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.

Buck 65 @ Commodore Ballroom, Vancouver, June 25, 2010

I get that describing music is a skill that I do not possess.  There's generally only two types of music for me - good and bad.  I also can't tell you why I like something and why I don't like something.  One thing I'm pretty confident about though, is that Buck 65 is not a jazz artist.  What the hell he was doing playing the Commodore as part of the Jazz Festival I have no idea.  I won't complain though, because Buck 65 is an absolute treat to watch live and one should never pass up the opportunity when it presents itself.  He played 'Blood of a Young Wolf' which is one of my favourite songs of all time.  The first time I saw him was when I was in Dublin for the weekend in October 2005.  It was my first non-smoking gig, so I remember it fondly.  Buck is also a big baseball fan so I'd like to think that under different circumstances we could be friends.  Yeah yeah, just humour me.  Thanks.

Coco Rosie @ The Vogue Theatre, Vancouver, June 24 2010

I'd never really heard of Coco Rosie until about 4 days before I saw them.  I heard 'Lemonade', loved it and saw that they were playing Vancouver.  stereogum.com posted an article on them at the same time, which I read and it made me a bit nervous about the show ... freak folk, gender politics, music industry bias, blah blah ... fortunately I'd already bought the ticket because it was one of the best shows I've ever been to.  A definite highlight of this year and I'd go see them again in a second.  It's why I like live music ... every once in a while, you get to witness something special.  And on that night in Vancouver, Coco Rosie made magic and it was wonderful.

Phantogram @ Malkin Bowl, Vancouver, June 13, 2010

Phantogram opened up for Metric for 2 nights at Malkin Bowl.  I saw Metric at the Vogue in December 2007 (with Tokyo Police Club, The Dears and Sebastian Granger), I think it was about 4C inside and I was frozen.  Emily Haines was wearing a silver dress - her standard stage costume (!) - and I felt sorry for her, I can't imagine how cold she must have been even with the heat from the lights.  I liked Metric then.  Fantasies is a pretty great album and so I also saw them at the Orpheum in November 2009 but it's a big jump from one night at the Orpheum to two nights at Malkin Bowl, but I guess that's what having a song on the Twilight soundtrack will do for your concert sales.  I wasn't too impressed with Metric on the night ... no emotion ... but I liked Phantogram.  Eyelid Movies is a great album.

Delta Spirit @ Venue, Vancouver, June 12, 2010

The first song I heard from Delta Spirit was 'Children' on Woxy.  I've seen them twice ... they played the Media Club on February 12, 2009 which was one of my favourite gigs of 2009.  They didn't disappoint at Venue, they're stunning live.  Neither of their albums have been reviewed on Pitchfork, it makes me like them more.