> CONCERT SAMPLER
Live music highlights for Oct 20 to 26:
The Pack A.D. “So What” Out of Vancouver, Maya Miller and Becky Black’s cathartic garage rock anthems manage the neat trick of massaging the brain as they burn up the club. Their latest record explores “the numbing day-to-day routine of depression and the fantastical ways that we look to mask it from ourselves and others,” as Miller put it in a release. Naturally, it’s called Positive Thinking, and there are plenty of reasons to be bullish about this evening besides, the ’Shoe having fit them well in the past, and similarly aligned locals Rooftop Love Club among a solid threesome of bands down the bill. (Thursday, Horseshoe, doors 8:30 p.m.)
Gord Downie “Secret Path” Secret Path is a 10-song collection built around the story of Chanie Wenjack, a 12-year-old Anishinaabe boy who died on the night of Oct. 22, 1966, during a 500-kilometre walk home from the residential school he’d been taken to three years earlier. The project, three years in the making, has assumed especial poignancy now as Tragically Hip frontman Gord Downie edges off the stage, and this one show here to perform coincides with this week’s release of the album and graphic novel and an Oct. 23 airing of the animated film on CBC, to raise awareness and money for reconciliation efforts. With all that on the line, it’s pick of the week. (Friday, Roy Thomson Hall, 8 p.m.)
Sia “Bird Set Free” According to Billboard, she already has several songs likely to earn nominations for the next Oscars, and it’s no surprise: Sia’s big, theatrical tunes are as well shaped for the silver screen as they’ve been for the pop collaborators she’s written for. More than just an arena-filling pop star, she’s also less than a spotlit diva: for this tour she’s been planting herself upstage while the dancers frolic in front amid gaudy visuals. The oversized bow on top of her bewigged head completes the gift package. Soul man Miguel warms up what looms as a very good stadium show. (Saturday, Air Canada Centre, 7 p.m.)
Kayo Dot “And He Built Him a Boat” Singer and multi-instrumentalist Toby Driver is the one constant in this staunchly idiosyncratic band that has Positive Thinking.
pricked up the ears of John Zorn’s free-wheeling label, his eight albums since 2003 evolving stylistically from progressive metal to touch on prog, classical, jazz and goth, with allegiance to no particular genre. Latest release Plastic House on Base of Sky is a brooding guitar-and-synth affair, having more in common with Tangerine Dream and The Cure than any current trends. While the songs are complex, atmospherics are the godhead, which makes sense — this group exists in its own universe. (Baby G, doors 9 p.m.)
Pwr Bttm “West Texas” Youthful, dynamic Brooklyn guitar & drums duo possesses two big bonuses: an unstoppable sense of humour (“we can do our makeup in the parking lot / we can get so famous that we both get shot,” kvetches drummer Liv Bruce) and an inventive axe wielder in Ben Hopkins who adds lots of cool textures to the rockage, with stage presence to spare. Wearing fetching frocks, glittered up and swapping instruments is all in a day’s work for this pair, delivering sharp, playful songs detailing genderqueer life in America. Art rockers Bellows and popster Lisa Prank open. (Monday, Silver Dollar, doors 8 p.m.)
Cass McCombs “Opposite House” “Mine is an opposite house — rain inside, but it’s sunny out.” There goes McCombs again, ever the contrarian, with Angel Olsen cooing alongside and taking her place among the album’s 22 helpers for this prime cut from Mangy Love, his latest and most lushly produced record yet. Such songcraft and attendant respect from his peers comes wellearned — Britt Daniel of indie titans Spoon once told the Sampler that McCombs was the one musician he’d most like to play with, and Daniel’s not alone. Upping the appeal are his three bandmates along this tour — ace bass man/co-producer Dan Horne, Otto Hauser on drums and Frank LoCrasto on keys. (Wednesday, Horseshoe, doors 8:30 p.m.)