Hot Ticket for the week of August 21 - 27

Friday, August 25th - This weekend's Indie Unlimited Festival boasts an all round bang-up lineup, and Friday night is a definite do-not-miss. Montreal's nine-piece hip hop collective Nomadic Massive kick things off at 8pm. Expect high-energy rhythms infused with the warmth of world, soul and funk music and feel-good rhymes in varying tongues. Matthew Herbert takes over at 9:30pm, showing off the lush, melodic, yet decidedly poppy electronica he's known for. Herbert's creations give new meaning to "experimental" (the recently released Scale samples 723 objects including coffins, gas pumps and a Tornado bomber) and I wouldn't be surprised if he has a few schticks up his sleeve for Friday. Harbourfront Centre Concert Stage (235 Queens Quay West), FREE, all ages. -- Panthea

Saturday August 26th - Harbourfront's Indie Unlimited continues with a day full of independent arts, music, and theatre for all ages. The day starts at 12pm and goes all the way 'til midnight or later. Music includes the Great Lake Swimmers (2pm, Music stage), Amy Millan (3:30pm, Music stage), Telefauna (7:30pm, Toronto Star stage) & The Hidden Cameras (9:30pm, Music stage). If you're yearning for more, head over to The Brigantine Room at 11pm for the Over The Top Fest showcase featuring Torngat, They Shoot Horses, Don't They? and Think About Life. Still FREE FREE FREE!!! -- Garry

Saturday Aug 26th - The Hamilton based Junior Boys quickly rose to fame with the release of their critically acclaimed vocal-heavy electro-pop debut album Last Exit in 2004. The Junior Boys are back and haven't slowed down a beat. Their new single, In The Morning has just dropped and ripples in the industry are already beginning to form with Pitchfork throwing down a 5-star review. Catch them Saturday at El Mocambo, $16. -- Mike R.

Sunday, Aug 27th -- If by Sunday you find yourself all indied-out, a good old fashioned hoedown may just cure what ails ya. The annual Ward's Island Jamboree (7 years and still kicking & screaming) will feature old time country, bluegrass and rockabilly from the Backstabbers, Cameron Family Singers, Creaking Tree String Quartet, Swamperella, the Countrypolitans, Paradise Rangers and Atomic 7. At the Wards Island Clubhouse, from 3-10 pm. $18 (+ ferry cost) gets you all the banjo-pickin you can handle. -- Beth