Makthaverskan
Just as left-wing Swedish punk and prog groups of the 1970s denounced the evil “Antichrist” pop group that was ABBA, post-punks Makthaverskan are doing their bit to show the world that the Scandinavian country has more going on musically than Robyn’s big, shiny pop tunes.
The band formed in Gothenburg when the five members were teenagers, and found success in their native Sweden with the release of 2013’s Makthaverskan II album.
Much like another Gothenburg musical export – Love Is All – Makthaverskan’s sound strongly evokes the heyday of 80s post-punk, thanks to their massive melodies, mix of classic indie guitar sounds and go-for-broke singer Maja Milner.
But it wasn’t until American label Run for Cover reissued it last year that the band started to gain a following in North America. At the time, Milner had moved to Berlin and the band was in a creative slump, pondering a breakup. Energized by fresh attention, they booked a U.S. tour earlier this spring but hit a snag when visa issues forced them cancel half the dates.
Back on the road and working on a forthcoming record, they make their Toronto debut alongside Denmark’s Lower and Grimes labelmate Nicole Dollanganger.
At Smiling Buddha (961 College), Tuesday (October 6), doors 8 pm, all ages. $12. rotate.com, soundscapesmusic.com, ticketfly.com.
PURE BATHING CULTURE Drake Hotel (1150 Queen West), Thursday (October 1) 80s-esque indie pop from Portland.
BATTLES Lee’s Palace (529 Bloor West), Thursday (October 1) See album review here.
AUTECHRE Phoenix (410 Sherbourne), Thursday (October 1) Putting the “experimental” in EDM.
GHOST, PURSON Sound Academy (11 Polson), Thursday (October 1) Satanic Swedish pop metal.
A TALE OF TWO CITIES w/ Naturally Born Strangers, Wilde, Bread Doe, Frankie08, DJ Hustlgrl Tattoo (567 Queen West), Thursday (October 1) Toronto and Chicago acts.
FEAST IN THE EAST 53 w/ Jerusalem in My Heart, Jessica Moss, Rose Bolton & Music in the Barns, Khora Jam Factory Co (2 Matilda), Friday (October 2) Constellation Records duo.
TECH N9NE, KRISS KALIKO Phoenix (410 Sherbourne), Friday (October 2) Kansas City hip-hop icon.
TAYLOR SWIFT, VANCE JOY, SHAWN MENDES Rogers Centre (1 Blue Jays Way), Friday and Saturday (October 2 and 3) Please welcome to the stage…
VAG HALEN, NIKKI FIERCE Smiling Buddha (961 College), Friday and Saturday (October 2 and 3) Hard rockers play all-womyn covers.
JOAN ARMATRADING Koerner Hall (273 Bloor West), Saturday (October 3) Beloved Brit’s final world tour.
BOB MARLEY ALL STAR SHOW WITH LAZO & BAND Opera House (735 Queen East), Saturday (October 3) Former Wailers member.
CHVRCHES Danforth Music Hall (147 Danforth), Sunday and Monday (October 4 and 5) See preview here.
MIKE KROL, THE LORD ALMIGHTYS Drake Underground (1150 Queen West), Sunday (October 4) Snot-nosed garage punk.
MADONNA Air Canada Centre (40 Bay), Monday and Tuesday (October 5 and 6) Madge dips into her 80s catalogue.
COEUR DE PIRATE, KANDLE Phoenix (410 Sherbourne), Wednesday (October 7) See preview here.
