Show picks of the week (June 26 – July 2)

Montreal’s festival season is in full swing, with most of this week’s must-see shows falling under the Montreal International Jazz Fest banner, including appearances by Beirut, Erykah Badu, and Huey Lewis and the News. For those looking for some louder options, there are also a pair of great local gigs this week, including a record-release show for emo revivalists Gulfer, and the return of the psychedelic garage outfit Vomit Squad. Check out all of this week’s varied show recommendations below.

Friday, June 26

Beirut – Montreal Jazz Fest opening night outdoor show
Beirut are set to release their first new album in four years this fall, and are embarking on some long-awaited tour dates beforehand, including this massive free outdoor Jazz Fest opening night show. Frontman Zach Condon has woven elements of traditional Balkan sounds and Mexican mariachi music into his band’s brass-heavy sound, but recent albums have seen Beirut move towards a more streamlined approach, showcasing Condon’s great pop sensibilities. The opening Jazz Fest shows can draw tens of thousands of people to the Quartier des Spectacles area, so get there early for a choice spot. 9:30 pm, free, corner of Maisonneuve and Jeanne-Mance.

Vomit Squad at Bar Le Pastel
If the soothing sounds of Beirut aren’t your cup of tea, head over to Bar Le Pastel for the scummy garage rock double header of locals Vomit Squad and Suppressors. 9:30 pm, 426 Rachel Est. 

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Saturday, June 27

Gulfer LP release at Turbo Haus
Montreal’s emo torchbearers Gulfer launch their new LP, What Gives, at Turbo Haus tonight, headlining a stacked bill including Ohio’s Narrow/Arrow, Boston’s Strange Mangers, Florida’s Sea Cycles, and locals Black Love, Quaaludes, Commander Clark, and Plumm. The show starts at 6pm sharp, and with a whopping eight (!) bands on the bill, they probably aren’t kidding around with the pre-prime time starting hour. 6:00 pm,$10/$13, 5011 Notre Dame Ouest. 

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Monday, June 29

Erykah Badu at Salle Wilfrid-Pelletier – Place-des-Arts
Jazz Fest scored a major coup by booking a rare Montreal show for Erykah Badu, the reigning Queen of soul and R&B. Hopefully we’ll get to hear some material from her long-rumoured upcoming album, which Badu has been working on with mind-bending producer Flying Lotus. 7:30 pm, $93.50 to $118.50, 175 Sainte-Catherine Ouest.

Wednesday, June 1

Huey Lewis and the News at Salle Wilfrid-Pelletier – Place-des-Arts
Patrick Bateman’s favourite 80’s pop icons Huey Lewis and the News finally return to Montreal, for a Canada Day Jazz Fest show at Place-des-Arts. With no new album to plug, expect the former San Francisco bar band to run through classic MTV-era hits like “The Power of Love,” and “I Want a New Drug,” with the same unabashed energy and enthusiasm the band had back in the 80’s. 7:30 pm, $88.50 – $128.50, 175 Sainte-Catherine Ouest.