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The Bleeding Heart Show
Funny how quickly a show can go from pariah to the hot ticket in town. Sunday’s New Pornographers show created a dilemma for fans who didn’t want to miss seeing the full-roster band including Destroyer’s Dan Bejar (also opening the show) and Neko Case (whose own skyrocketing fame all but ensures this is the last time she’ll be able to tour with the band), but on the other hand, didn’t want to make the trek to desolate and cavernous Docks. Then through some manner of divine intervention, the show was moved to the much cozier Phoenix ($22.50) and just like that, it was sold out, or damn close to it (helped by the fact that the Phoenix is 1/3 the capacity of The Docks). The New Pornographers are touring in support of their terrific new album Twin Cinema and this promises to be a helluva to-do. Victoria’s Immaculate Machine are also on the bill, which has an early start time of 6:30PM.
Another hot ticket for this weekend is “Rise: A Benefit for Musicians Displaced by Hurricane Katrina”, organized to offer some relief to the many many New Orleans musicians affected by Hurricane Katrina. Taking place at the Silver Dollar Room, the benefit show features a pretty formidable lineup of The Hidden Cameras, The Sadies and The Deadly Snakes. Some $20 tickets are still available at Rotate, Penguin or Soundscapes. If you’re going, get there early or you could end up the proceedings from the back room over the Silver Dollar’s CCTV. NOW has a preview of the show.
Neither pornography nor charity your cup of tea? Rocktober continues with plenty more Thanksgiving weekend live music around town after the jump.
Thursday, October 6:
It’s hard to say what’s more perplexing – that Badfish, a tribute band to 90s Californian outfit Sublime even exists, or that they’re big enough to play The Opera House ($14). Seriously, that’s just weird. A band with far more understandable appeal, Nashville Pussy, are at Lee’s Palace ($17.50).
Friday, October 7:
Ex-Catherine Wheel frontman Rob Dickinson tours his debut solo album Fresh Wine For The Horses through the Horseshoe ($15.50) while modern rock juggernaut Audioslave bring the testosterone at the Air Canada Centre ($49.50). And at Lee’s Palace, the Baudelaire record label makes its debut with the CD release party for the new Tangiers album, The Family Myth, with support from The Diableros ($10).
Saturday, October 8:
Australian dream-pop combo The Howling Bells play an early show at the Drake with support from locals The Mark Inside. Minneapolis hip-hop crew Atmosphere is at the Opera House ($25) while Toronto’s Danko Jones and Montreal’s Priestess go head-to-head at Lee’s Palace ($13.50).
Sunday, October 9:
In Wavelength’s own word, this week’s bill features reunited North Of America (“Canadian math-rock legends’ long-awaited return”), The Lava Witch (“Suburban Toronto aggro-dance sensations”) and Dog Day (“Post-rock from North of America’s fellow Halegonians”). Sneaky Dee’s, pay what you can.
Monday, October 10:
Though their new grandma-powered album Rehearsing My Choir is quite frankly awful, The Fiery Furnaces still figure to put on an insane live show at Lee’s Palace ($16.50). John Vanderslice leads the Pixel Revolt at the Horseshoe with support from The Frontier Index ($10) and Paul McCartney plays the ACC ($60 to $275).
Tuesday, October 11:
Swedish psych-rockers Dungen make their Toronto debut at Lee’s Palace ($13.50) while things get sensitive at the Mod Club with Aqualung, The Perishers and Tracy Bonham ($15). The Kool Haus plays host to The Bravery and The International Noise Conspiracy ($18.75).
Wednesday, October 12:
Variety is the spice of life. For the sensitive indie rockers, Nada Surf and Say Hi To Your Mom are at Lee’s Palace ($13.50). For the sophisticated hip-hoppers, The Roots and K’Naan are at The Docks ($35.75). And for everyone else? GWAR at the Kool Haus ($25.75). Oh yes.