Show picks of the week (March 27 – April 2)

There are no shortage of great shows this coming week, including a couple of freebies in some unexpected locales. Check out our list of recommended gigs below.

Friday, March 27

UUBBUURRUU with Birds of Paradise and Trepanated Hands at L’Esco

L’Esco continues to celebrate their 15th anniversary this month, and have teamed up with Montreal Psych Fest for a heady bill of locals, including UUBBUURRUU, Birds of Paradise (featuring members of Red Mass) and Trepanated Hands. The whole shindig will feature tunes by DJ Tinsoldierman and visuals by Pink Veil. Remember to stay clear of the brown acid. 9:00pm, $7, 4467 Saint-Denis.

Saturday, March 28

Face to Face at Ski Saint Bruno

Alright, this one technically isn’t in the city, but I’m sure many Montrealers will be making the 30 minute drive east to catch this free show by California skate punks Face to Face. Part of an all-day open house for the ski hill, the show also includes a set by locals Punchline 13. Check out a full schedule of the day’s activities here. 3:00pm, free, 550 Des Vingt-Cinq Rang E, Saint Bruno, Quebec.

Will Butler at Bar le Ritz PDB

Arcade Fire’s Will Butler just released his first solo album, Policy, for Merge Records, showcasing a much-more stripped-down rock vibe than the expansive sound of his primary band. To celebrate the album’s release, Will is playing a pair of hometown shows tonight and tomorrow, both of which are sold out. Hearing Things open up both nights. 9:00pm, sold out, 179 Jean Talon West. 

Sunday, March 29 

The Real McKenzies with The Isotopes and Boids at Katacombes

Vancouver’s long-standing Celtic punks The Real McKenzies are a guaranteed good time, mixing songs about their love of punk rock with traditional sea shanties. Opening up are the Ramones-worshiping The Isotopes and locals Boids. Your Monday morning is going to be rough. 8:30, $13 / $15, 1635 Boul. Saint-Laurent. 

Tuesday, March 31

Vic Ruggiero at The Old Orchard Pub and Grill 

This one seems like a no brainer. Vic Ruggiero, frontman of the world’s best current ska band, NYC’s The Slackers, is set to play a free show at The Old Orchard Pub (Plateau location), with beer provided by the delicious organic brewery Beau’s, now finally available in Quebec. Vic will play three sets throughout the night, alongside the UK’s DJ Scratchy, who toured with the Clash from 1978-80. Expect a night of great music, stories and beer. 10:00pm, free, 20 Prince Arthur West.

Wednesday, April 1 

Benjamin Booker with Olivia Jean at Sala Rossa

The hype around the New Orleans-based Benjamin Booker couldn’t be any louder, and with good reason. Booker’s take on garage rock is a blues-soaked, throat-strained attack, a timeless sound that somehow still manages to remain fresh and vital. If Otis Redding fronted a band on In The Red Records, it might sound something like the soulful cacophony that Booker conjures up. An absolute must-see, and in the perfect venue to boot. Nashville’s Oliva Jean opens up, supporting her Jack White-produced album on Third Man Records. 8:30pm, $20/$25, 4848 Boul. Saint-Laurent. 

Thursday, April 2

Harm’s Way with Homewrecker, Discourse, Apes, and Lifespent at La Vitrola

Chicago’s Harm’s Way have morphed from a straight-forward hardcore band to an even heavier outfit, incorporating bits of metal and even industrial music into their wheelhouse on their recent Rust LP. It will definitely be interesting to see how they pull this new stuff off live. Opening up are the equally brutal Homewrecker, Discourse, and locals Apes and Lifespent. 7:00pm, $15, 4602 Boul. Saint-Laurent.

Wand with Corridor and Heaters at Bar le Ritz PDB

LA’s Wand traffic in psychedelic sounds, but with a heavily distorted edge, more Iggy Pop and the Stooges than Sgt. Pepper’s. They absolutely destroyed to about 6 lucky souls at Pop Montreal last year, so here’s hoping more folks have been turned on by now. Opening up are locals Corridor and Michigan’s Heaters. 9:30, $10 / $13, 179 Jean Talon West.