Live music picks for WEDNESDAY APRIL 25 through SUNDAY APRIL 29, 2012.

WEDNESDAY APRIL 25 / CHIDDY BANG / THE HOXTON / 69 BATHURST / $25 / 19+
I've been a fan of hip-hop for over ten years, and if there's one thing I've learned, it's that Philadelphia, for whatever reason, is the home of some of the most talented MCs in the game. Up-and-coming duo Chiddy Bang is no different. Made up of Chidera Anamege and Noah Beresin, their music is a fusion of hip-hop and alt-rock, and while it's certainly unusual, it works. They recently released their debut album, Breakfast, and appear poised to continue their ascension.

THURSDAY APRIL 26 / ACID MOTHERS TEMPLE & THE MELTING PARAISO U.F.O. / THE GARRISON / 1197 DUNDAS W / $15 - $18 / 19+

Try to follow along with this one: Acid Mother Temple & The Melting Paraiso U.F.O. is part of the Acid Mothers Temple "soul collective" (they're more than a band, apparently). The collective is made up of no less than ten offshoots and side projects, and each one fits into a different genre of music. The Melting Paraiso U.F.O. offshoot is known for their psychedelic space rock that's heavy on experimentation and improvisation. So, I guess if this is your sort of thing, the Garrison is where you'll want to be on Thursday. The Phantom Family Halo will offer support.

FRIDAY APRIL 27 / THE RED HOT CHILI PEPPERS / AIR CANADA CENTRE / 40 BAY / $55 - $75 / ALL AGES

Generally, I try to stick to smaller shows and venues, but the Red Hot Chili Peppers simply are too good to go unmentioned. If you don't know who these guys are, then seriously, why are you even reading a blog about music? This is one of the most successful and most beloved bands of the last 20+ years, and rightfully so - their brand of funk rock has been consistently awesome, and they put on one hell of a live show. It's a shame that the show is at the ACC (my least favourite venue in the city), but that's just a minor quibble. Sleigh Bells will open.

FRIDAY APRIL 27 / WE WERE PROMISED JETPACKS / LEE'S PALACE / 529 BLOOR W / $18.75 / 19+

Maybe you don't feel like going to see the Chili Peppers at the ACC on Friday, for whatever reason (like the fact that it's probably sold out and you don't already have tickets). If this is the case, why not check out Scottish indie-rockers We Were Promised Jetpacks at Lee's Palace? The band released their sophomore album, In The Pit Of The Stomach, at the tail-end of 2011 to much acclaim, and they're fresh off an appearance at Coachella. Apparently, they put on a hell of a show. Experimental group Breton will also be performing.

SUNDAY APRIL 29 / HORSE FEATHERS / HORSESHOE TAVERN / 368 QUEEN W / $10.50 IN ADVANCE, $12 AT DOOR / 19+

There's nothing like a little folk music to help you wind down at the end of the weekend, which makes Horse Feathers' appearance at the Horseshoe a must-see if you're looking for some live music on Sunday night. The band is currently touring in support of their fourth album, Cynic's New Year, which was released earlier this year. Banjos, strings, horns, guitars, awesome lyrics - these guys have it all.

RECENTLY ANNOUNCED CONCERTS

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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Have an event you'd like us to plug? Submit your own listing to the blogTO events calendar.

Photo of Chiddy Bang courtesy of Lotus Carroll on Flickr.