How to black out on Nuit Blanche

If you’re like me, you’ll soon be tripping balls in sub-zero conditions. Here are the top picks for heavy events this week — extra heavy on Nuit Blanche (Saturday).

facebookWell, this weekend is Nuit Blanche, and to me and some of my friends, that means only one thing: tripping balls in sub-zero conditions. Be careful out there, and remember: buy from a reputable dealer and never take more than you can handle. Also, even though your drug-addled noggin may try and convince you it’s warm out, don’t be a fuckhead and take your jacket off. You’ll look a fucking idiot (à la CFL fan) and will instantly become a cop magnet (heat score!) and a total bummer to hang with. Party safe!

Thursday: Well tonight is definitely the most stacked night as far as quality goes, and should prove to cause a brain hemorrhage for any discerning fan of underground music.

First up is one of my favourite bands in Montreal, Suuns, who will get their wild jams on with Disappears featuring Sonic Youth’s Steve Shelley behind the traps at le Ritz. 179 Jean-Talon W., 9 p.m., $15 [Ed.’s Note: This show is now sold out.]

Suuns would’ve been the easy choice tonight if not for the return of Wrekmeister Harmonies with Thierry Amar, Sophie Trudeau and Tim Herzog from GY!BE playing behind minimalist composer JR Robinson. This is all going down at Sala. Whatever decision you make here, both shows guaranteed to be stunning. 4848 St-Laurent, 8:30 p.m., $8

Friday: For those of you who made it to Wrekmeister Harmonies show, you may want to keep yer drone on when the Atomic Cosmoline Electric Symphony Orchestra and Plasmatic Choir will take a stab at a minimalist masterpiece, Terry Riley’s “In C,” at Sala. This should definitely blow your lid off. Opening is the strange Spaghetti Western, surf soundtrack and free jazz freak-outs of the Artsy Chicks with the This Many Boyfriends Club. 4848 St-Laurent, 7 p.m., $7

Saturday: To start your Saturday off right, head down to one of the best wax shacks in the city, Sound Central, to check out Dopethrone’s listening party of their new doom-laden classic Hochelaga. This will all go down at (drum roll please)….4:20 p.m., natch. 4486 Coloniale, 4:20 p.m.

Conversely you can celebrate la Nuit Noire with the droney delights of thisquietarmy and fellow psychonauts Black Givre, Drub, Evoked Response and more at la Passe. 1214 de la Montagne, doors 8 p.m., show 9 p.m., $5 before 8 p.m./$8

Another night for wearing all black attire during la Nuit Blanche would be at Barfly for a night with Venomenon, Dizastra and Devora. 4062 St-Laurent, 9 p.m., $5

The fab folks behind Eastern Bloc have a great night cooked up at le Ritz with Toronto’s Petra Glynt, Xarah Dion, Marie Davidson, Mathematique with DJ Babi Audi keeping the room spinning. 179 Jean-Talon W., 11 p.m., $5/PWYC

Sunday: Ultravox fans will want to get a babysitter when legend Midge Ure plays a set with Kat Goldman at Sala. Yell out all of your favourite later-period Thin Lizzy songs to really fuck with Ure’s mind. (Go ahead and Google it, Poindexter.) 4848 St-Laurent, 8 p.m., $26

Tuesday: Finally, you will definitely want to make it down to Casa early to make sure you get in for the much-ballyhooed Heat. Heat better bring some heat on Tuesday as well because they have to follow one of the best new bands in the city, Beat Cops. Openers are Child Actor. 4873 St-Laurent, 9 p.m., $8/$10

 

Current Obsession: Husker Du, Zen Arcade

jonathan.cummins@gmail.com