> CONCERT SAMPLER
Live music highlights from Oct. 1 to 7.
Thursday
Ben Caplan & the Casual Smokers, “40 Days and 40 Nights” The Hamilton-to-Halifax songwriter has a voice (and a beard) to beat the band and they’ll both get a workout here, with second LP Birds With Broken Wings just out, a collection of great ambition and scope. It tilts here and there along an axis that touches on soul, blues and Balkan, but it’s Caplan’s rasping vocals that best reflect his commitment; with relentless touring, the man works his butt off. (Mod Club, doors 7 p.m.)
Friday
Taylor Swift, “Out of the Woods” World’s biggest pop star is in for a two-night stand between Blue Jays games and it makes for an interesting week with a WBPS of another vintage, Madonna, following her. What to expect from this all-conquering 1989 Tour, built around the LP of the same name? “A triumph of class over sass,” said the Telegraph. Among the hits is the ongoing city-to-city narrative around her celeb guest du jour, a roster that’s included Beck and Lorde. Unfortunately, Josh Donaldson is on the road. (Rogers Centre, 7 p.m.)
Saturday
Joan Armatrading, “Love and Affection” This sold-out visit amounts to a departure on a number of fronts. Over her near 40-year career the West Indies-born, U.K.-raised Armatrading has worked with a number of quality bandmates (including favourite Mark Knopfler, himself here later this week), but for this avowed final major tour she’s flying solo, bringing only her formidable blues guitar chops, a piano and a songbook that includes many familiars including this one, her only top 10 single. (Koerner Hall, 8 p.m.)
Sunday
Chvrches, “Clearest Blue” As sweet as one of those deep-fried Mars bars from their native Scotland, the Glasgow trio’s shiny, triple-synth attack has enough bite and bounce to suggest they will outlast any attendant sugar hangovers. Two years removed from their buzzy T.O. debut, they’re in for a two-night stand. The polish and stadium-friendly hooks of second LP Every Open Eye and Lauren Mayberry’s increasingly confident stagecraft puts them among the U.K.’s finest and most venerable in that particular end of the pop patch. Next time around they may need Massey Hall or the ACC to accommodate their sound and ambition. (Danforth Music Hall, doors 7 p.m.)
Monday
Madonna, “Living for Love” Her royal Madgeness is making do with two nights in the next-biggest venue down the local concert food chain from Ms. Swift. She also brings to this Rebel Heart tour a history in this town that includes the infamous Blonde Ambition night that helped christen the SkyDome a quarter of a century ago, and a 2004 Re-Invention show that was among the most gobsmacking arena shows the Sampler’s ever seen. The output of late has been spotty, but this is Madonna, for Pete’s sake. Reviewers from this tour note she’s lost none of her eagerness to entertain while mining pop culture for ideas, serving up again one of those archetypal Really Big Shows. It’s the pick of a week replete with big names. (Air Canada Centre, 8 p.m.)
Tuesday
Mark Knopfler, “Beryl” If Chvrches amount to the present apex of Glasgow pop, here’s one of that Scottish city’s more foundational figures, a veteran guitarman returning with band in tow and, unlike last time here three years ago with Bob Dylan, the spotlight is all his. The set list cannily samples a fair amount of Dire Straits material for the fans who’ve made this one a sellout, but his own work carries much charm and quality, most recently this year’s subdued, very much late-career LP Tracker, and especially this single that is Knopfler at his finest: sumptuous player, writer and storyteller. (Massey Hall, 8 p.m.)
Wednesday
Mew, “Witness” Tuneful Scandinavian indie bands are a dime a dozen, but here’s one who — after a promising start — took some time off and have only recently returned to touring around their first LP in six years, plus or minus. It picks up on the Copenhagen foursome’s grand orchestral rock right where they parked it, holding several elements familiar to Sigur Ros and shoegaze fans in a fine balance, with striking visuals elevating their live shows. In their first time here since December 2009, they’re a worthy match for the night’s other contender in Coeur de Pirate at the Phoenix, with the tie broken by Mew’s support act the Dodos, always a fun bunch. (Lee’s Palace, doors 8 p.m.)