1. Surf Wax America, Weezer
If summer-obsessed Torontonians could ride Lake Ontario’s waves to work on surfboards, they surely would. Local tribute band Sheezer probably know the tune – plus all the other nostalgic Blue Album hits – better than the band themselves.
Sheezer play Lee’s Palace (529 Bloor West), Friday (May 30), doors 9 pm. $13.50. HS, RT, SS, TF.
2. On The Beach, Absolutely Free
Toronto psych-pop trio Absolutely Free are so committed to the water theme that they premiered their On The Beach/Clothed Woman, Sitting EP at an indoor pool. (Being March, it was presumably too cold for the actual beach.) On The Beach isn’t your typical three-and-a-half-minute, top-40 summer singalong: it’s seven minutes of dreamy, mellow-synth-line, astral-rock heaven.
Absolutely Free play Mercer Union (1286 Bloor West), Friday (May 30), 8 pm. $10.
3. Burn Slow, NDMA
Of his love interest in Burn Slow, Ottawa’s Nilton De Menezes (aka NDMA) says, “I met her in the wintertime / she got me feeling like summertime.” Well, if he can heat up the capital with his skittery electro-rap blend, imagine what the emcee/singer/producer can do on College Street.
NDMA plays Weldon Park (569 College), Saturday (May 31), doors 10 pm. $10.
4. Tropical Chancer, La Roux
La Roux’s first album since her 2009 debut isn’t out until July 8, but a live version of Tropical Chancer – peppy, poppy and, yes, tropical (are those steel drums?) – has appeared on SoundCloud, making us salivate for the studio version. This weekend, cure your Sunday-night blues with a live preview.
La Roux plays the Danforth Music Hall (147 Danforth), Sunday (June 1), doors 7 pm. $20.50-$35.50. RT, SS, TM.
5. Money Made Me Do It, A-Game featuring Luu Breeze
What’s a summer playlist without something loud, with an infectious beat and shout-it-out chorus? Something to annoy the neighbours with? Something to blare with your windows down? Local hip-hop duo A-Game to the rescue.
A-Game play the Phoenix (410 Sherbourne) as part of Roc The Mic, Saturday (May 31), doors 9 pm, $20-$30. PDR, TG.
