Evening Headlines: Lots and lots of good concerts

First up, the venerable Neil Young has booked four benefit shows across Canada to support the Athabasca Chipewyan First Nation (ACFN) Legal Defense Fund. This includes a stop at the Centennial Concert Hall on Thursday, January 16th. Diana Krall is also on the bill.

Hearing a lot of great things about this band: The Head and the Heart will be at Burt on Monday, April 7th w/ Basia Bulat.

Wake Owl will be at the WECC on Wednesday, March 5th w/ Lyon.

Local folk/country musician Kevin Roy is releasing his debut cd, Taller than the Trees, at the WECC on Friday, February 7th.

Speaking of local album releases...Greg Rekus is releasing his sophomore album, Punkoustic, at the Park Theatre on Wednesday, January 8th.

Speaking of local album releases...hip-hopper KayR is releasing his debut record, Skyline Mirages, at the Park Theatre on Tuesday, December 17th.

Kalle Mattson is at the Park Theatre on Wednesday, March 19th.

And finally...Sharon Jones & The Dap Kings returns to town for a performance at Burt on Tuesday, April 8th.

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Afternoon Headlines: GMac Album Release Party; A Tribe Called Red; The Pack A.D.

First up, local fave Greg MacPherson has announced the Fireball release show: the event goes down at Union Sound Hall on Sunday, December 22nd w/ Rob Crooks and DJ No Contact.

For a good time try The Pack A.D. at the Park Theatre on Tuesday, March 4th.

Check out the lovely and talented Lindi Ortega with the WSO February 7th - February 9th.

Waaaaay into the future: City and Colour is at the MTS Centre on Saturday, May 17th.

Black Sabbath is still touring (no kiddin') and will be at the MTS Centre on Wednesday, April 16th.

The Matinee will be at the Park Theatre on Tuesday, December 3rd.

Polaris short listers A Tribe Called Red will be at Union Sound Hall on Sunday, February 16th.

And finally, The 1975 will appear at Union Sound Hall on Thursday, May 1st (my birthday!).

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Afternoon Headline: Arcade Fire @ MTS Centre

Hot off the wire...

The ubiquitous Arcade Fire will bring the tunes of Reflektor (and others I'm sure) to the MTS Centre on Thursday, August 14th. Not completely sold on Reflektor yet, but I don't hate it. Just need more time with it.

Tickets on sale November 22nd.

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Contest: Enter to win tickets to see Raleigh @ The WECC w/ Few Who Do, From Giants

Courtesy of our friends over at the West End Cultural Centre, I've got a pair of tickets to giveaway for the Raleigh show going down on Friday, November 29th. Few Who Do and From Giants get the evening started.

If you're interested in checking out the event, fire me off an email (on the right hand side, below the concert listings) by noon CST on Thursday, November 21st with the subject line "Raleigh Ticket Giveaway" and your name in the email's body. Winning name will be drawn randomly sometime that afternoon and contacted shortly thereafter, with the first name and last initial published on my Twitter account.

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Afternoon Headlines: Roots in the River @ The WECC; Repartee @ The Garrick

First up, Roots in the River goes down at the WECC on Thursday, November 28th featuring JD Edwards and Amanda Rheaume playing (paying?) homage to songs of Manitoba past.

Speaking of that date...Newfoundland-based  electro/pop-rock band Repartee is at the Garrick on November 28th.

Don Amero's "Amero's Little Christmas" takes place at the WECC on Saturday, December 21st w/ Jordan St. Cyr and Desiree Dorian.

Double bill at the Park Theatre on February 17th: Northcote and Dave Hause.

Hamilton's The Reason pops by the Park Theatre on Thursday, November 21st w/ Denmark band Thee Attacks.

World AIDS day benefit concert takes place at the WECC on Sunday, December 1st and features local acts Nathan, Keith MacPherson , Jordan St. Cyr and Alicia Feakes.

And finally, Juno award winning singer-songwriter Cara Luft is there on Saturday, January 25th.

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Afternoon Headlines: Amelia Curran @ Folk Exchange; Gordon Lightfoot Tribute

Photo by Bud Gaulton

First up, uber-talented singer-songwriter Amelia Curran returns to town for a gig at the Folk Exchange on Wednesday, November 13th.

Fun announcement alert: On Friday, December 16th, a bona fide slew of local musicians pay tribute to the incomparable Gordon Lightfoot at the West End Cultural Centre. On the bill: Scott Nolan,Vanessa Kuzina (Oh My Darling), Red Moon Road , and Rusty Matyas (Imaginary Cities).

Meaghan Smith will play some Christmas tunes at the WECC on Saturday, December 7th w/ Slow Leaves.

Calgary-based indie-poppers Raleigh is at the WECC on Friday, November 29th. From Giants and Few Who Do are also on the bill. Check back early next month for a chance to win tix to this show!

Speaking of Calgary-based artists, Reuben & The Dark is at the Park Theatre w/ Paper Kites on Saturday, November 2nd.

Local indie-electro act Hana Lulu is releasing its debut EP, Keepsake, at 72 Princess Street (I don't have a venue name) on Friday, November 15th.

My first entry for 2014! Mark Berube will be at the WECC on Friday, February 21st!

The Fugitives drop by the Windsor on Wednesday, November 20th w/ White Ash Falls.

Quadruple bill going down at the Park on Monday, November 4th: Hearing Trees, The Burning Kettles, Pocket Change, and Rachel Quelch.

And finally, local band Mitten Claps is releasing its debut EP, Tactics, at the Rose 'n' Bee Pub on Sunday, November 10th.

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Afternoon Headline: July Talk @ The WECC w/ Thomas D'Arcy

Stellar double bill going down at the WECC on Monday, November 4th: July Talk w/ Thomas D'Arcy (ex-Small Sins leader). See ya there!

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