Show picks of the week (May 1 – May 7)

As one of the busiest months for shows begins, there are some great gigs this week, including a long sold-out show by soul revivalist Leon Bridges, and the return of hip hop heroes Non Phixion. Check out our full recommendations for the week below.

Friday, May 1

Sonic Avenues at TRH Bar
Montreal’s best power-pop / garage band, Sonic Avenues, will tear it up tonight at TRH Bar, alongside Kuhmfert, Mordicus, and The Castagne’s. For a primer on the ‘Avenues, check out our photos and review of their set at last year’s Suoni Per Il Popolo here. $10/$12, 10:00pm, 3699 Saint-Laurent Boulevard. 

Non Phixion at Foufounes Electriques
New York hip hop collective Non Phixion dropped their The Future is Now LP back in 2002, a furious slab of politically-charged rap that was heavy enough to spread over to the punk and metal worlds. The group split up to pursue solo careers back in 2006, but Ill Bill and the rest of the crew have regrouped for a few dates, including tonight’s sure-to-be-a-banger show at Foufounes. If you take your hip hop with a side of slam dancing, do not miss this one. 8:00, $22.50, 87 Sainte-Catherine East.

Saturday, May 2

Leon Bridges at Quai des Brumes
Leon Bridges may only be 25 years old, but his evocative soul style would have fit right into Stax Records’ output in the early 60’s. There are no modern flourishes to Bridges’ sound – the star is simply is powerfully evocative voice. Consider yourself lucky if you’re holding a ticket to his sold-out show tonight at the tiny Quai des Brumes – he won’t be playing bar shows for much longer. 9:30pm, Sold Out, 4481 St-Denis.

Strung Out at Club Soda
So Cal’s Strung Out have been hammering out their melodic skate punk for two decades now, and while the band has veered more towards their metal influences over the years, their latest LP shows them expertly fusing both genres once again. Opening up are midwest anthemic punks Red City Radio and La Armada, a Latino hardcore band originally from the Dominican Republic. 7:30pm, $25 / $27, 1225 Saint Laurent.

Sunday May 3

Vexx at Casa del Popolo
Olympia, Washington’s Vexx play furious ’77-era punk, shot through with a manic hardcore energy. Their latest single sounds like LA’s The Avengers reborn, which can’t be a bad thing. They’ll be joined by locals Ursula and Drip. 9:00pm, $7, 4873 Saint-Laurent.