The prince of satire and more great gigs this week

It seems most booking agents are not hip to our balmy pre-spring weather and have not booked most touring bands in our fair burg, which means this week is mainly made up of locals. Pickins may be a little slim this week but the rest of March will more than make up for it.

Thursday: If you were hoping to make the Born Ruffians and Aron D’Alessio show at Casa you aren’t gonna be able to squeeze in as it’s been sold out for awhile. Fortunately there are a couple of gigs that will probably be whole lot more fun. Two of Montreal’s promoters with hearts of gold, Blue Skies Turn Black and Analogue Addiction, are joining forces and putting on a great gig with Frigs, Fountain and Lemongrab at le Ritz. 179 Jean-Talon W., 9:30p.m., $13

If you like a little twang with your rock ‘n’ roll you can make it down to Katacombes to catch Buzz Deluxe and Filly and the Flops. 1635 St-Laurent, 10 p.m., $10

Saturday: For a night of great locals, make tracks to Casa for Tonnes, the stoner rock of Charrue and the krautrock and psych of Electrique Junk. 4873 St-Laurent, 9 p.m., $10/PWYC

If you want to make to Divan Orange before they finally call last call for good this month you can make it down to the electronic blips and bleeps of Automelodi, Bleu Nuit and Morthouse. 4234 St-Laurent, 9 p.m., $7

A night that will pack up with art-loving rock ‘n’ rollers will be happening at Barfly, with Lola Six, Planter, Light Bulb Alley and Massolit. 4062 St-Laurent, price & time unlisted

Tuesday: Quickly escalating from selling out Casa, Ought turn it up and will fill up Théatre Fairmount with Snail Mail and Common Holly. 4873 St-Laurent, 9 p.m., $18/$16 advance

Wednesday: One of my favourite shows from the last five years was the almighty Weird Al Yankovic at Jazz Fest a couple of summers ago. With almost a two-hour set-list there was never a boring moment as he just attacked the massive crowd with solid gold entertainment including one of the most mind-bending examples of scat singing I have ever seen. This easy big pick of the week is happening at Place des Arts, but instead of his state of the art gigantic show from a couple of years ago will show this prince of satire in a stripped down show that does away with all of the pyro, costumes, screened skits etc for a simple band only performance. I can guarantee you will love this. 175 Ste-Catherine W., 8 p.m., $54.75-$86.25

Current Obsession: Doug Stanhope, Acid bootleg
jonathan.cummins@gmail.com