April's concert lineup is short on the blockbuster arena shows. The operative word here is quirky. We've dug down deep to find 10 gems to check out this month.
April 2, James Vincent McMorrow, The Danforth Music Hall, $24.50: This Irish singer songwriter has taken off following the release of his debut album Early in the Morning in 2010 and his most recent, decidedly more groovy record Post Tropical. He’ll be on to larger venues soon enough, so this is a good opportunity to catch him at a (sort of) intimate venue.
April 4 and 5: Ron Hawkins, Graffiti’s, $17. Although a dingy bar in Kensington Market might not offer up the sound quality of Massey Hall, it works for Hawkins, the Lowest of the Low frontman, and current head honcho of the Do Good Assassins, and his beer-soaked, poetic warblings. This show will surely stretch back into the archives.
April 9, The National, Massey Hall, $lots: The American indie mope rockers extraordinaire hit Massey Hall for the first of three sold-out shows. True fans can still find tickets online, but looks like it might cost you $300 per.
April 9, The Hold Steady, Phoenix Concert Theatre, $20: If you just can't fork over the cash needed for The National, just down the street another great American indie band will take the stage. The Hold Steady, no strangers to Toronto, are back in support of their latest release, Teeth Dreams.
April 10, Molly Ringwald, Richmond Hill Centre for the Performing Arts, $55-$60. Former ’80s teen starlet Molly Ringwald, famous for her roles in such John Hughes classics as The Breakfast Club and Sixteen Candles, has moved on to jazz and she's actually good. Worth the trek to Richmond Hill, even if just out of curiosity.
April 12, Second Annual Stompin' Tom Memorial Show, The Legendary Horseshoe Tavern, $20: This event, in aid of Street Soccer Canada, is really at a can't-miss level. Dave Bidini and his Bidiniband act as hosts with special guests including Sarah Harmer, Tom Wilson and Tony Dekker.
April 15, Emmylou Harris with Daniel Lanois, Massey Hall, $29.50-$89.50: Emmylou Harris, Grammy Award winner and one of the most iconic roots music artists working today, checks into the venerable Massey Hall. It's kind of a big deal. And, Daniel Lanois opening the show is just icing on the cake.
April 17, Rachel Sermanni, Drake Hotel Underground, $15: Stunning Scottish singer-songwriter Rachel Sermanni returns to Toronto to celebrate the release of her incredible new album Live In Dawson City.
April 23, Holly Golightly, The Legendary Horseshoe Tavern, $12.50: A rare local concert appearance by talented, timeless and always entertaining Holly Golightly, on the heels of a new album release with her band The Brokeoffs dubbed All Her Fault.
April 24, Boy George, The Danforth Music Hall, $22.50-$43.50: Oh, come on! Don't tell me you're not interested in Boy George's first album in almost two decades. When "Karma Chameleon" comes on the oldies station, I know you're dancing just like the rest of us. So, suck it up and get a ticket.
