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June 29
Wintersleep
The Halifax-via-Montreal quintet does not, so far, have a hometown show booked this summer but it'd be a good bet to take a jaunt over the bridge and catch them in Charlie Town as part of the two-day Summerfest (other performers include Hey Rosetta and Mardeen). The band's brand-new fifth album Hello Hum is a career high---see how they replicate it live. —Tara Thorne. Confederation Landing Park, PEI, $20, charlottetownsummerfest.com

June 29-July 1
Stan Rogers Folk Festival
Your yearly reason to visit Canso has returned, with some old stalwarts of the festival in tow (Bruce Guthro, Jason Collett), some Canadian icons (Jim Cuddy, Michelle Wright) and, hey, Juice Newton! That's right, she of "Angel in the Morning" and "Queen of Hearts" fame. Lounging by the ocean listening to great folk music sounds like a pretty decent long weekend strategy to me. Canso, $114 for weekend pass (single day tix available), stanfest.com

July 1
Molson Canadian Canada Day Concert featuring Mother Mother
My mother taught me that you don't argue with free and, thankfully, Halifax is offering little to argue with in its yearly Canada Day festivities. Vancouver's Mother Mother, returning to the city after a few sold-out shows in town last year, headlines this year's all-ages bash at Alderney Landing. Also on the bill: Tim Chaisson & Morning Fold, The Town Heroes, Soho Ghetto and FIREWORKS (the celebratory explosions, not the Detroit punk band). Alderney Landing, 2 Ochterloney Street, Dartmouth, free ($5 for beer garden access)

July 5
Spread the Metal Festival
Halifax's Spread the Metal records has put together a whole slew of terrifying-sounding bands for a great cause: all net proceeds of the label's two-day festival are going to the Heart and Stroke Foundation (a smart investment for death metalers accustomed to extra doses of shock and awe). The all-ages shows are headlined by Montreal's Kataklysm and Tampa-based Morbid Angel. Halifax Forum, 2901 Windsor Street, $70 for the weekend ($50 per day), spreadthemetal.com

July 6-14
Halifax Jazz Festival
One of the more welcome Halifax concert developments the past few years has been the jazz fest's inclusion of hip-hop in its lineup, and this year is no exception. Organizers are not overstating things when referring to July 12's Deltron 3030 show (with opener Maestro Fresh Wes) as "your 2012 hip-hop gift, Halifax." Other highlights: the vocal prowess of My Brightest Diamond on July 8, sweat-shaking soul revivalist Charles Bradley and his Extraordinares on July 13 and the daily free shows at noon, which are always a great way to spend a downtown lunch hour. various venues, $225 for an all-events pass (individual tickets available), halifaxjazzfestival.ca

July 9-10
John Mellencamp
It's pretty easy to dismiss the former Mr. Cougar as a poor man's Springsteen (and hey look, he even charges less than the Boss!) but I'd be willing to bet that a few of you turn the dial up when "Jack & Diane" or "Crumblin' Down" comes on the oldies station. I'd also bet that his more recent roots-influenced work plays well alongside the hits, and that Cowboy Junkies opening makes this a pretty smart ticket. Dartmouth Sportsplex, 110 Wyse Road, $60-$100, ticketpro.ca

July 12
Cheap Trick
Though the band is spending most of the summer opening for Aerosmith, Cheap Trick is graciously making a slight detour in early July to bring its never-ending tour to Casino Nova Scotia. It's been three years since the band's last album, but its 35-year back catalogue of hits---"Surrender!" "The Flame!"---is unimpeachable. Plus, it's simply a bad idea to argue with anyone wielding a five-necked guitar. Casino Nova Scotia's Schooner Room, 1983 Upper Water Street, $65, casinonovascotia.com

July 13
Marianas Trench & Carly Rae Jepsen
Don't front, Halifax: If you're not already on the "Call Me Maybe" bandwagon, you're probably just a few more listens away from tearing down that wall of denial. Pairing her with Vancouver rockers Marianas Trench is a bit of a masterstroke, given that Trench's Josh Ramsay co-wrote "Maybe," and the band's deliciously catchy pop-punk is almost as worthy an entry in your "guilty pleasure" directory (or at least, in mine). Drop your shame face and just go already. Alderney Landing, 2 Ochterloney Street, Dartmouth, $47, ticketpro.ca

July 18
Tyga
For someone fairly new to the rap game, Tyga has sure made the most of his first impressions. He's been particularly adept at turning his mixtape material into chart fodder: "Deuces," his collaboration with Chris Brown, topped Billboard's R&B/Hip-Hop chart, and recent hit "Rack City" made it all the way to number seven on the Top 100. The Young Money star's Halifax show, his only Atlantic Canadian appearance, is all-ages. Cunard Centre, 961 Marginal Road, $40, ticketatlantic.com

July 20-22
Evolve
Is it possible for party maestros Dan Deacon and Rich Aucoin to exist in the same space at the same time? Can the universe handle that much concentrated party action? Perhaps it's no coincidence that Evolve is going with a Mayan theme in its marketing this year: the world may indeed implode. Throw in Deerhoof, Hey Rosetta, Holy Fuck, Shout Out Out Out Out and more, and it sounds like a pretty good high note for the world to go out on. Antigonish, $155 for the weekend, evolvefestival.com

July 21
Georges Island concert featuring Hey Rosetta!
Good news for those of us who like music shows but have no interest in big boats: a concert by Newfoundland's Hey Rosetta!, right in the middle of Halifax Harbour on Georges Island, as part of the Tall Ships festivities. Tickets include a transportation fee to get you there and back; first one to sing "I'm on a Boat" loses. Georges Island, $50 (includes boat back), my-waterfront.ca

July 27
Cyndi Lauper
Lauper is one of those veteran performers who doesn't make the charts anymore, but whose scope of work continues to surprise and impress: playing with Arcade Fire, raising funds for her True Colours Fund for LGBTQ awareness with Lou Reed and Cassandra Wilson and recording the best original holiday song in recent memory with The Hives. You probably won't hear "A Christmas Duel" at her Halifax show, but expect all your other favourites. Casino Nova Scotia's Schooner Room, 1983 Upper Water Street, $95, casinonovascotia.com

July 27-29
Harmony Bazaar Festival of Women & Song
This humble seaside fest grows exponentially each year. This round sees Ria Mae, Mo Kenney, Irish Mythen and Erin Costelo in a lineup headed by Sarah freaking Harmer. --TT Lockeport, $50 before July 1, $70 after, harmonybazaarfestival.blogspot.ca

July 31
Slash featuring Myles Kennedy and the Conspirators
The iconic, top-hatted Guns N' Roses guitarist is the name on the top of the poster, but his bandmates are no slouches: vocalist Myles Kennedy was the frontman for the Creed-minus-Scott-Stapp Alter Bridge, and CanCon kids will remember bassist Todd Kerns as the lead singer of The Age of Electric. Cunard Centre, 961 Marginal Road, $50, ticketatlantic.com

August 3-5
New Glasgow Riverfront Jubilee
If you like boys with guitars this is the event for you: Joel Plaskett, Big Wreck, The Stanfields, Matt Anderson and Slowcoaster headline, plus Classified stars at the festival's first hip-hop show. --TT New Glasgow, $90 weekend (individual tix available), ticketpro.ca, jubilee.ns.ca

August 4
Valleyfest
Headlined by local superstar and one of the nicest men in show business George Canyon, what wouldn't be better than a night of music in the Valley? Also featuring Matt Minglewood, John Gracie and more. —TT Hants County Exhibition Grounds, Windsor, $60-$70, valleyfest2012.com

August 9-12
Lunenberg Folk Harbour Festival
Lunenburg's many churches and wharfs provide the scenic backdrops for a weekend full of Kim Stockwood, Ashley MacIsaac, Dave Gunning, Catherine MacLellan and Ron Hynes. Mary Jane Lamond is also kicking around, so "Sleepy Maggie" is totally possible. —TT Lunenburg, passes $64-$175 (individual tickets available), folkharbour.com

August 10-12
Dutch Mason Blues Festival
This three-day festival of licks features John Oates, The Sheepdogs, Georgia Satellites, James Cotton and many more. Prepare for a guitar string shortage in Truro and Moncton. Truro Raceway, $45-$264, ticketatlantic.com

August 19
Keith Urban
Four years ago, Keith Urban played the Halifax Common, and even though concerts on that site are totally non-controversial and 100 percent scandal-free, he's switching it up and playing the Metro Centre this time around. Expect a full suite of modern country hits to get the crowd on its feet regardless of whether they're wearing their beach sandals or cowboy boots. Halifax Metro Centre, 1800 Argyle Street, $79-$99, ticketatlantic.com

August 23
Hanson
Know how to make a '90s kid feel old? Share with them that the brothers Hanson, between the three of them, have eight kids now, with a ninth on the way later this year. Clearly, there's been a lot of MMMBop-ing in the 15 years since Middle of Nowhere, but while most of us weren't paying attention, the brothers turned into a rather solid pop band. Expect the nostalgia stuff and some new material that fits in too. Casino Nova Scotia's Schooner Room, 1983 Upper Water Street, $35, casinonovascotia.com

August 26
Bruce Springsteen
A little on the pricey side? Sure. Would it be better if you didn't have to figure out how to get to and from that dastardly Magnetic Hill? Absolutely. But none of that matters because it's Bruce F'n Springsteen, for the first time in the Maritimes. I've already seen three shows on the Wrecking Ball tour (two more to go) and let me assuage any doubts you may have: three-plus hours of hits, deep cuts and FEELINGS, delivered by the greatest ensemble in rock and roll, is worth any number of minor inconveniences. Magnetic Hill, Moncton, $119, ticketatlantic.com

August 28
Nova Scotia Youth Orchestra w/Richard Simoneau
This ensemble led by Dinuk Wijeratne boasts dozens of musicians from all over the province. The NSYO has over 1,000 alumni, the majority of whom go on to careers in the industry, so head to Lunenburg for a day by the sea and a show by tomorrow's stars (today!). —TT St. John's Anglican Church, 81 Cumberland Street, Lunenburg, 7pm, novascotiayouthorchestra.com