The Walkmen @ Malkin Bowl, Vancouver, September 9 & 10, 2010

I caught one song by The Walkmen at Monolith in September 2009 when they were finishing up their set and I was walking between stages.  They're a band on my radar and I've heard a few songs of theirs when they were played on Woxy.  The Malkin Bowl shows opening up for The National were the first time I'd spent any real time with them though.  They were better the second night or maybe my expectations were lower.  I'm not sure what it is ... I don't really dislike them per se but they just don't excite me.  They do have a few good songs so there were a few points in their set where I thought I could become a fan but I'm not convinced I'm missing out.

Rae Spoon @ Biltmore Cabaret, Vancouver, August 31, 2010

I'd heard of Rae Spoon when his last album 'superioryouareinferior' came out.  It's quite lovely but quiet and folky.  His new album 'Love is a Hunter' is more electronic and the change suits him.  On stage it's him, his laptop and his guitar.  I liked him straight away.  He's funny, charming and oh yeah, really talented.  Definitely worth the trek up to East Van on a Tuesday night.

Lower Dens @ Media Club, Vancouver, August 27, 2010

That the Media Club is not big (about 150 people) and is about a 10 minute walk from my house make it one of my favourite venues in Vancouver.   I've seen some great bands play there in the past few years (Frightened Rabbit, Delta Spirit, Fanfarlo and The Joy Formidable).  Of my favourite shows there, I'd definitely add Lower Dens.  I think there were about 10 people when I arrived and and the crowd was only 50 or 60 people by the time Lower Dens came on stage (maybe everyone who would have gone were watching Vampire Weekend at Malkin Bowl).  It's a shame because they were fantastic.  I hadn't spent much time with 'Twin Hand Movement' before the show but hearing the songs brought to life made me realise how great it is.  On the surface, the band is pretty simple - two guitars, bass and drums.  No keyboards.  No violins.  Nothing too fancy.  But wow, what wonderful music they make together.  Sometimes there's a beauty in simplicity and when 4 great musicians are all playing together, it's a privilege to be able to witness it.

The Joy Formidable @ Media Club, Vancouver, August 15, 2010

Yet another Woxy find.  Their EP 'A Balloon Called Moaning' was one of my favourite albums of 2009.  I scheduled a work trip to Toronto in May around seeing Frightened Rabbit and when The Joy Formidable announced a show on the same day, it was not an easy decision to stick with the Frightened Rabbit show (they were awesome though).  So when the Media Club show was announced as part of a short Western set of dates for the band, I started counting down the days.  And damn, they were really, really good.  I spoke with Ritzy, the lead singer, before the show and she was lovely.  I'm pretty sure they'll play Vancouver again but it'll be at one of the bigger venues in town.  This is definitely a band on the rise and they absolutely deserve it.

Wolf Parade @ The Vogue Theatre, Vancouver, July 25, 2010

I saw Wolf Parade at the Commodore in August 2006, at Richard's on Richard's in August 2007, and at the Commodore in July 2008.  They didn't tour in 2009 but I did see Handsome Furs and Sunset Rubdown that summer.  So basically every summer since I moved to Vancouver, I've seen either Wolf Parade or their side projects and I really hope this is a ritual that continues.  They're terrific live and they're one of my favourite bands.  Do I kick myself everytime I see them that I ate the ticket I had to see them at the Scala in London in 2005?  Yes, yes I do.

Thao With The Get Down Stay Down @ Biltmore Cabaret, Vancouver, July 19, 2010

The first time I saw Thao was at Monolith Festival at Red Rocks Ampitheatre in Colorado in September 2009.  They played the main stage and I caught their set because I wanted to get a good spot for Frightened Rabbit (front row!).  They were clearly not intimated playing in such a big venue or early on in the day of a festival - they were fantastic.  I came away a big fan and their show at the Biltmore lived up to expectations.  I'm not sure why they're not more popular but if there's any justice in the music industry (and really, I'm not sure that there is) they will be soon.

Forest City Lovers @ Media Club, Vancouver, July 13, 2010

Another band that I discovered a few days before they played a local show ... I love when that happens.  They're a young band out of Ontario, 'Light You Up' was the song that convinced me to get a ticket but their first album 'Carriage' is solid and they're fun live.  Oh, and they have a violinist.  Definitely worth a bit of missed sleep on a school night.