Shortlist

Billy Talent
Toronto: Wed., Apr. 6, 7 pm, Scotiabank Arena
Calgary: Mon., May 2, 7 pm, Grey Eagle Event Centre
Vancouver: Fri., May 6, 7 pm, Pacific Coliseum
$60 – $200
billytalent.com

Earlier this year, Mississauga hard rockers returned with Crisis of Faith, their first full-length album in six years. Now, they’re heading out on the road with the help of some friends. The Canadian tour with stops in all three NEXT cities is divided between the east and the west. An all around socially and politically progressive lineup, the east will be supported by punk rock icons Rise Against, while the west will be treated to the anarchist sounds of Anti-Flag. On all shows is Toronto’s all-female rock group No Bro. This tour packs the high energy we’ve been missing these last few years.

Where: In theatres
When: Fri., May 6
Genre: Action

The Marvel Cinematic Universe is an unstoppable machine. From their original TV series WandaVision and Loki to the new Spider-Man instalments, the stories continue and the fan theories grow. Benedict Cumberbatch resumes his role as Dr. Stephen Strange and teams up with other beloved characters Scarlet Witch (Elizabeth Olsen) and Wong (Benedict Wong) to explore the existence of multiple dimensions. With cinematography from John Mathieson (Gladiator, The Phantom of the Opera) and music by Danny Elfman, it’s bound to be a treat.

Coachella
Fri., April 15 – Sun., April 17
Virtual event
Free
youtube.com/coachella

The infamous Coachella Valley Music and Arts Festival returns in full force this month, and you don’t have to fly to the California desert to experience it. Catch performances from three different stages live streamed from the Coachella YouTube channel all weekend long during the festival’s opening weekend. Plan your three-day viewing schedule, watch live artist interviews and jump between sets without breaking a sweat. This year’s lineup includes Harry Styles, Billie Eilish, Megan Thee Stallion, Doja Cat and Canada’s Daniel Caesar.

Coastal Dance Festival
Wed., April 20 – Sun., April 24
Performing arts festival
Free – $30
Anvil Centre, 777 Columbia St., New Westminster, B.C.
damelahamid.ca/coastal-dance-festival-2022

Be swept off your feet by British Columbia’s leading Indigenous dance company, Dancers of Damelahamid, at the 15th annual Coastal Dance Festival. Sharing rich history and contemporary moves, this four-day event includes performances by Sámi artists Liv Aira, Marika Renhuvud and Sara Marielle Gaup as part of Nordic Bridges. Calgary readers looking for a breathtaking performance can catch Cinderella at the Alberta Ballet (Thurs., April 28 – Sat., April 7) while Toronto is treated to the North American premiere of dance piece STORY, STORY, DIE from Norway’s Alan Lucien Øyen at Harbourfront Centre (Tue., June 28 – Wed., June 29).

Allie X
Vancouver: Wed., April 13, 8 pm, Rio Theatre
Toronto: Sun., April 24, 7 pm, Phoenix Concert Theatre
$30
alliex.com

Rising Canadian indie-pop artist Allie X hits the road this spring and visits two NEXT cities. The avant-garde soprano was once endorsed by Katy Perry and is a frequent collaborator of Troye Sivan and Leland. A vocal advocate for the LGBTQ+ community, she recently teamed up with Ru Paul’s Drag Race winner Violet Chachki for an ’80s-inspired track. There’s no doubt Allie’s stage outfits will be just as impressive as her vocal performance — this is a tour you don’t want to miss!