Bad Veins @ The Vogue Theatre, Vancouver, October 8, 2010

Out of Cincinnati, Bad Veins were local to Woxy and the DJs were (rightly so) big fans.  I caught their set at Monolith in September 2009 and really liked them but hadn't heard much either from or about them since the plug was pulled on Woxy, so it was a nice surprise when they were added as support for Frightened Rabbit and they played their first Vancouver show.  Would be great to see them get a bit of attention on their next album cause they're definitely a band that deserves it.

Suuns @ Biltmore Cabaret, Vancouver, October 3, 2010

Suuns gave away their EP, Zeroes, for free.  Having heard a song, I jumped at the opportunity and was very impressed.  It's quite different to what I usually listen to but good music is good music, yes?  I was pretty excited to be able to catch them live when they came through town.  Aside from not playing two of my favourite songs (wtf?) they were terrific live.  The music was loud and intense and they sounded great.  I'll definitely catch them next time I can.

School of Seven Bells @ Biltmore Cabaret, Vancouver, September 28, 2010

The last time School of Seven Bells played Vancouver I was out of town so when they announced the Biltmore show I was pretty excited to get a chance to see them.  And then another band announced a show on the same date and I was very tempted to bail on School of Seven Bells, but fortunately I didn't get floor tickets to see Arcade Fire and got to experience School of Seven Bells instead.  I didn't regret it.  They're very good live.  My only complaint is that they didn't play my favourite song - 'iamundernodisguise' - but it is what it is and I'd be more than happy to see them again.

Tegan and Sara @ Malkin Bowl, Vancouver, September 24, 2010

Tegan and Sara played the 100 Club in London in 2005 and ... I didn't go.  Some friends recommended them but I didn't fancy going to see an unknown band.  So when I finally saw them opening up for Broken Social Scene at the Orpheum in February 2008, I pretty much spent most of their set kicking myself for skipping that club show.  They're terrific live and their onstage banter is generally hilarious.  An outdoor show at the end of September in Vancouver is optimistic and it rained most of the day but the rain held off for the most part and I came home pretty happy to be able to spend an evening with them.

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

I've loved The National from the first moment I heard them.  They are a band who makes my life better.  I've seen them live 6 times now and despite high expectations, I'm always blown away by how good they are.  The Malkin Bowl shows were the first time I'd seen a band back to back at the same venue.  The Friday show was announced and so I got a ticket and when the Thursday show was announced, I wondered if I was being greedy or wasting my money.  I wasn't and after seeing them Thursday and Friday, I would have bought a ticket to the Saturday show if they'd been playing.  The band was funny and charming and seemed genuinely grateful to be playing a pretty big venue (i'd guess about 2000).  They played almost all of my favourite songs and the rain held off and basically, both shows were pretty much perfect.

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.