By Haley Cullingham
Ten unmissable upcoming shows.
Saturday, Jan 10th
Forest City Lovers (The D’Ubervilles, Timber Timbre, Jenny Omnichord)
Tranzac, $10, $8 if you bring a can o’ beans or other nonperishable food itemSuper-Canadian indie folk that springs from the Toronto skyscrapers, but sounds like it was crafted in a cabin in the woods. Imagine if Amy Milan did guest vocals for Fleet Foxes. They join their Out of this Spark labelmates for the OOTS Second Anniversary party at Tranzac.
myspace.com/forestcitylovers
Thursday, Jan 15
Femi Kuti and the Positive Force
Opera House, $30
Because summer and the days of dancing in the sun are still far away, and nothing brings warmth to the air like some sultry afro-beat and inspiring roots poetry
myspace.com/femikuti
Lil Wayne (T Pain, Keyshia Cole, Keri Hilson, Gym Class Heroes)
Air Canada Centre, $49.75-89.75
You really want to accuse Lil Wayne of being overrated…but then he takes his shirt off.
myspace.com/lilwayne
Saturday, Jan 17
Bishop Allen
El Mocambo, $10
Good things grow in Brooklyn-this quintessential indie outfit’s Middle Management was the song behind the Nick and Norah’s Infinite Playlist ads, and they appeared in the film
myspace.com/bishopallen
Monday, Feb 2
Lenka
Drake, $10.50
The minxy Australian pop songstress is a staple of prime time, with songs gracing Grey’s Anatomy, 90210, and commercials, but her sunny music and strong voice transcend soundtrack status.
myspace.com/lenkamusic
Thursday, Feb 5th
The Virgins
El Mocambo, $12.50
Foxy New Yorkers take a cue from other skinny NYC wunderkinds like The Strokes, creating grinning guitar rock with sexy swagger, beloved by the Nylon set.
myspace.com/thevirginsnyc
Friday, Feb 6
Lykke Li (Wildbirds & Peacedrums)
The Phoenix, $26.50
Lykke Li is a lovely Swedish pixie with equally lovely musical stylings. Even more lovely: the offbeat bluesy-folk of fellow Swedes and tourmates, duo Wildbirds & Peacedrums.
myspace.com/lykkeli
Tuesday, Feb 17
Antony and the Johnsons
Queen Elizabeth Theatre, $35
The music of Mercury Prize-winning New Yorker Antony Heggarty inhabits the world of eerie cinema, explores everything from landscapes to transexuality, and features guest vocals from Lou Reed. His concerts are a multi-media exploration of music and meaning.
myspace.com/antonyandthejohnsons
Saturday, Feb 21
Blitzen Trapper
Horseshoe, $10.50
Portland folk-rockers on the legendary Sub Pop label, their latest album, Furr, was ranked as one of Rolling Stone’s best albums of 2008. The album is reminiscent of great American landscapes and great American rock n roll.
myspace.com/blitzentrapper
Friday, Feb 27
Luke Doucet and The White Falcon
Mod Club, $15
Canadian guitar hero and Six Shooter Records great White Falcon hope, Doucet is a blues-country singer songwriter born in Halifax and raised in Manitoba, with songs that sound right at home all across this great country.
myspace.com/lukedoucet