Metallica announces new tour dates, returns to Vancouver & Edmonton

By Ryan

Metallica

Metallica announced earlier this week that they will be performing in Vancouver on August 24, 2012 at Rogers Arena. They will be playing all their hits from their 30-year career on their state of the art 360-degree stage that needs to be seen to be believed. They will also be using different visual effects and stage components through out the show.

This is the first time the band has returned to Vancouver since December of 2008. The Vancouver announcement follows earlier news that Metallica will perform in Edmonton on August 17th.

Metallica’s Lars Ulrich released this statement: “Our rabid Canadian fans will love this … over the top, out of control stage that will be the cornerstone of our touring escapades for the next years to come.”

Want tickets to the show? Check out our listings for Metallica tickets and don’t miss out on a tour that’s sure to bring the house down!

Coldplay in Vancouver

By: Jon Jones

Coldplay Vancouver 2012

Saturday night in Vancouver can yield more than one entertainer and event to choose from, my last Saturday was won by the talented musicians from Coldplay.  Working in the entertainment industry I have come to realize there are two types of shows, a big budget experience show and an entertainer-focused, no-gimmick show. I usually lean towards a smaller more intimate experience show that has quality sound, seating and atmosphere with a performer that is there to entertain. But it seems to me that big budget shows with little door gifts and flashing hypnotic lights tend to bring in an immense audience.

Why is this? Are people more entertained by a big budget concert experience than they are with quality vocals and on-stage presents? Read More

Vancouver’s Mayor Gregor Robertson spins only the freshest jams.

First he brought you your RDA of vitamins and minerals as the co-founder of Happy Planet Juice. Then he brought you bike lanes as the Mayor of Vancouver. Now he’s bringing you block-rocking beats as a club DJ. Wait, what?

That’s right, Mayor Gregor Robertson temporarily traded in his tux for some turntables at the anniversary party of one of Vancouver’s favorite Saturday night parties, Glory Days at the Biltmore Cabaret.

Photo via the Straight

Well… how about that. Attendees said the Mayor actually knows his stuff, too – if the whole politics thing doesn’t work out, Gregor has a bright future ahead of him as a club DJ.

Were you there? Do you regret missing out? Let us know in the comments section below!

BC Lions face Edmonton for the first game in their new home!

CFL football has a new home in Vancouver: its old one. The fabulously revamped BC Place, traditional home of the Lions, is open for business again, and its first customers will be the Edmonton Eskimos – ready for an extra-large order of bone-crunching football, on the house.
The game, which will see the two teams face off after a 36-1 Lions victory at their last meeting, will be a chance for the Eskimos to prove themselves – and you can be sure the players are aware. The Lions, on the other hand, are eager to continue their winning streak. No matter the outcome, it’s sure to be a tense game.
Almost of equal consideration will be the experience of the brand-new stadium. Featuring more natural light, a brand-new, state-of-the-art retractable roof, vast digital screens to catch more of the action than ever before, and an incredible new sound system, the stadium is a totally new experience. The seats are even three inches wider, so don’t be to worried about hitting the concession stands.
Of course, this won’t be just another football game: the opening will be marked by a marvelous gala, featuring an incredible halftime show and internationally acclaimed recording artist Sara McLachlan to sing the national anthem.
Visit our site to keep updated on ticket information!

Pearl Jam’s new song is available for free.

After a couple of decades of sold-out arena shows, Pearl Jam have stretched the definition of the term “alternative.” It’s hard to find anyone who doesn’t know who they are, and of those people, it’s harder still to find someone who doesn’t enjoy hits like “Even Flow.”

The band is touring now, with a show at Vancouver’s Pacific Coliseum scheduled for September 25th. In the mean time, download their new track, “Ole,” here.

Summer Live: Massive Free Concert in Vancouver

To celebrate the 125th anniversary of its founding, the City of Vancouver is hosting a free, weekend-long party and music festival featuring a boatload of Vancouver musicians. Some of them have been famous for decades, others are underground artists with a cult following, but all of them are well worth checking out.

Here’s a few we’re particularly excited for.

Mother Mother is a power-pop group from Vancouver, but frontman Ryan Guldemond’s distinctive voice, as well as the slightly morbid nature of their songs, sets them apart from other indie bands. Excellent musicianship, intricate vocal harmonies, and catchy songs make them a perennial favorite.

Check out their track “Arms Tonite” for an idea of what they’re about. Like many bands, their live show is better, but this track is pretty great.

Fond of Tigers won a Juno Award in 2010, but they’ve also won the hearts and minds of listeners unafraid of getting a little weird. Consisting of founding member Stephen Lyon and a host of extremely talented supporting musicians (two drummers! TWO!), the group plays music which oscillates wildly between jazz and indie rock, between dreamy guitar noodling and furious cacophonies. While their songs are tricky to sing along with, Fond of Tigers are well worth seeing for the immense skills of their members.

Listen to “Soheb,” a track from their latest album:

The New Pornographers are accessible, fun, and have released a string of great albums showcasing songs packed full of hooks which wouldn’t be out of place in a Beach Boys or Beatles song. The band is sort of an indie-rock supergroup (the band includes A.C. Newman, Neko Case, and Dan Bejar, the founding member of Destroyer), but are world-famous on their own.

Listen to their song “Challengers”: