Show picks of the week (March 31 – April 6, 2016)

April begins with a flurry of great shows, including the long-awaited return of UK’s Savages, the Montreal-debut of punk supergroup Tau Cross, four (!) sold-out Metropolis shows for locals Half Moon Run, and many more. Check out our full list of this week’s recommended shows below.

Thursday, March 31

Young Fathers at Théâtre Fairmount
The Edinburgh-based trio are known for their dense take on atmospheric, soulful hip-hop, with influences from electronica and trip hop (the band collaborated with Massive Attack earlier this year). That complex sound, coupled with the band’s penchant for making waves (see: last year’s eyebrow-raising White Men are Black Men Too album title), make Young Fathers one of the most exciting and unpredictable bands of the moment. $15 / $18, 9:00 pm, 5240 Parc.

Voodoo Glow Skulls at Katacombes
California’s Voodoo Glow Skulls were one of the first bands to match ska with truly aggressive punk music back in the 80’s, creating a manic blend that still lives on decades later. Their first few records are serious slabs of demented noise, and their live shows were always a blast, so this should be a fun one. Corbillard, Late Night Munchies, Les Conards à l’Orange and Les Happycuriens open. $20, 8:00 pm, 1635 Saint-Laurent.

Friday, April 1

Iron Maiden at Centre Bell
Don’t miss the chance to see an inflatable Eddie perched over the stage one more time as Iron Maiden (literally) fly into town in support of their latest LP, The Book of Souls. The Raven Age open but let’s face it; you’ll be in the lobby downing $14 Molson drafts until the minute Bruce Dickinson and co. hit the stage. $67-$103, 7:45 pm, 1909 Avenue des Canadiens-de-Montréal.

Half Moon Run at Metropolis
The stratospheric rise of the Montreal-based indie-rock band Half Moon Run continues with this, the first of four sold-out Metropolis shows. If you didn’t manage to snag tickets, you can always catch them at Osheaga this summer. Sold out, 8:00 pm, 59 Sainte-Catherine East.

Pokey Lafarge at Théâtre Corona
In stark contract to the faux-Americana being peddled by many bands doing the festival-circuit these days, Pokey Lafarge plays pure stripped-down roots music, packed with energy and emotion. Ragtime, swing, blues and country are all represented in Pokey Lafarge’s eclectic sound, which never comes off as a simply a nostalgia trip. $22 / $26, 8:00 pm, 2490 Notre Dame West.

Saturday, April 2

Savages at Théâtre Corona
London’s Savages seemed to appear like a bolt of lightning back in 2013; a fierce post-punk band that felt shockingly of the moment. Buoyed by their intense live shows, Savages are now returning to town to play their largest show here yet, in support of their recent sophomore LP, Adore Life.  $27 / $29.50, 8:00 pm, 2490 Notre Dame West.

Boids with School Damage at L’Esco
Few Montreal punk bands tour as relentlessly as Boids, a reality exploited to great effect in their new video for “Bless This Mess,” taken from their recent Superbafrango LP (see below). This hometown show features great support from Toronto ragers School Damage, along with Bambies and Neck. $5, 9:30pm, 4467 St-Denis.

Paul Collins Beat at TRH Bar
Nearly 40 years after basically perfecting power-pop with his previous band The Beat, Paul Collins still tours relentlessly, including this stop at the cozy TRH Bar. Expect to hear a solid mix of new tracks, as well as classic anthems like “Hanging on the Telephone,” and “Rock N’ Roll Girl.” Dany Laj and the Looks and Kid Sentiment open. $10 / $12, 9:00 pm, 3699 St-Laurent.

Sunday, April 3 

Tau Cross with Morne at Katacombes
If you wished classic UK punk band Amebix had been even darker, don’t miss the Montreal debut of Tau Cross. Made up of Amebix bassist / frontman Rob Miller, Voivod drummer Michel ‘Away’ Langevin, and members from Misery and War//Plague, Tau Cross combine the dystopian post-punk of Amebix with forays into haunting folk and brutal metal. Epic Boston doom slingers Morne open, along with locals Napalm Raid and Parasytes. $13 / $15, 9:30 pm, 1635 Saint-Laurent.

Monday, April 4 

Bongzilla with Black Cobra at Foufounes
Recently-resurrected stoner rock heroes Bongzilla are back out on the road, headlining this absolute beast of a tour featuring Black Cobra, Kings Destroy, Lo-Pan and The Naked High. If you own a black jean jacket and aren’t at this show, it’s time for some serious soul searching. $20, 7:00 pm, 87 Sainte-Catherine East.

Tuesday, April 5

The Smith Street Band at Divan Orange
Following last year’s tour with The Front Bottoms, Australian punks The Smith Street Band return to headline a stellar bill of introspective melodic punk, including San Jose’s Hard Girls and Cleveland’s Signals Midwest. $15, 9:00 pm, 4234 St-Laurent.

Counterparts with Expire at La Vitrola
Fans of metallic hardcore will have more than enough chances to start some pit beef with this stacked line-up of breakdown-heavy acts, with Counterparts, Expire, Gideon, Knocked Loose and Kennedy. $20 / $22.50, 7:00 pm, 4602 Saint-Laurent. 

Wednesday, April 6 

Rihanna at Centre Bell
Hey, why not? Get your awkward grind on in front of thousands of strangers when Rhi Rhi rolls back into town on her Anti tour, for the first of two shows at Centre Bell. Travis Scott opens. $40.50 – $171.50, 7:30 pm, 1909 Avenue des Canadiens-de-Montréal.