A weekly feature that highlights the 10 best music happenings in Toronto. Here's what's on this week, May 16 to 22:
Royal Wood The broken-hearted balladeer launches his latest disc, The Burning Bright, a musical document of his breakup with the songstress Sarah Slean. May 17, 8 p.m. $36 to $46. Winter Garden Theatre, 189 Yonge St., 1-855-985-5000 or ticketmaster.ca
Avicii The star Swedish DJ and producer Tim Bergling lords over the biggest dance floor in town. May 17, 7:30 p.m. $62.65 to $102.65. Rogers Centre, 1 Blue Jays Way, 1-855-985-5000 or ticketmaster.ca
World Fiddle Day If it ain't got those strings, it don't mean a thing. May 17, 2 p.m. to 5 p.m. Free. Ontario Square, 235 Queens Quay W., harbourfrontcentre.com
Elbow (with John Grant) English alt-rock romantics and sing-along specialists celebrate their superb new The Take Off and Landing of Everything album. May 17, 8 p.m. $51.75 to $62. Danforth Music Hall, 147 Danforth Ave., 1-855-985-5000 or ticketmaster.ca
Chet Faker Shaggy electro-soul Australian soothes a small room. May 19, 7 p.m. $14. The Hoxton, 69 Bathurst St., ticketweb.ca
Danny Michel Juno-nominated singer-songwriter and lover of Belize music holds down a weekly residency this month. May 19 and 26, 7 p.m. $20. Dakota Tavern, 249 Ossington Ave., 416-850-4579 or ticketfly.com
Joe Nolan Emotive, shoeless troubadour from Alberta sings from his feet on up. May 19, 6 to 8 p.m. PWYC. Cameron House, 408 Queen St. W.,416-703-0811
21C Music Festival The Royal Conservatory's new festival of new music takes over Koerner Hall for eight concerts, including a master class from the inimitable Chilly Gonzales (May 24). May 21 to 25. $20 to $55 (passes available). Koerner Hall, 273 Bloor St. W., 416-408-0208 or rcmusic.ca
Stepping Stone National music competition pits 28 young, serious talents against each other. May 21 to 29. $10 to $25. Various venues, 416-408-0208 or performance.rcmusic.ca
Last Gang Records 10th Anniversary Party The stellar local indie label celebrates a decade in the business with performances and DJ sets by roster acts. May 22, 10 p.m., $25. The Guvernment, 132 Queens Quay W., 1-855-985-5000 or ticketmaster.ca
Booking ahead
Jessy Lanza May 23. The Garrison, ticketfly.com
Chad VanGaalen May 24. Lee's Palace, ticketfly.com
Bidiniband May 29. Dakota Tavern, 416-850-4579
Matthew Barber June 3. Dakota Tavern, 416-850-4579 or ticketfly.com
Sharon Jones and the Dap Kings June 6. Massey Hall, 416-872-4255 or masseyhall.com
Elvis Costello June 14. Massey Hall, 416-872-4255 or masseyhall.com
Brad Paisley and Friends July 2 (rescheduled from May 18). Molson Amphitheatre, 1-855-985-5000 or ticketmaster.ca
The War on Drugs Sept 15. The Phoenix, ticketfly.com
The Black Keys Sept. 16 (on sale May 23, 11 a.m.). Air Canada Centre, 1-855-985-5000 or ticketmaster.ca
Boz Scaggs Sept. 27. Massey Hall, 416-872-4255 or masseyhall.com