Happy fake spring everyone! It’s that week of the year when it sort of, kind of, somewhat feels like spring so people go a little crazy after all the hibernation. My personal favorite is guessing how many people you’ll see in shorts on any given outing.
So enjoy it while it lasts and head out for some live music. Here are some good choices for you this weekend.
Al Di Meola
One of the highlights of the week will be when legendary jazz-latin fusion guitarist Al Di Meola takes to the stage at Salle Pierre-Mercure on Saturday night. His current tour is in support of his most recent album Elysium while at the same time paying homage to the album Elegant Gypsy which turns 40 this year.
Regulars of the jazzfest should know Di Meola very well, he won the Miles Davis Award back in 2015 for his lifetime of work and is a staple of the jazz community. Spending an evening with this master of both the electric and acoustic guitar is well worth it of you want to see a true professional who is still at the top of his game.
Al Di Meola plays Salle Pierre-Mercure, 300 Boulevard de Maisonneuve E, Saturday, February 25th, 8:00pm, $69.36 – $ 213.07 available through box office.
Emmett McCleary + Sweat + BBQT
On Friday La Vitrola will be hosting a “kickoff party” for Montreal based singer/songwriter Emmett McCleary who will be heading out on a brief but jam packed tour the very next day. His latest track Dream Lover is insanely catchy and currently stuck in my head. Give it a listen, it will most likely get stuck in yours.
Joining Emmett will be Sweat and winner of this week’s most clever band name BBQT. Say it out loud and you’ll get it, or listen to their self titled track below. Fun and catchy is the name of the game for this show and with three bands for only eight bucks this is a great option for you to consider if you’re looking for something on Friday night and are a little financially challenged.
Emmett McCleary, Sweat and BBQT play La Vitrola, 4602 Boulevard St. Laurent, Friday, February 24th, 9:00pm, $8 / PWYC at the door.
Kinouk + Cold Folks + Ashpants
On Saturday Fattal is lending its stage to punk rock of the acoustic variety (a.k.a folk punk) with Kinouk, Cold Folks and Ashpants set to play fun, fast, energetic tunes that won’t make your ears bleed. This is perfect for all the old curmudgeons of the world who like to stand up to the establishment at reasonable volumes.
If you don’t know much about these bands or this style of music then give a listen to this live track by Cold Folks. A fun song to begin with, it also features a kazoo solo! Something the world needs more of at this moment in time.
Kinouk, Cold Folks and Ashpants play Fattel, Saturday, February 25th, 10:00pm, $5 / PWYC at the door.
* Featured image courtesy Al Di Meola
* Know a band or an artist that should be featured in Shows This Week? Maybe a show FTB should cover, too? Let us know at music@forgetthebox.net. We can’t be everywhere and can’t write about everything, but we do our best!
