Live music picks for TUESDAY APRIL 17 through SUNDAY APRIL 22, 2012.

TUESDAY APRIL 17 / THE KAISER CHIEFS / THE OPERA HOUSE / 735 QUEEN E / $45.50 / ALL AGES
They've been gone for a minute, but now they're back. The Kaiser Chiefs were on a bit of a hiatus for the last three years, and it's safe to say that their show at the Opera House will showcase the fact that the band hasn't missed a step. They first came into prominence in the mid-2000s, and in my estimation, remain one of the better bands to come out of jolly old England in recent memory. Should be a great show, and dare I say....I predict a riot? (Sorry, couldn't help myself).

WEDNESDAY APRIL 18 / CHAIN AND THE GANG / PARTS AND LABOUR / 1566 QUEEN W / $12 / 19+

Mother always said that you should try new things, so take her advice and go check out Chain and the Gang at Parts & Labour. Ian Svenonius is the brainchild behind this garage-funk outfit that has burst onto the scene, and, well....it's different. Believe me when I say that the music is funky and the lyrics are witty and hilarious. I dig it, personally. Actual Water and These Days will share the stage.

THURSDAY APRIL 19 / DEATH CAB FOR CUTIE / MASSEY HALL / 178 VICTORIA / $59.50 - $69.50 / ALL AGES

Unless you've been living under a rock for the last decade, you know who Death Cab For Cutie is. And I know there are those who will say that their music isn't like it used to be, they sold out, etc. But you know what? At the end of the day, they make really, really good tunes, and that's really what it's all about. On this particular tour, they're performing with something called the Magik*Magik Orchestra, and early reviews indicate that it's pretty different and spectacular.

FRIDAY APRIL 20 / THE WOODEN SKY / THE OPERA HOUSE / 735 QUEEN E / $19.38 / ALL AGES

Another week, another awesome alt-country show in Toronto. On Friday, The Wooden Sky will take the stage at the Opera House. The band is fresh off the release of their latest album Every Child A Daughter, Every Moon A Sun, and I can honestly say that it's one of the best albums I've heard thus far in 2012. If you can only check out one show this week, I recommend this one - not only will you be supporting some local boys, you'll also give your ears quite the treat. The Sun Parlour Players and Evening Hymns will open.

SATURDAY APRIL 21 / BLOODSHOT BILL / SILVER DOLLAR ROOM / 486 SPADINA / $8 / 19+

A few months ago, I included Tandoori Knights, a duo out of Montreal, in the Hot Ticket. I included them because their music is unique, unusual, and borderline batshit crazy. And now, one half of that duo is coming back to Toronto for a set at the Silver Dollar Room. Bloodshot Bill is a self-proclaimed one man rockabilly band, and...well, there's not much else that I can say. You really have to hear the music for yourself. It's frantic, insane, and a hell of a lot of fun. And for eight bucks, you can't go wrong. Modern Superstitions, The Ooohh Baby Gimme Mores and Teen Tits Wild Wives are also on the bill.

RECENTLY ANNOUNCED CONCERTS

April

• Nick Lowe at the Phoenix on April 23. $34.00.
• Acid Mothers Temple at the Garrison on April 26. $15.00.
• Dragon Ritual Drummers at the El Mocambo on April 27. $10.00.

May

• Frankie Rose at Parts & Labor on May 2. $11.50.
• Fortune at the Garrison on May 3. $12.50.
• Eleanor Friedberger at the Garrison on May 4. $15.00
• Justin Rutledge at the Horseshoe Tavern on May 5. $17.50.


• Grouplove at the Wrongbar on May 9. $18.00.
• Maine at the Phoenix on May 9. $23.50.
• Never Say Never at the Mod Club on May 9. $25.00.
• Allen Stone at the Mod Club on May 11. $18.50.
• Mark Langean at the Mod Club on May 15. $21.00.
• Rat Scabies and Brian James at Lee's Palace on May 17. $14.50.
• One Direction at the Molson Amphitheatre on May 29. $30 - $60.

Beyond

• Radiohead with Caribou on June 16 at Downsview Park. $81.00
• Laura Marling at the Phoenix on June 17. $25.00
• LMFAO with Far East Movement and more at the Molson Amphitheatre on July 4. $34.50 - 69.50.
• tUnE-yArDs at the Phoenix on August 1. $21.00.
• The Black Keys with The Shins at the Molson Amphitheatre on August 4. $35.00 - $.59.50.
• Justice & M83 with Austra and Buraka Som Sistema at Fort York:Garrison Common on August 4. $49.00 (+s.c.).
• Il Volo at the Sony Centre for the Performing Arts on August 25. Price TBA.
• Gordon Lightfoot at Massey Hall from November 14 - November 17. $45.00 - 85.00.

For more music listings, head on over to our events calendar.

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Photo of The Kaiser Chiefs courtesy of F de Falso's photostream on Flickr.