CRITIC’S PICKS: ICE CUBE, CÒIG, KATIE PRUITT
ICE CUBE
Where: Save-on-Foods Memorial Centre, 1925 Blanshard St. When: Tuesday, April 23, 7 p.m. Tickets: Sold out
Why: Ice Cube’s extended tour of Canada refuses to let up, with a growing succession of sold-out dates on the rapper’s itinerary. The second leg of his 20-date trek across the country gets underway Tuesday in Victoria, and fans are clearly jacked at the opportunity to see the N.W.A. co-founder in person and on these shores for the first time since 2011. The show is sold-out, but if you were ever going to navigate the tricky secondary ticket marketplace, Cube’s throwdown on Tuesday would be an opportune time to dip your toes into the pool. This has the makings of one of the best hiphop shows in Victoria history.
CÒIG
Where: Mary Winspear Centre, 2243 Beacon Ave., Sidney
When: Sunday, April 21, 7:30 p.m. Tickets: $48.05 from marywinspear.ca
Why: This traditional trio from Cape Breton is led by the husband-and-wife team of Rachel Davis and Darren McMullen, who sing and play everything from fiddle, viola, and banjo to mandolin, bouzouki, and pennywhistle. With the addition of Zakk Cormier on guitar, Còig delivers true-blue Celtic music, with an Acadian authenticity woven into each note.
KATIE PRUITT
Where: Capital Ballroom, 858 Yates St.
When: Monday, April 22, 8 p.m. (doors at 7)
Tickets: $35.51 from thecapitalballroom.com
Why: Atlanta-born Nashvillebased Katie Pruitt has a subtle way about her, which gives Mantras, the Americana performer’s first album in five years, an understated effectiveness. There’s nothing showy here, just soaring, note-perfect vocals and songwriting chops that hint at a very bright future. Religion, faith and spirituality (and the positives and negatives therein) provide the framework for Mantras, but Pruitt’s voice is what stands apart. It’s a whopper of a weapon.