Diamond Rings
Having opened for Robyn at numerous North American shows earlier this year, self-made-up man John O’Regan should be at ease in front of Yonge-Dundas Square’s big crowds. His flamboyant synthpop, driven by a saturnine baritone, will also be on display in Wrongbar’s more intimate confines Saturday night. Line up early and paint your face.
Yonge-Dundas Square, 7:30 pm. Also, Wrongbar, Saturday, 12:00 am

Braids
Montreal-by-way-of-Calgary and very, very young, Braids fill long songs (seven minutes, eight minutes, no one’s watching the clock) with quivering keyboard patterns, minimalist guitar and lust-enthralled lyrics. The carnal aspect of their music gives purpose to all the others, both inspiration and culmination: Turns out that languor is sexy. When Raphaelle Standell-Preston sings “Have you fucked all the stray kids yet?” her voice carries a hint of impatience.
The Garrison, 11 pm. Also, The Great Hall, Saturday, 11 pm

Dum Dum Girls
Last year’s girl-group revival quickly became a cull, with certain of the many neo-Shirelles failing to retain their audience for more than a few microseconds, or at least losing their drummer to some buzzier band. But Dum Dum Girls have thrived, making their assumed names with songcraft, live panache and unmatched style. They play a mean Smiths cover, too.
Lee’s Palace, 11 pm

Cults
Speaking of last year’s girl-group revival/cull, Cults proved another survivor (fittingly, they follow Dum Dum Girls on the same bill). There’s a lovely naivete and awkwardness to these New Yorkers’ swooning, lo-fi, bedroom-made indie pop that distances them from the likes of XX and Beach House. No one cribs from the Phil Spector songbook these days with the same charming precociousness.
Lee’s Palace, 12 am

– Chris Randle and Christopher Frey