Concert Announcments / Music News (January 20, 2010)

It doesn't look like a go for me this year (although that could change) for the Coachella festival taking place in Indio, California from April 16 - 18. Not as strong as previous years' lineups but still there's a lot to see. I mainly not enthused by the headliners with the exception of Day Three featuring Gorillaz and Pavement. I guess I have from now until early April to make up my mind. Perusing the lineup, Canadian acts making the trip to Coachella this year include Jets Overhead, Tokyo Police Club, and Owen Pallett, which seems like a smaller Canadian contingent than in previous years.

Like he hadn't already played live enough over the last 12 months, but Gentleman Reg's prepared to do it hardcore when he sets up residency at The Drake Underground every Wednesday in February. The lineups are as follows:

February 3rd w/ Hooded Fang & Kite Hill
February 10th w/ By Divine Right & The Balconies
February 17th w/ Dance Yourself To Death & Sheezer
February 24th w/ Evening Hymns & Special guests.

Tickets are $10 in advance at Rotate This and Soundscapes or can also be purchased through GalleryAC.com (which also includes a free digital download of his new "Heavy Head" EP. Doors are at 9 pm with the show at 9:30 pm for each night of the residency.

The Diableros have a few new local dates including a February 20 date at the Horseshoe. Also on the bill are local cow-punks The Schomberg Fair.

On March 9th of 2010 (March 8th in the UK), Jagjaguwar will release The Besnard Lakes' new album "Are the Roaring Night" with the band scheduled to play as part of Canadian Musicfest in Toronto at the Horseshoe on March 11. (tourdate via Outside Music).

Also via Outside Music, Toronto's The Sadies have some tourdates around the Golden Horseshoe (although no Toronto date) over the next several months, while the band's Myspace also fleshes out their itinerary with a couple of US dates(NYC & Rochester).

As chartattack pointed out, Jason Collett, Zeus and Bahamas will be kicking off a Canadian tour together at Canadian Musicfest in Toronto at Lee's Palace on March 10. Zeus will release their debut album "Say Us" on February 23 through Arts & Crafts while Collett releases his newest album "Rat A Tat" on March 9 also through Arts & Crafts.

Oklahoma City's The Uglysuit are set to roll through Toronto for Canadian Musicfest for several showcase sets it seems according to their Myspace. Their MySpace indicates that they'll be part of the Billions showcase at Lee's Palace on March 13.

I should be probably be more excited but the fact is that I'm not as familar with Joanna Newsom's music as most of you. But I like her enough that I think I want to see her live when she plays the Phoenix on March 13. The new Joanna Newsom album is entitled "Have One on Me" and it's out February 23. Maybe I should dust of her debut "The Milk-Eyed Mender" and acquaint myself with that first.

Still in support of 2009's "Mean Everything To Nothing", Manchester Orchestra are at The Mod Club with The Features, Biffy Clyro, and O’Brother on March 27.

Rocky Votolato stops in at The Drake Hotel for a show on April 5 in promotion of their newest CD "True Devotion". Tickets $13 in advance.

Via Pollstar, UK's Little Boots will be at the Phoenix Concert Theatre on April 30.

As confirmed by Sub Pop and Inland Empire Touring, Handsome Furs will be perform at El Mocambo on March 12 as part Canadian Music Week.

Who knew UK folkies would be so popular in T.O.? To play it safe I'd picked up my tickets for both Laura Marling (Feb 9) and Mumford and Sons (Feb 15) a few weeks ago before they'd sold out but both shows have been moved to larger venues - Marling's show moved from The Drake Underground to Lee's Palace and Mumford and Son's show from the El Mocambo to Lee's as well. The respective dates still stand. Get your tickets while you can. NME reports that Marling is set to release two new albums this year, firstly her second album entitled "I Speak Because I Can" set to be released on March 2, and then Marling plans to record another album which is scheduled for a September release. The Guardian has Marling's new music video below:

Video: Laura Marling - "Devil's Spoke" (music video)

Unconfirmed at the moment, but Pollstar is listing Joel Plaskett Emergency playing The Mod Club on March 13. I guess it's a definite possibility since the date is during Canadian Musicfest and Plaskett is already confirmed for the festival.

Finally, psych-rock vets Brian Jonestown Massacre will be hitting three continents from February through to June on their upcoming tour including a date in Toronto at the Phoenix on June 2. I'm sure some of you will be very excited for this. As chartattack reports, the band will release their new album "Who Killed Sgt. Pepper?" on February 23.