2008 in Review: Vancouver Concerts
byThanks to my new adventures as a freelance blogger, I’ve been able to experience more concerts this year than ever before as a guest contributor for E!Online.
However, when not on the clock for E!, RadioZoom, or Miss604, we still made time to catch amazing acts just cause. Here are some of my top Vancouver concert picks from 2008.
March 2008
Nada Surf
John introduced me to Nada Surf years ago and although some in the crowd only knew their song Popular or the single the opening band had on the high school pop drama Friday Night Lights, it was a great show.
April 2008
The Black Keys
One of the loudest shows I’ve seen at the Commodore, The Black Keys were amazingly heart-thumpingly awesome. These two men from Ohio rocked our sock off and provided so much base our nostrils tickled and shot glasses bounced off tables in the packed ballroom.
Also in April, No Use for a Name played the Commodore with NOFX. I had an interview with NUFAN but I was double-booked that night (I think it was the VIDFEST launch). I’d pretty much give anything to get a double bill like that back in town.
May 2008
Von Bondies
I admit, I first heard of the Von Bondies when John introduced me to Rescue Me in 2005 (their song C’mon C’mon is the opening theme) but soon-after explored the rest of their catalog. It was another great show with a band we love to enjoy, in an intimate live venue.
June 2008
Matthew Good
Our pal Matt played an amazing full-band show at the Orpheum for his hometown fans. He went on to release Live at Massey Hall in the fall of 2008.
September 2008
Hanson
You didn’t think I would miss talking about how we hung out with the boys from Hanson do you? I brought Keira along with me for a podcast and online article interview with Zach, Taylor and Isaac.
September 2008
Less Than Jake
The absolute highlight of my year as Less Than Jake was the reason I created my first website in 1997 and 11 years later, I was interviewing them and covering their show at the Commodore. John took some great photos, which are in his set on Flickr.
What made this even better (and the concert of the year in my books) was that Reel Big Fish opened up for them. I couldn’t stop smiling (or singing or dancing) the entire night.
It’s a pleasure to experience such talent – whether by using my own credentials as a respected blogger and music podcaster, or simply being happy fan in the crowd. I look forward to getting out to more local shows this coming year and can’t wait to see who will be rolling through town in 2009.
If you’re a local band and you’d like to introduce me to your tunes, get played on RadioZoom or have me cover your show, please feel free to contact me.
8 Comments — Comments Are Closed
What no review of Rush at GM Place 5/29/08. It was amazing!
i’ve been in Mika’s concert while i was living in Vancouver. it was on feb 15th and it was aweeesome! i wanted to come to Kate Nash’s and KT Tunstall’s as well, but i couldnt cuz at that time i was 18 =/
anw, i really like your blog. i’m not in vancouver anymore (i’m from brazil), so when i miss there, i come to check your blog in order to get an “update” about what is going on in vancouver 🙂
happy new year
@BugSyph1 – Actually, I have been to a Rush concert (hello air-drums!) but I did not attend the one this year in Vancouver @ GM
There were a few other gems in 2008 I personally experienced; Metric, Simian Mobile Disco and Chromeo were excellent as they made their way through our fair city.
I would have loved to have seen the Black Keys. I’ve been an admirer of theirs for a few years now. It’s one of those bands you’re just glad are around, reminding everyone that rock music has a firm base in the blues.
Cheers!
Dandy Warhols were in town too and we missed them – were supposed to do an interview. Man, no more double booking in 2009!
Haha wow Hanson still performs!? There’s hope for the Jonas brothers yet.
I think you do Hanson a disservice by only talking about how you met them. I was at that show, and am too old to have really been a fan of theirs first-time-round, but thought their performance was both engaging and very proficient. They are still cute, but I mostly was left with a warm spot in my heart for them. And I am proud of them, for surviving on their own terms.
That’s the only show you and I had in common this year, but I saw a ton of great live music and encourage people to make it a priority for 2009.
My top shows (other than Hanson): Tom Morello, Missy Higgins, John Butler Trio, Matt Mays + El Torpedo, Eagles of Death Metal…