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Musicologist: December 10–16
In celebration of 60 years and counting for the local, legendary Horseshoe Tavern, Joel Plaskett Emergency will be performing six consecutive shows this week beginning Monday, each day playing in chronological order an album in their discography of full-lengths.
After seeing its days as a blacksmith shop, a strip club, and of course the host of some of the most legendary first time Toronto performances including Willie Nelson, The Talking Heads, and Neutral Milk Hotel, it has undoubtedly been the Horseshoe’s series of consecutive show runs that have made the venue a special one. In true Horseshoe fashion, Joel Plaskett’s show run makes perfect sense both in celebrating the venue and showcasing great Canadian music.
Outside of the tavern, however, the city seems to be just as enthusiastic with what appears to be a busier than usual mid-December for live shows—Thursday evening without a doubt being the busiest and with most choice. New York’s Vampire Weekend are playing the El Mocambo, returning quickly after playing this past summer with Brooklyn’s Dirty Projectors, and Yacht (Devendra Banhart’s occasional drummer Jona Bechtolt). Given this city’s enthusiasm for bands such as Tokyo Police Club and Born Ruffians, the city will be sure to just love Vampire Weekend
If the pop-y, up-stroke melodies of buzz bands aren’t your thing, Musicologist definitely recommends Sandro Perri at the Tranzac Thursday evening. If sharing a label with Godspeed You Black Emperor and Do Make Say Think is testament to the quality of sounds this multi-instrumentalist creates, then Perri definitely fits that association. His fall release Tiny Mirrors is a beautiful collection of experimental folk pieces that has Musicologist’s vote for one the best albums of 2007. With hints of samba, soul, experimental and folk minimalism, Perri and his resident venue the Tranzac are sure to have their own celebration of sorts Thursday evening—a celebration of an ethos (arguably) far different from the Horseshoe.
Full listings for the week after the jump.
This Week
Monday, December 10
Joel Plaskett Emergency and Tyler Messick @ Horseshoe, $15.50
Spooky Ruben, Mantler and Acousteaux @ Mitzi’s Sister, $5
Orchestra Toronto @ Toronto Center for the Arts, $25-$30
Krista L. L. Muir @ Dakota Tavern (8 pm), $5
Tuesday, December 11
Joel Plaskett Emergency and Major Grange @ Horseshoe, $15.50
Evalyn Perry @ Tranzac, $5
Wednesday, December 12
Joel Plaskett Emergency and The Spades @ Horseshoe, $15.50
Andy Kim’s X-Mas Show feat. Ron Sexsmith, the Barenaked Ladies, Serena Ryder, Raine Maida, Ohbijou and others @ Mod Club, $26
Erica Werry @ Press Club, $5
Fiery Furnaces and MGMT @ Lee’s Palace, $19.50
Basia Bulat @ Criminal Records (7 pm), FREE
Llions, The Leonids and Zesty Caucasians @ Boat, $5
Thursday, December 13
Permanent Stains and Ninja Highschool @ Sneaky Dee’s, $5
Rriiccee (Vincent Gallo and E. Erlandson) @ Music Gallery, $20
Brand New @ Arrow Hall, $27.50
Vampire Weekend and We’re Marching On… @ El Mocambo, $10
Jamaica to Toronto (Various Artists) @ Mod Club, $22
Friendly Rich & Lollipop People, Sandro Perri and Phoenix Lights @ Tranzac, $10
Apostle of Hustle and Majormaker @ Lee’s Palace, $15
Joel Plaskett Emergency and Peter Elkas @ Horseshoe, $17.50
Keith Urban @ Air Canada Center, $49.50-$79.50
Gentleman Reg, Michael Leviton and Scary Mansion @ Tiger Bar, $5
World Aids Day Benefit feat.Hidden Cameras and others @ The Great Hall (Hart House), $5 for students. $10 for others.
Friday, December 14
Patrick Watson @ Mod Club, $15
Lupe Fiasco, Woodhands and others @ Circa, $15
Joel Plaskett Emergency and Two Hours Traffic @ Horseshoe, $20
Uncut, Love Kills, Lunchmeat and Hollophonic @ Silver Dollar, $5
Best of 2007 Indie Bands feat. Astha, Savanah, The Elwins and more @ Opera House, $10
Cedar, The Postage Stamps and Lipstick Machine @ Rancho Relaxo, $5
Saturday, December 15
These Electric Lives, Tin Bangs, The iSpies and Songs from a Room @ Lee’s Palace, $6 w/ canned food
John Waters @ Phoenix, $29.50
Weather Station and Sheesham and Lotus @ Tranzac, $5
Joel Plaskett Emergency and Two Hours Traffic @ Horseshoe, $20
Spymachine 16, Elbow Beach Surf Club, Rouge and Burn Planetarium @ Whippersnapper Gallery (1 pm), $7
Sunday, December 16
Alexisonfire @ Arrow Hall, $34.50
Loitering Heros, Istvan Kantor and the Red Armband and Mandeverest @ Sneaky Dee’s, PWYC
Recently Announced
January 27: The Teenagers @ The Social, $16.50
February 13: Lyle Lovett and John Hiatt @ Massey Hall, $49.50–$69.50
February 21: KD Lang @ The Courthouse, $50
Photo of Joel Plaskett by Andrea Cabb.