Concert BReak: Feb 28 - Mar 6

Posted by Ami
Filed in Music
February 28, 2008

I don't know why Jon's getting flack for his last post, but I'm not afraid to say that I'm excited for this summer's big shows. However, I've got to keep myself busy while I wait for Radiohead's appearance and—fortunately—this week's shows will help me do just that.
Myspace's player was acting up so I couldn't preview a number of bands. If I can't preview a band I don't list their shows on Concert BReak, so there may be some I missed. Browse through and add shows via the comment section. Also, I'd like to know your opinion on Vancouver's music scene. Are you proud of it, or do you find yourself wishing you were in another city when it comes to live music?

Thursday, Feb 28
For details on tonight's shows, check the last Concert BReak.

Friday, Feb 29
♦ Daniel Wesley @ Commodore Ballroom (Day Two): Refer to last Concert BReak for more details.
♦ Missy Higgins @ Plaza Nightclub (Sold Out): Acoustic alternative singer that has a style similar to Sarah McLaughlin.
♦ Loose Change Trio @ Backstage Lounge: Contemporary blues is a genre title I appreciate. It breathes life into an old (but possibly the greatest) musical style. If you like The Yale's house band Brick House you'd appreciate the contemporary blues that the Loose Change Trio produce.
♦ Dreamnation @ Croatian Cultural Centre: A black and white themed night of house, electro and trance with DJs Miss Marz, Jesse Creed, Firewire, Tazix, Special K and Christian Alvarez.
♦ Johnny and the Moon @ The Astoria Hotel: I had to look up where Shawingan Lake was in BC, because that's where Johnny and the Moon are from. They can sound a bit like Bright Eyes and play folk with a youthful kick. Also playing: E.S.L., Listening Party, and Catamaran.

Saturday, Mar 1
♦ Balkan Beat Box @ Chan Centre: This 10 piece NY band is influenced by music from all over the globe, creating a sort of gypsy-dub style.
♦ Capade @ The Fairview: Vancouver's Capade plays acoustic rock infused with a bit of funk.
♦ Copilots @ Pub 340: Exclaim claims that Copilots are Vancouver's "answer to the Wooden Stars". With City Streets.
♦ The Pack A.D. @ The Railway Club: Dave wrote a piece on this blues-rock duo about a month ago. This is a tour kick-off show with The Big Band, tROUBLE, and the Hotel Lobbyists.
♦ Dawntreader @ Backstage Lounge: This alt-rock group is comprised of a bunch of local childhood friends. Make the Lion and Pneuma open.

Sunday, Mar 2
♦ Eric Hutchinson @ The Media Club: I think this acoustic pop singer from Maryland sounds like Paulo Nutini meets Matt Costa.
♦ Carrie Catherine @ Railway Club: Saskatoon's Carrie Catherine plays soul-infused songs with openers Elaine Ryan and Trouble.

Tuesday, Mar 4
♦ Shaun Verreault @ Railway Club: Apparently the Vancouver-based lead singer of Wide Mouth Mason also plays some solo acoustic stuff.

Wednesday, Mar 5
♦ Crystal Castles @ Richard's on Richards: Duo Ethan Kath and Alice Glass hail from Toronto and create experimental electronic music. Health will also be playing. This event is presented in part by the 1/2 Alive gang.
*♦ Atlas Sound @ Pat's Pub: Psychedelic 6-piece band on tour from Georgia. White Rainbow & Valet are also scheduled to play.

Thursday, Mar 6
♦ Arabesque @ :This hip-hoppin' Toronto native has Palestinian roots. He's been through hard times, which (while tragic) can be a recipe for great music.
♦ Bob Kemmis @ Biltmore Cabaret: Kemmis has played his singer-songwriter rock at Abbey Road Studios.
♦ The Burnettes @ Oasis Cocktail Lounge: Another Vancouver local act for the week! This alt-rock group revolves around Cora and Chris Burnette. Radiogram will aslo be playing.

Photo courtesy of Lili Vieira de Carvalho.

*[Edit] - Added dates.

Reader Reviews and Comments

Submit a Review or Comment

Thanks for the kind words Ami...

Some good music this week -- I'd highly recommend the Johnny & the Moon show tomorrow... both they and the Listening Party are indie poprock gold.

And don't forget Atlas Sound with White Rainbow & Valet on Wednesday -- probably where I'll be.

As for Vancouver's indie scene -- yeah, this ain't Toronto or Montreal... there's definitely some kind of passion lacking from both the artists and the fans. I think there's a lot of reasons, the demographics of the downtown core and the city in general being a big one...

But, like I said -- I seem to be able to, as a primarily mainstream indie-music fan, see most of my favorite bands (and find myself broke in the process). I find myself musically sated, but the local scene itself is undeniably lacking... I guess ultimately something needs to draw the throngs away from sold-out Hot Chip shows and out to see our local talent. But how talented are our locals? What I've seen hasn't moved me (but I haven't been moved to see much) -- and it's here that I think people start comparing Vancouver so negatively to Toronto/Montreal. Are we all underexposed, or does the music just suck? What's the solution?

Sorry for rambling... but I'd like to hear some other perspectives, particularly from some of our local musicians... (*nudge* Sean)...

Posted by: Jon at February 28, 2008 1:24 PM | Quote Comment

when it comes to gigs (concerts at gm place? gigs at richard's?) i wish i still lived in london (uk) but considering how small vancouver is, i think it's a great live scene

my only real frustration is when a band plays toronto/montreal and seattle on their tour and skips vancouver - would be nice if the u.s/canada border made it easier and not harder for bands

oh, british sea power at the plaza mar 5 ... should be good

Posted by: giselle at February 28, 2008 1:43 PM | Quote Comment

My pleasure Jon. It was another good post in my opinion (I've commented on several of your previous ones but each of my comments somehow doesn't make it through filters).
I'm guessing we have the 3rd most active music scene nationally. If so, your statement saying that "Vancouver is one of the best Canadian cities" for music is true.

As for homegrown music--we have our share. With a city as naturally, economically and culturally diverse as ours inspiration is not hard to come by. It's mostly the apathy of the fans that is responsible for Vancouver's lack of household-name musicians. Still, I'm not disappointed with the list of established/up-and-coming musicians we do have to boast about: New Pornographers/Destroyer, Jeremy Fisher, You Say Party! We Say Die!, Bella, Dan Mangan, Pride Tiger, 16mm, and The Sessions to name a few (in the indie-rock genre). There are local musicians working hard in other genres, too.

It seems Vancouver really starts to recognize their musicians once they've proven themselves nationally (or internationally). However, a lot of acts die before making it out of the city because not enough of us are listening. It's not that the throngs need to be drawn away from Hot Chip or Vampire Weekend shows, because then we'd just end up with a lot less international acts touring through (and no one, especially those who share Giselle's frustration, would like that).
Vancouverites should realize that there are local musicians that play what they want to hear. Go to shows, cruise the internet(ie. Concert BReak :D )...find them!

Posted by: Ami

at February 28, 2008 2:40 PM | Quote Comment

"mainstream indie" - oxymoron?

Fugitives are at Lime Friday and Saturday night.

Posted by: Chris at February 28, 2008 3:53 PM | Quote Comment

Black Mountain
Ladyhawk
Bison
Jaws
White Lung
Twin Crystals
Modern Creatures
Mutators
Basketball
Winning
Owl Drugs
Victoria, Victoria
Fanshaw
P:ano
Choir Practice
Secret Mommy Quintet
Baby Control
Japandroids
Sports
No Gold
They Shoot Horses, Don't They?
The Doers
Ghosthouse
Plus Perfects
Safety Show
Culte du Cargo
Mohawk Lodge
International Falls
Lightning Dust
Ice Palace
Good News
Petroleum ByProducts
Bend Sinister
Fake Shark Real Zombie
Canned Hamm
The Clips
Frog Eyes