Most should be very excited by the wide gamut of shows announced this week; Musicologist is excited, but distracted by the concept of a $30.75 Hedley ticket. But yes, excitement: Rick White and The Luyas (one third Jessie Stein of Miracle Fortress and SS Cardiacs, two thirds Bell Orchestre’s Pietro Amato and Stefan Schneider) play the Music Gallery on February 9. Gogol Bordello returns on March 2, shortly after their over-the-top performance last October. New......

New York's Dean Wareham and Britta Phillips (both formerly of Luna) are hitting the Mod Club on Monday night, in support of their recently released second album, Back Numbers. Word on the street is that not only will they be performing Dean & Britta songs, but Luna and Galaxy 500 songs, as well. Want to hear it all up close and live? Courtesy of Against the Grain, we have two pairs of tickets to......

In case you're not into any CMW bands playing this year like these guys, or you want to avoid the boozing and schmoozing music industry folks (who are desperately clinging to their jobs), you might consider checking out the Pitter Patter Festival running concurrent to CMW. Featuring more than 80 local and non-local bands playing in Toronto, Hamilton and Oshawa, this year's line-up is a competitive, if not superior alternative to Canadian Music Week. Organizer......

The year is winding down and so is the music, which is kind of nice, actually, because there seem to be a lot of tours already gearing up for 2007. Hopefully Alexisonfire isn't one of them...we have no idea how they can manage to go onstage and scream for 7 solid days (they have a few more shows this week). Insanity. Best bets for this week include Royal Wood tonight at the Cameron House......

Due to non-existent internet access over the past few days (thanks, Bell!), there is an abridged version of the music listings this week. However, a big week it is, with V-Fest coming to town. The Flaming Lips! The Raconteurs! Wolfmother afros! And keep your eyes on the sky...you never know, you might see Richard Branson descending to earth perched on a flock of birds or something. As always, if you know of a good......