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TO-Do List - Jan. 25-31


New week, new TO-Do List. Last week was just too much, so for week two of the series we've scaled it back to a length you might actually want to read. Here's a quick look at what's coming up on the concert calendar that you just might want to keep an eye on:

In Town This Week


  • Friday: Progressive post-punk power trio Ungdomskulen make the long drive all the way from Bergen, Norway to Lee's Palace. Their name is Norwegian for Middle School if you're curious (I was). Locals Black Hat Brigade and 6ixty 8ights open the show.

  • Saturday: Tokyo Police Club help kick off the Winter City festival with a free concert at Nathan Phillips Square from 8:45 - 10 pm. Good band for free! I hope the weather co-operates.

  • Sunday: Six-piece Halifax ensemble the Sleepless Nights pull into town as part of the Wavelength series at Sneaky Dee's. You can also look forward to sets by The Torrent and Soft Copy. PWYC.

  • Tuesday: For something completely different, check out Durham, North Carolina's Carolina Chocolate Drops at Hugh's Room. It just doesn't get anymore old school than this. They'll be joined by local hillbillies the Good Right Arm Stringband. $20-$22.50

  • Wednesday: Rescheduled from January 18, DJ Shadow and Cut Chemist present The Hard Sell - Live at the Phoenix Concert Theatre (410 Sherbourne). Yup, more turntables than you can shake a stick at, all being played by some of the best in the bidness. Scratchtastic Montrealer Kid Koala is also on the bill.

  • Thursday: Aussie indie-folkie Xavier Rudd brings an impressive collection of didgeridoos and other instruments to the Music Hall for a sold out two night stand. I guess 62,699 MySpace friends can't be wrong. Can't get a ticket? A third night has been added on February 10th. Carribean/Canadian singer/songwriter Mishka will be on the bill all three nights.

On the Radar


  • Saturday, February 2: Well, celebrating Groudhog Day is certainly easy when it lands on a Saturday night. If you dig the quieter side, check out Donovan Woods, Canada's 17th best songwriter, at The Savannah Room (294 College). Want a bit more noise? Then head over to Reverb for a night of New York hardcore with Sick of it All and Madball. For something in between those two extremes, check out the second round of Winter City at Nathan Phillips Square featuring Winnipeg's the Weakerthans.

  • Thursday, February 7: Calgary's Jane Vain & the Dark Matter bring their ethereal brand of pop to the Drake in support of their new disc, Love Is Where The Smoke Is.

  • Monday, February 11: NYC's Vampire Weekend come to town with their quirky mix of smart pop songs. $12 at the Horseshoe.

  • Wednesday, February 20: Undisputed master of the 7-string bass/guitar, Charlie Hunter brings his jazz-rock-funk fusion trio to the Mod Club.

Just Added

Many blasts from the past have just announced shows in Toronto: funk legends George Clinton and Parliament Funkadelic on Monday, February 25 at the Phoenix, $42.50; W.A.S.P. on Thursday, February 28 at the Phoenix, all ages, $39.50 (seriously?); blues guitar giant Buddy Guy on Saturday, April 5 at Massey Hall (178 Victoria), $49.50-$69.50; the Cult on Saturday, April 12 at Sound Academy (formerly the Docks), $45 (again, seriously?); Canadian songwriter extraordinaire Gordon Lightfoot May 7-10 at Massey Hall (178 Victoria), $45-$75; and the obligatory summer show from Rush on Wednesday, July 9 at the Molson Amphitheatre (909 Lakeshore West), $TBA (book your time off now, Patrick).

Photo by blogTO flickr group member primarita.


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