Trying to decide which Juno shows to see? Here are some highlights

Getting your head around the JUNOfest schedule can be a little daunting. Over the span of a couple of days, more than 100 artists will be playing on local stages. With that in mind, here's a handful of highlights. 

(Disclaimer: there's plenty more great music than what I've got time for here — so you'll want to visit this link for the full picture.)

Operators @ Zaphod's on Thursday, 8 p.m., $13.50 (adv. tickets sold out, festival wristbands admitted, limited tickets at the door)

Here's a good reason to get your JUNOfest wristband. Tickets to the Operators show have been selling like hot cakes, and while there'll be a few left at the door, wristbands get guaranteed access (until Zaphod's is at capacity, of course). 

This is a popular show for a reason. Fronted by Dan Boeckner (Wolf Parade, Handsome Furs, Divine Fits), the band is decidedly danceable, but with depth. Think New Order-style basslines and a late '70s Bowie feel. 

They're playing with Charly Bliss and Potential Red for Thursday's show.

Whitehorse, Jim Cuddy, Tanya Tagaq, Barney Bentall, Devin Cuddy & more @ Saint Brigid's Centre for the Arts on Friday, 8 p.m., $20

There's nothing like a show inside a big old church for a Friday night pick-me-up. They're calling this one "Outlaws & Gunslingers," but don't ask me why. My guess is it has something to do with the slightly more rootsy feel of the music. 

It's an eclectic lineup with JUNO contenders Whitehorse sharing a bill with fellow nominees Barney Bentall, Crystal Shawanda, William Prince and Tanya Tagaq, and rounded out by NQ Arbuckle and two generations of Cuddys, to name a few. 

Dilly Dally @ House of TARG on Friday, 9 p.m., $12 (adv. tickets sold out, festival wristbands admitted, limited tickets at the door)

There are 17 JUNOfest shows happening simultaneously on Friday night alone, but it's no surprise that tickets for this one have been going fast. 

In the past couple of years Dilly Dally has taken Canada by storm with a debut album that, for all the adoring comparisons it's earned to bands like Hole and The Pixies, stands on its own, and has earned a JUNO nomination for Alternative Album of the Year. You want refreshingly honest lyrics and satisfyingly raw vocals against a backdrop of searing guitar? This is your new favourite band. 

For Friday's show, Dilly Dally joins fellow nominees The Dirty Nil (in the Breakthrough Group of the Year category) — plus, local rock 'n' roll representation in the form of Expanda Fuzz and No Fuss. Get your wristband! Final warning.

Steve Adamyk Band @ Dominion Tavern on Saturday, 9 p.m., $12

The entire JUNOfest program was put together by local show-booking powerhouse Spectrasonic, so they've been sure to make this an Ottawa-centric festival with plenty of shows headlined by local artists like Kalle Mattson, Jonathan Becker & The North Fields, New Swears, Mehdi Cayenne Club and MonkeyJunk. 

Then there's Steve Adamyk Band, who'll take to the Dom on Saturday night to play songs from their latest album, Graceland. Visiting JUNO crowd, take note: for a real slice of local nightlife, this is a quintessential Ottawa show in a classic Ottawa punk venue. 

Besides the Steve Adamyk Band, fellow locals Ornaments and Onionface are on the bill, plus Toronto's Public Animal.

Silla + Rise @ Mercury Lounge on Saturday, 9 p.m., $12

Let's end this list on a strong note with a local JUNO nominee in the category of Indigenous Music Album of the Year. 

Tanya Tagaq isn't the only experimental throat-singer out there — not by a long shot. Case in point: Silla, two Nunavut throat-singers who have teamed up with Ottawa electronic musician/DJ Rise Ashen to blend intense vocal parts with driving, evocative beats. It's going to be goosebump-inducing to hear live. 

Bryden Gwisskiwenie, Quantum Tangle and Trevor Walker fill out the lineup to make it well worth your $12 ticket.

Is your head spinning? Just take it one show at a time.