The top concerts in Toronto this April will have the last go of it before music festivals swallow your weekends and the contents of your wallet until September. Maybe due to a lull before festival-mania, most of the best shows this month showcase local talent, which makes a little tulip bloom inside your heart, doesn't it?

Our new overlord of internet-influenced Toronto darkwave recordings and dance parties, DETH Records, is turning one year old on the 7th at Bambi's. There's also Buddy Guy at Massey Hall, which should be a dream, and a charming, eclectic lineup at Smiling Buddha with Moon King, Lee Paradise, and Blunt Chunks.

Love connection-wise, Toronto Music Missed Connections are dying down on Craigslist. Maybe you're all settling down, or maybe there's a Facebook group I don't know about. We've got a potential couple whose mutual interests include Babymetal, slime punk, and rap, and a Koerner Hall missed connection structured around the orchestra - how awkward for them.

Here are my picks for live music in Toronto this April.

Saukrates (April 5, Revival)
Legendary rap pioneer Saukrates appears in our top Toronto rappers and top rap album lists. His relevance is carrying on with a new record that's earned a 2015 Best Rap Recording JUNO nomination. Don't miss this chance to see him live an at Revival. M

Track Could Bend (April 7, Johnny Jackson)
The live show I'm most excited for this month is Joe Strutt of Mechanical Forest Sound's new monthly experimental showcase, Track Could Bend. Normally he's the one recording/bootlegging the show, but here he's handpicked the lineup, including Allison Cameron, Michael Lynn and Michael Keith, and Jesse James Laderoute. History in the making - don't miss it.

Decibel Tour (April 8, Phoenix)
Metal magazine Decibel returns with its fourth annual tour featuring some of the biggest modern names of the genre. This time 'round, catch the reunited (again) Swedish death metallers At the Gates, hardcore innovators Converge, old-school doom crew Pallbearer, and the crushing riffs of Vallenfyre. SK

Screaming Females (April 10, Silver Dollar)
New Jersey trio Screaming Females have kind of sneakily become one of the best rock bands around over their decade-long existence, helmed by frontwoman Marissa Paternoste's raucous screams (band name is apt) and mind-blowing guitar solos. This cheapy gig at the Silver Dollar, on the heels of new album Rose Mountain, is a very economical way to get your face melted on a Friday night. SK

Earl Sweatshirt (April 14, Opera House)
Odd Future member Earl Sweatshirt's had a lot of bad luck with tours, having to cancel past ones due to pneumonia and exhaustion, but it looks like he's mended enough for an extensive upcoming North American/UK jaunt. The "Not Redy 2 Leave" tour brings the rapper to the Opera House with openers Vince Staples and Remy Banks. SK

Jessy Lanza (April 23, Tattoo)
Hamilton's one and only Jessy Lanza is bringing her smooth sound to Toronto again alongside River Tiber and Allie. It's one of those $3 with advance RSVP deals, so get on it.

Princess Century (April 24, The Garrison)
Drummer / producer / DJ Maya Postepski isn't only a present and past member of some of Toronto's most well known acts including Austra. She performs solo as strange and wonderful electronic artist Princess Century. Also on the bill are A Dream, A Coast and NYSSA.

DIANETICS IV (April 24, 8-11)
When 8-11 aren't sending digital media companies emotionally charged messages of disgust or pandering to the Toronto Star, they host some pretty good live music shows. Definitely don't miss this edition of Dianetics' noise, dance, VHS, and drone featuring Fog Spirits and much more. Enter the DIY sauna at your own risk.

Music City Town Hall Meeting (April 25, The Garrison)
Not a concert, but if you're at all embedded in the city's music scene, you've likely been curious all this "Music City" and Austin alliance stuff. April's public Music City Town Hall Meeting will let you not only hear more, but help shape the fledgling initiative. City officials including music sector development officer Mike Tanner will be in attendance.

Blimp Rock "Sophomore Slump" Album Release Party (April 25, Dakota Tavern)
Patience is low for bands that sounds like Pavement, but Blimp Rock impressed last year with cutesy LOL (Lake Ontario Lifeguards), and their PR campaign for listenable Sophomore Slump actually made me laugh. The band are selling office supplies to fund a music fest on a blimp over Lake Ontario complete with, they tell me, "nautical food vendors." The release show will include a power point presentation.

Sufjan Stevens (April 29, Massey Hall)
After years of quirky experimentation with electronic collabs and film soundtracking, it appears that Sufjan Stevens is ready to settle back into the folky stuff with new LP Carrie and Lowell. Exciting for fans is another rarity, a sweeping North American tour where his theatrical performance style and swell of live instrumentation can be witnessed in person. SK

See also

The top 5 dance parties in Toronto April 2015
Just Shows

Contributions by Shazia Khan, Markit

Photo via shatterjapan.com