November and December are the perfect time for concerts. Getting all nestled up amongst strangers while dancing in dark enclosed spaces is an excellent way to stay warm. So read our concert previews so that you don’t miss the hottest upcoming happenings.

#1 Fritz Helder & The Phantoms, November 22, The Great Hall $10: Are you hatin’ concerts where people just stand and nod their heads mournfully. Nobody will be doing that at Fritz Helder & The Phantoms. More likely they’ll be in neon underwear, big nerd glasses and a pair of kickass sneakers breakdancing to “Sexy Robot”. Fritz Helder & The Phantoms are Torontonians who make music to party and perform to. They do coordinated, totally over-the-top dances, that’ll remind you of lip synchs in grade seven. This will be THE party of the month, with an equally amazing after party at The Social. Tix at the door of The Great Hall 8 pm.

#2 Deborah Harry, November 23, The Phoenix, $45: Deborah Harry is coming to town. Get tickets, they’re still available. The woman is in her sixties and I still wish I were as cool as her. Her1980s style is iconic, pretty much the model for all those hip young things in Ryerson Fashion or at White Orchid. Word is that Deborah hasn’t lost any of her edgy moves and sexy vocals. Sure, there will be less Blondie songs and more tracks from her recent solo albums, but they’re actually pretty awesome, full of theatrical vocals that range from spoken word to leaping high notes and eighties-like electronics. If you’re really aching for some oldies, the setlist in New York included Heart of Glass and Tide is High so keep your fingers crossed. Tix sold at Ticketmaster.

#3 Los Campesinos, December 5, Mod Club, $12: I’ve been loving this Cardiff based band recently. Their layers upon layers of eclectic instruments – glockenspiel included – and twee pop vocals make me want to dance joyfully like a five-year-old just going wild in a field. Plus, I like how their voices are noticeably Welsh accented. Their playful combos of instruments and boy / girl call / response structures remind me of Belle and Sebastian, but with a younger, louder, partying vibe. Tix sold at Ticketmaster, Soundscapes and Rotate This.

#4 Jason Collett, December 4, 11, 18, Dakota Tavern, $15: Jason Collett will be hosting three Basement Revues at the Dakota this December where he’ll be playing his lovely folky songs and inviting surprise guests. If my boyfriend could write and sing songs, I’d want him to sing and write just like Jason Collett. Perfect, humble, uncomplicated love songs. Being a member of Broken Social Scene, this guy is super connected with Toronto musicians so the surprises could be pretty amazing. Tix are at Soundscapes and Rotate This.

#5 Neil Young, Nov 26, 27, 29, Massey Hall, $2000: Yes, you read that right. Neil Young tickets are being sold for $2000 a pop by internet scalpers. I love Heart of Gold and Old Man as much as the next gal, but that’s effing insane. Expect many stoned sixty-year-old financial district types cruising Yonge Street making slurring comparisons between the 2007 and 1971 Massey Hall concerts. Ultra respect if they’ve been to both.