After an absence of more than a year, Ottawa’s The Sick Sick Sicks are bringing their unique djangobilly energy back for one night only. For the occasion, they’ll be playing old tunes and work in a couple of new ones. The show is happening this Wednesday at Live on Elgin with The Vanier Playboys.
Ottawa experimental post-hardcore band Halfsleeper will be playing live at House of Targ this Wednesday night and this time around they’ll be sharing the stage with Ottawa garage indie grunge rockers Elementals, Toronto experimental indie math rock duo Milhouse and Toronto instrumental rock’n’rollers Vistas. 
From July 27-30, astonishing creatures will be invading Canada’s capital city. A North American first, La Machine will captivate audiences with its urban theatre on the streets of downtown Ottawa. The extraordinary, large-scale machines will be roaming the streets as part of Ottawa 2017 and the event is free to attend. Lots of street closures planned though so expect delays and get there by public transportation if possible.
Kitchener ambient project Romancer will be giving a live show at House of Targ this Thursday, July 27 alongside Ottawa emo indie band Castlefield, Ottawa garage pop group Swim Team and Ottawa indie rockers Nighttime in Kansas.
Calgary dream pop band Crystal Eyes are back in Ottawa this Friday, July 28 as part of their Radical Softness Tour. For the occasion, they’ll be sharing the stage with Montreal post punks Co/ntry, Calgary jangle folk project Marlaena Moore and Ottawa experimental psyche artist Trails.
If this show isn’t sold out yet, it will be. D.R.I., also known as Dirty Rotten Imbeciles, will be performing live at the Brass Monkey this Friday night. For this show, the Houston thrash/hardcore band will be joined on stage by Oshawa thrash/punks Punch Drunk, Ottawa metal group Näärtok and Ottawa hardcore/punks Asile.
Ottawa doom/metal band Loviatar is having an album release party at House of Targ this Friday, July 28 and to celebrate their new record, they’ll be playing live with Ottawa post-rockers Species at Risk and Ottawa post-punks Ultra Love.
The July edition of Hip Hop Karaoke is going down Friday night at the Elmdale with your usual hosts DJ So Nice and Atherton. If you want to perform by rapping that track you spent hours memorizing in front of the mirror, this is your chance to show Ottawa what you’re capable of.
The Strange People monthly dedicated to happiness, good times and curiosity is back this Friday night inside Mercury Lounge. Party people are invited to come as they are and enjoy the sounds of house, disco, techno and more. For the latest edition, DJ Pedro Dias will be on the mix, taking you on an eclectic musical journey.
In early March the Ottawa music scene lost Jean-Sebastien Belleau, better known as JS, and known to some as Johnny Moon-Hammock. To honour him, an epic bash has been organized at the Montgomery Legion in Centretown this Saturday, July 29. The day will feature many bands, as well as a softball tournament, a bike parade, and more. The goal is for all proceeds to be donated to Girls+ Rock Ottawa, a cause JS held near and dear to his heart.
Over in the Vieux-Hull sector of Gatineau this Saturday, July 29 is the 10th annual pétanque tournament being held at Fontaine Park. The free event will include animation all day, a BBQ and bar service as well as a play area for the little ones. Should be fun!
The first Somali Cultural Festival in 10 years is being held this Saturday, July 29 at Ottawa City Hall. For the occasion, there will be all kinds of tasty things to eat, as well as dance performances and other forms of entertainment. A family-friendly event that everyone is welcome to attend.
Over at the Minotaure in the Vieux-Hull this Saturday night, you can catch Gatineau-Montréal indie rockers Mumu Rae and Wakefield indie rock band Rebelle sharing the stage.
This Saturday night at Pressed Cafe, Montreal electronic pop band Raveen is celebrating the release of its “Always” LP on So Sorry Records. To mark the occasion, they’ll be giving a live show with Ottawa drone-experimental project mal/aimé, new Ottawa eletronic-dreampop project Jasper and Montreal alternative R&B artist Sara-Danielle.
Ottawa’s The Powergoats will be headlining a great night of local music at the Blacksheep Inn this Saturday. Opening the show will be local acoustic folk rock duo Etoile Noire and Ottawa indie ska punk/rock band The Superlative.
Toronto punk rockers Teenanger are back in Ottawa this Saturday night and this time around they’ll be rocking House of Targ with Hamilton punks Sweet Dave & The Shallow Graves, Ottawa garage punks Average Times and Ottawa pop super group newcomers New Calling.
Bangarang is going down this Saturday night at Happy Goat Coffee. If you love the sound of Studio One and Trojan Records, then this night featuring music selections by DJs Magnificent and Longshot is definitely for you. The focus is on early reggae, rocksteady and ska from Jamaica’s exciting 1966-1975 period with a heavy focus on 1968-1971.
This Saturday night, Deep Therapy is taking over the Mercury Lounge with DJs Sergio Pari, Ali Harb, Blake Sutherland and Tone A. This monthly dance party showcases the sounds of deep and cutting edge house music in a unique and inviting atmosphere that defies the ordinary. It’s your remedy from the mainstream, so let loose and dance.
Dubstep/trap/house DJ and Producer Borgore is bringing his making a return to Ottawa this Saturday, July 29. The Israeli electronic dance music producer will be giving a live set at Barrymores and tickets are selling fast so act quick if you want to be there.
Ottawa’s own Chef Chico and Aunt Thelma’s are hosting the next Hip Hop Hangover Brunch this Sunday, July 30. Happening at Kinki, the popular event will feature a finger-licking good thematic menu paired with beats provided by Professor Mele and friends. One of the most solid brunches that you’ll ever try, trust me and my tummy.
Ottawa punk rockes Free Refills are having an EP release show at Live on Elgin this Sunday to celebrate their debut record “Nearly Expired”. They’ll be playing live with Ottawa folk punks Project Mantra, Ottawa rockers Cevilain and Ottawa alternative punks The Weak Attractions who are reuniting for the occasion.
