David Lavoie Quartet
Guitarist, trumpeter, and all-around man-about-town David Lavoie — who you may recognize from local post-punk act Temps — is leading his jazz band in a series of sweet Sunday gigs throughout the month. May 4, 18, and June 1 at Betty Lou’s Library, 908 17 Ave. S.W., bettylouslibrary.com.
Chris Webby w/ Ekoh, Grieves, Whitney Peyton, and Rook Director
The “last wednesday tour (part 4)” lands in Calgary as Chris Webby brings the rap heat and intricate wordplay. Ninjas unite! May 8, 8 p.m. at the Back Alley, 4630 Macleod Tr. S.W., backalleycalgary.com.
Candlelight
Two concerts by candlelight in one night! Check out Vivaldi’s “Four Seasons” and other classical selections, followed by A Tribute to Adele as you’ve never heard her before. May 9, 6:30 and 8:30 p.m. at Studio Bell, 850 4 St. S.E., studiobell.ca.
Nitty Gritty Dirt Band
For nearly six decades, the Nitty Gritty Dirt Band has kept American country and roots music alive and thriving … and now, you can join them! May 9, 7:30 p.m. at the Jubilee, 415 14 Ave. N.W., calgaryphil.com.
Pack Rat w/ Smoocher, Spec Realists, and Nuisance
It’s power-pop rock heaven at the barbecue palace. Watch for Helen Young (host of The Future Language on CJSW) singing for Smoocher, and grab their new tape! May 10, 8 p.m. at the Palomino, 109 7 Ave. S.W., thepalomino.ca.
Narcissistic Necrosis w/ Big Pharma, Beaver Fever, affordable housing, and RATFUCK
A ruthless night of death metal, grindcore, and distorted noise invades Calgary’s coolest coffee shop, which you may recognize from last month’s venue profile. May 10, 7 p.m. at Loophole Coffee Bar, 750 10 St. S.W., loophole-coffee-bar.com.
Obscura w/ Atheist, Origin, Decrepit Birth, and Fractal Universe
It’s “Shred Fest” on the outer edge of downtown, featuring technical death metal legends Obscura headlining a crushing night of heaviness. May 13, 5:30 p.m. at Dickens, 1000 9 Ave. S.W., dickensyyc.com.
Godspeed You! Black Emperor
Montreal post-rock pioneers GSY!BE are returning to Calgary. Haven’t seen them? Expect entrancing instrumental music, intense visuals, and high emotions. May 13, 7 p.m. at The Palace, 219 8 Ave. S.W., thepalacetheatre.ca.
Reuben and the Dark w/ The Bullhorn Singers
These hometown indie darlings are bringing their “All These Roads” tour to the Bella, in collaboration with The Bullhorn Singers. Iskotoah’ka William Wadsworth leads the traditional powwow champions, and you may have heard their music in the trailer for Scorsese’s latest, Killers of the Flower Moon. May 16, 6:30 p.m. at the Bella Concert Hall, 4825 Mount Royal Gate S.W., tickets.mru.ca.
Elena Erin
Fresh off the release of her new album Roaring 20s, Elena Erin is set to bring alt-pop goodness and all the feelings to Barley Belt. May 17, 7:30 p.m. at the Limber Hollow, 4034 4 St. S.E., limber-hollow.squarespace.com.
Mall Grab
Jordan Alexander’s potent blend of techno drive and house beats has been lighting up stages in 2015, and his tech-house anthem “iluv” went viral last year. See what all the fuss is about! May 18, 9 p.m. at Commonwealth, 731 10 Ave. S.W., commonwealthbar.ca.
Rockin’ 4 Dollar$ x Sled Island edition
Get a taste of Sled Island’s local lineup at this R4$ takeover, featuring musicians playing at the festival, Sled-adjacent acts, and an hour-long panel beforehand about the ins and outs of being in a band. All ages welcome!
May 22, 7 p.m. at the BLOX Arts Centre, 834 11 Ave. S.W., sledisland.com
YYC Hip Hop Underground
Polo Sho, ‘25 Scenester Tea Fannie, TALEBSON, and Bkay Won are just some artists to catch at this speaker-bustin’ local rap showcase. May 23, 8 p.m. at the Palomino, 109 7 Ave. S.W., thepalomino.ca.
Gene Farris w/ Guess Who
Chicago’s house EDM scene makes a detour to Stephen Avenue! Gene Farris’ career spans three decades of house beats, techno energy, and disco attitude. May 24, 9 p.m. at Sub Rosa, 200 8 Ave. S.W., subrosayyc.com.
Ziggy Alberts
This Australian folk heartthrob creates a sun-kissed brand of indie folk rock that feels deeply influenced by his surfing background. May 25, 7 p.m. at MacEwan Hall, 424 Collegiate Blvd. N.W., machallconcerts.com.
Eye of Newt w/ Bluffing, Non-Ultras, and CGSW
Work Perks, the latest full-length album from local art-rock band Eye of Newt, is dropping on vinyl this year on the heels of last year’s killer release Stay In Your Lane. And everyone’s invited to celebrate! May 30, 8 p.m. at the Palomino, 109 7 Ave. S.W., thepalomino.ca.
Mahler’s Resurrection
Join Calgary Phil’s Rune Bergmann for his final concert as music director, leading the orchestra through a powerful performance of Gustav Mahler’s Second Symphony. May 30 and 31, 7:30 p.m. at the Jack Singer, 225 8 Avenue S.E., calgaryphil.com.
XOXTIX w/ INVRSN
A self-proclaimed “bass-music boy band,” XOXTIX brings the twerk rap heat and subwoofer-busting grooves to Cowtown. Entry is free before 10:30 p.m. if you download a ticket! May 31, 8 p.m. at the Back Alley, 4630 MacLeod Tr. S.W., backalleycalgary.com.
ZZ Top w/ The Wallflowers
Big beards, fast cars, and boogie riffs — ZZ Top has been the gift that keeps on giving since 1969. This is your chance to see a vital piece of blues rock history, Calgary! June 4, 6:30 p.m. at the Grey Eagle Event Centre, 3777 Grey Eagle Dr., greyeagleresortandcasino.ca.
Saturday Jam w/ Tim Williams
Pay a visit to the brand new Blues Can location and get your roots rock jam on, hosted by local blues maestro Tim Williams. Grab some Cajun food while you’re at it — we recommend the gumbo. June 7, 3 p.m. at the Blues Can, 2002 16 Ave. N.W., thebluescan.com.
