Rating: NNNNN
The Roots, Jean Grae, Skillz
Kool Haus (132 Queens Quay East), tonight (Thursday, May 13)
Philly’s finest hiphop heroes are known for killer shows, but make sure you get there early to catch prolific rap world ghostwriter Skillz and dope femcee Jean Grae. See feature, page 73.
Hawksley Workman
Danforth Music Hall (147 Danforth), Friday (May 14)
The pride of Huntsville, Ontario, treats his more mature fans to a tastefully restrained sit-down affair at the Music Hall, but if watching Workman rock out is your thing, catch the Saturday night show at the Palais Royale (1601 Lakeshore West), where he’ll be joined by his Wolves band.
Johnny Dowd, Anagram
Silver Dollar (486 Spadina), Friday (May 14)
You’re always in for a scary good time with outsider soul man Johnny Dowd. Let’s just be thankful he’s still focusing his troubled mind on music.
Supersuckers
Horseshoe (370 Queen West), Friday (May 14)
If Seattle rock ‘n’ roll hooligans the Supersuckers make it across the border for their two-night stand at the Shoe, they’ll doubtless have some sordid customs-officer anecdotes to share.
The Thrills, Matt Mays and El Torpedo
Phoenix (410 Sherbourne), Saturday (May 15)
Although Irish indie upstarts the Thrills are getting ink for their spin on sunny California pop, the real draw is East Coast rock ‘n’ roll threat Matt Mays. Hopefully, he’ll show off his killer new tunes at this Phoenix gig.
Oh Susanna, Martha Wainwright
Lee’s Palace (529 Bloor West), Saturday (May 15)
It’s a folk-singing showdown at Lee’s Palace, with a slight hometown advantage going to Oh Susanna. But you can never count those feisty Wainwrights out of any competition set in an establishment where drinks are served.
