Blonde Redhead @ Commodore Ballroom, Vancouver, November 21, 2010

I see lots of bands and most of them, I see intentionally.  There are some bands that I get to see that I'm a big fan of (ie The National, Frightened Rabbit) so the live show is just a way to cement my love for a band.  For other bands that I see, I go with an open mind ... I may not be a big fan but I like enough of their music to give them a chance.  The live show is a make or break for me ... I either become a bigger fan or the show ends and I rarely listen to the band again.  I'm not sure what it was about Blonde Redhead but their live show didn't grab me.  It had its moments, especially when they played '23' but generally the show was pretty average.

Olof Arnalds @ Commodore Ballroom, Vancouver, November 21, 2010

I actually don't know much about Olof Arnalds but she's quite a lovely singer and although she's probably more suited to playing in smaller, quieter venues (show some respect people) her set at the Commodore was enjoyable.

Wu LYF @ Electric Owl, Vancouver, November 18, 2011

 

Yes, yes, he does have a gravelly voice.  It annoyed me a bit at first too but ... then it didn't.  And once you stop thinking that maybe he should take a sip of water or spit some rocks out, the music takes over.  And it really does.  It is wonderful.  And live ... are there really only 4 of them?  I was expecting more, but it didn't matter.  It was crazy and chaotic and oh, that drumming.  An amazing show and one of my favourite albums of the year.

Dean Wareham Plays Galaxie 500 @ Biltmore Cabaret, Vancouver, November 15, 2010

I first heard 'Tiger Lily' by Luna on CFNY about a month before I left for a backpacking trip around Europe.  I've been a fan of Dean Wareham ever since.  Luna are still my favourite band and it was through Luna that I discovered his previous band Galaxie 500.  Luna sadly broke up in 2005 and I'm still kicking myself for not going to their farewell shows in New York (I did see them in Bilbao and London on their final 'European' tour).  Fortunately Dean Wareham is still playing music (if not writing songs).  I've seen Dean & Britta twice in Vancouver and was thrilled that he made a stop in Vancouver for his shows playing Galaxie 500 songs.  I love him and the show, even if it was a late one on a Monday night, was a dream.

Ra Ra Riot @ Commodore Ballroom, Vancouver, November 13, 2010

I first saw Ra Ra Riot when they opened up for Editors at Richard's in September 2007.  Doing a bit of research online on them led me to Woxy, for which I will always be eternally grateful.  I still really love their EP and the 6 songs on it are still my favourites of theirs.  Their subsequent albums haven't grabbed me in the same way but they're still a great live act.  They blew me away the first time I saw them and I'm still happy to see them play whenever I get the chance.

Keep Shelly In Athens @ Waldorf Hotel, Vancouver, November 12, 2011

The doors didn't open until 10 and they didn't come on until about 1am (!?!) but fortunately this meant I was able to catch the Jezabels and then scoot across town to catch my favourite (ok, of 1) band from Greece.  I was tired but it was worth it.  They sounded great and seemed genuinely pleased to be playing a show in Vancouver.  This isn't music to pump you up, it's music to be savoured and appreciated.  It's music to wash away your worries and take you away to somewhere ... anywhere else and that's all you can really ask for.

The Jezabels @ Commodore Ballroom, Vancouver, November 12, 2011

Every once in a while I discover a band that I instantly fall in love with and it makes me wish I'd discovered them sooner.  It still hurts that they played SXSW and I didn't know about them but fortunately their Vancouver date was announced not long after I first heard their music.  They didn't play 'Disco Biscuit Love' which was one of my favourite songs of the year and their set was shorter since they were the opener but they impressed me ... alot.  They are absolutely fantastic and I think 2012 will be a big year for them.  I just hope I get to see them a few more times ... soon.

Class Actress @ Media Club, Vancouver, November 10, 2010

I went because 'Let Me Take You Out' is a really great song.  The set was good but I wasn't overwhelmed.  Sometimes there's no magic and you just get 30 minutes or so of good music and fortunately Class Actress were the support so it wasn't a really late night.  Would have been nice, however, if the Media Club had turned on some more lights.

Elliott Brood @ Commodore Ballroom, Vancouver, November 9, 2011

I'll be quite honest, I'm not really a fan of alt-country (or country for that matter) but a good band is a good band.  Yes, most of the music I consume is digital but live music is where it counts.  It's where I fall in love (or out of love) with bands.  Elliott Brood made me a lifelong fan when they handed out pots and pans and other assorted noisemakers during 'Write It All Down For You' at Richard's on Richards's a few years ago.  I'll never forget it and given the opportunity, I will see them whenever I can.  On this night at the Commodore Ballroom they did not disappoint.  The band were thrilled to be playing the venue and it showed, they couldn't stop smiling.  The capacity crowd were having a great time as well and I don't think I've felt the dance floor bounce as much as it did on the night.  Such a fun evening.

Little Scream @ Electric Owl, Vancouver, November 8, 2011

It always amazes how you can listen to a song over and over and then hear it live and still be blown away by it ... I suppose its why I love live music.  There's always an unknown which can sometimes transport you to another level.  That one where its just you and the music and nothing else matters.  On this night, The Heron and The Fox did that to me and it was the highlight of a very wonderful evening of music.

The Barr Brothers @ Electric Owl, Vancouver, November 8, 2011

I saw them in March 2010 opening up for the Low Anthem at St James Hall.  Timber Timbre also supported but I came away mostly impressed by the Barr Brothers.  Interestingly both other bands on the bill have done quite well for themselves so after seeing The Barr Brothers, I really hope they're on an upward trajectory as well.  They were very impressive and the highlight was probably a tete a tete between the guitarist and the harpist (really).