The Rock Orchestra by Candlelight
Hear your favourite rock and metal songs from bands including Metallica, System of a Down, and My Chemical Romance in this 90-minute concert backed by a classically-trained orchestra. If that’s not cool enough, the whole thing is lit with candles for peak moody vibes.
April 3, 8 p.m. at the Southern Alberta Jubilee Auditorium, jubileeauditorium.com.
COBRAH
An opener for Charli XCX and collaborator with Ashnikko, Swedish-born COBRAH knows her way around an electropop club banger. Dance your heart out to tracks from her new album, Torn.
April 5, 7 p.m. at The Palace Theatre, thepalacetheatre.ca.
Maldita
It’s a punk rock party with the Latina-fronted Maldita coming all the way from Toronto, along with local punk rockers Citizen Rage and Shorts, plus the futuristic new wave stylings of Chairman from Edmonton, all coming together to tear the place up.
April 12, 2 p.m. at Pinbar, pinbaryyc.com.
Said the Whale
Vancouver indie rockers Said the Whale are celebrating their 20th anniversary with a Canadian tour. Pop rock and folk fans will feel right at home with Said the Whale’s West Coast sound.
April 16, 6:30 p.m. at the Commonwealth Bar and Stage, commonwealthbar.ca.
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Kim Churchill
For a show full of heart and warm vocals, be sure to check out Kim Churchill on the Calgary stop of his Lovely Tour, presented by Calgary Folk Fest. Churchill’s indie folk tracks, full of storytelling and a sense of adventure, may just draw out a happy tear or two.
April 17, 7 p.m. at Festival Hall, calgaryfolkfest.com.\
Duelling Piano Kings
There are no DJs getting mad at you for requesting songs at this show; the Duelling Piano Kings want them! You may have spotted duelists Pat McGannon and Craig Learmont over the summer at the Calgary Stampede Cellar Champion Wine Experience, and they’re back again for another show, “where your requests rule.”
April 17, 8:30 p.m. at the King Eddy, kingeddy.ca.
Vivaldi’s Four Seasons
While in Calgary, we may only have two seasons (summer and cold), you can experience all four of them this month when internationally acclaimed violinist Timothy Chooi takes on Vivaldi’s iconic violin concerto.
April 17, 7:30 p.m. at the Jack Singer Concert Hall, calgaryphil.com.
Castle
Thrash it out with San Francisco heavy metal doom band Castle at their Calgary leg of their “Double Vision” tour. Supported by Hazzerd and Denimachine, you’ll be left buzzing (and with ringing ears) on your way out the door.
April 17, 8 p.m. at the Palomino, thepalomino.ca.
The Barber of Seville
A lovesick fool, a girl running circles around her grumpy old keeper, and a baritone so famous even your non-opera friends know his name. What could go wrong? Catch this hilarious show and find out.
April 18, 19, and 24 at the Jubilee Auditorium, calgaryopera.com.
Shaun Kirk
All the way from sunny Melbourne, Australia, Shaun Kirk is bringing his blues-and-soul stylings to Calgary. Come see the acts that shared billing with the likes of John Mayer and Robert Plant of Led Zeppelin in a cozy venue.
April 21, 7 p.m. at Congress Coffee Company, congresscoffeeshop.com.
NOBRO
Nobro’s 2023 album Set Your Pussy Free snagged a Juno nomination for rock album of the year in 2025, and they’re ready to rage right here in Calgary. This is a show you’ll leave wanting to throw your middle finger at your boss the next day.
April 22, 8 p.m. at Commonwealth Bar and Stage, commonwealthbar.ca.
An Intimate Evening with Tenille Townes
Hear the hits of 17-time Canadian Country Music Awards winner Tenille Townes, alongside the stylings of the Calgary Phil. The orchestra, alongside Townes’ soul-searching lyrics are sure to tug at any country-lover’s heartstrings. Tissues are optional, but encouraged.
April 23, 7:30 p.m. at the Bella Concert Hall, calgaryphil.com.
Sea of Lettuce/Pøltergeist
It’s two floors of music bliss at the Palomino, with something for everyone’s taste. Post-punk hunx Pøltergeist headline a gothy night upstairs, while dreamy indie troubadors Sea of Lettuce celebrate the release of their latest EP, Open Doors, downstairs.
April 24, 8 p.m. at the Palomino, thepalomino.ca.
The Sheepdogs
After a Rolling Stone cover contest rocketed The Sheepdogs to stardom, the rock band has raked in multi-platinum album sales and four Juno awards. And now they’re bringing their Saskei rock bangers to Calgary.
April 24, 6:30 p.m. at the Grey Eagle Resort and Casino, greyeagleresortandcasino.ca.
International Jazz Days Festival
End the month on a jazzy note. The annual JazzYYC Festival brings international and local musicians to some of Calgary’s finest venues. Alongside major concerts, the festival pairs its main lineup with smaller shows throughout the week, such as Celebrating Louis Armstrong at Bella Concert Hall and the Shane Statz Duo in a vintage ’20s-style speakeasy.
April 29 to May 5, multiple venues, jazzyyc.com.
Black Flag
It’s not your dad’s Black Flag coming to Calgary, because the band has a (yet another) new lineup. On the mic is Max Zannelly, the first-ever femme vocalist in the punk band’s nearly 50 years on stage. Don’t miss the Greg Ginn summer camp experience; they’re playing not one, but two sets back-to-back.
May 3, 7 p.m. at Dickens, dickensyyc.com.
Karak Aujla
This man made music chart history when his latest album, P-Pop Culture, debuted at the top of Billboard’s Punjabi-language chart. Catch Karan Aujla live before everyone claims they were a fan first.
May 6, 6 p.m. at the Saddledome, scotiabanksaddledome.com.
