Welcome The Wooden Sky home at Lee’s Palace

There’s a lot on Let’s Be Ready, the fourth album from Toronto folk-rock outfit The Wooden Sky, that could convince a listener that the band looks forward to coming home. On the brilliant record, which was released in early September, frontman Gavin Gardiner sings about the nomadic lifestyle of a touring band, long bus rides and separated lovers—the sorts of things he and his bandmates have been grappling with since departing on a cross-Canada tour last month. In other words, the group is likely to be in high spirits when it hits Lee’s Palace for a pair of proper hometown gigs. Expect some high-voltage indie rock mixed with the atmospheric folk the band built its name on. Add opening performances from local experimental art rockers Absolutely Free, who released their debut album mere days ago, and the shows promise to be two massive, memorable homecoming parties.

Fri. Oct. 17–18. $17.50. Lee’s Palace, 529 Bloor St. W., 416-532-1598, chelsea-records.com.