem “Prime Minister’s Daughter,” the seven-piece pop ensemble Library Voices plays The Gateway at SAIT in Calgary on Sept. 20. Ticket info here.
Can’t miss campus shows (Sept. 12–19)
Where to catch Sloan, Bahamas, Shad, Zeus, F*cked Up…
Bahamas (MySpace)
You’ve taken the plastic off your textbooks, lost a half-dozen pens and slept through at least one morning lecture. Yep, school is back in full swing.
The return to the classroom coincides with a big fall music schedule across the country. I’ll be posting regularly to tell you which shows I would check out if I went to your school, plus a few near my own campus, the University of Ottawa. Here are five shows you don’t want to miss this week:
1. In 1994, while many of today’s university students were still learning basic motor functions, Sloan released the critically-revered Twice Removed. Twenty years later, the band is still going strong, touring the country playing the record in its entirety, followed by a second set of the hits. They play the University of Saskatchewan’s Louis’ Pub on Sept. 19. Ticket info here.
2. Western University in London, Ont. continues to welcome back the Mustangs with a multi-day music and recreation festival. Orchestral indie darlings Hey Rosetta! and throwback rockers Zeus play a free show for students in the Mustang Lounge on Sept. 13. More info here.
Five must-see frosh week shows
Where to catch Arkells, Yukon Blonde, Das Racist
Arkells (Brennan Schnell/Eastscene.com)
The first week is, for most students, one of the most memorable (okay, well, sort of memorable) weeks of university. It’s summer camp without tearful goodbyes; school without the schoolwork.
Part of the reason it’s so memorable is that between the cheers and the beers many orientation weeks also manage to squeeze in pretty decent live music. Here are five notable bands topping froshweek bills from coast to coast:
1. Fresh off the summer festival circuit, Hamilton’s Arkells head to Calgary to play SAIT Polytechnic’s on campus bar, The Gateway. The On Paper rockers play Sept. 4 at 8:00 p.m. Ticket info.
