Pop-punk purists might be pissed, but if you’re not one of those, then Set Your Goals, which plays on Friday, April 8 at MacEwan Hall, might be one of the year’s bigger draws. Named for a Civ album, this is pure new-school: Expect giant gang-vocals, shrill mosh-calls and, er, mosh parts interspersed throughout. A busy bill of August Burns Red and Born of Osiris joins. Get your camo clothing ready.

But that’s only one event — Friday is ram-packed. Ontario slacker outfit Sandman Viper Command play the Gateway. Local munch-masters Chron Goblin hit that empty space with Nix Dixons and the twang-punk of Cowpuncher. And not to be forgotten, Calgary faves Savk join Free Nude Celebs and Eric Hamelin at Weeds Café. That should keep us plenty busy.

Sled Island recently announced 50 more reasons to stay in Calgary this summer — not that we needed more reasons to support the festival. Still, swing by its fundraiser at Local 522 on Saturday, April 9 — if not only to vote with your dollars, to catch the punky, hazed-out bill of Fist City, Young Ones, No River and Double Fuzz. Or, for a head-scratching (but killer) double bill, Saskatchewan gypsy jazz troupe Flying Fox and the Hunter Gatherers perform alongside local heavy stoner combo Black Phoenix Orchestra. Go for nomadic sounds, stay to hear BPO unveil new songs from its upcoming EP, set for release in the upcoming months.

Jumping into next week, another metal mainstay swings into town when Death Angel plays at Dickens on Tuesday, April 12. Only one of five Canadian dates on its international tour, the venerable Californian thrash act will unveil tracks from 2010’s Relentless Retribution — or selections from its eight-piece discography. Alternatively — really, we mean alternatively — DJ duo Jack Beats lands at Hifi. Expect the big-time bass wobble. Wommmp-womp-womp-womp.

Finally, Thursday, April 14 has Nova Scotia MC — and general proponent of Canada — Classified landing at the Whiskey. While his recent album, Handshakes and Middle Fingers, has been getting banner reviews, if you’re really looking to fall in love, look no further than his East Coast love songs: Start with “Maritimes,” and wash that down with his guest appearance on Josh Martinez’s “Going Back to Hali.” Then get a donair.