Head to the Horseshoe for Fucked Up, “the planet’s best band”

Metalhead or not, it’s not hard to understand why Harper’s recently described Fucked Up as “currently the planet’s best band.” There’s the energy: shirtless frontman Damian Abraham growling, jumping and hugging his way through lengthy live sets. There’s the acclaim: the group’s 2009 album, David Comes to Life, won the Polaris Music Prize, and its latest, Glass Boys, has been widely praised. And, of course, there’s the music: ambitious, unpredictable, unapologetically loud and undeniably smart. Toronto fans will have an opportunity to see for themselves this weekend, when the Toronto hardcore six-piece plays back-to-back shows at the Horseshoe. Local feminist art rockers Vag Halen will open the sold-out Friday show, and Alvvays (whom we’ve recommended previously) will play the Saturday matinee. Either performance would be an excellent—if slightly sweaty—primer for the arts-and-culture mayoral debate Abraham is set to moderate two days later.

Fri. Sept. 26 and Sat. Sept. 27. $15. Horseshoe Tavern, 370 Queen St. W., 416-598-4226, horseshoetavern.com.