I didn't get into Lord Huron right away simply 'cause whenever I read the band's name in trade…read morepapers they seemed like an EDM band. I heard a few songs here and there on Much Music and CFOX. I did miss them at this year's Coachella. I was unable to watch their set due to a performance conflict on another stage. I don't regret missing the performance, however, I did take home an appreciation. For a band that just came back from Coachella, played Vancouver (and some other small dates) only to return back to Coachella for weekend 2 this weekend, they were energetic and gave it 100%. It was refreshing to see a new band that were concerned about entertaining compared to some of the new toegazer bands. Their music is folk alternative. A lot of the songs remind me of Vampire Weekend mixed with Two Door Cinema Club. One can also argue that there's a Mumford and Sons feel...just more livelier on the performance delivery. Ben was very addicting to watch live. His vocals have a bit of a twang that works with the music. The sound was great which often can be very hit and miss at The Vogue. The entire new album comes packed with a soundtrack mode. It feels as though you're in an hour long Vince Gilligan TV episode. The music is very well crafted. What got me initially hooked and sunk was the structure of the lyrics that were both loose and autobiographical. Each song has a distinctive mood. It's easy to tell one song from another, all of which are catchy and linger minutes on end after the last note drops. My favorite song is Meet Me In The Woods which has a Springsteen feel to it. I listened to this album 4 times in a row from beginning to end. The songs sounded better live than on the album which has only occurred a small handful of times in my concerting hobby/career. It also helped that the emotions conveyed on the record were emulated honestly in the live performance instead of most bands who just punch in the time clock. They came with their own production in the form of textured fabrics that gave a sophisticated element when the lights bounced off it. They had a huge illuminated sign with the name of their latest album, Strange Trails, changed color in synch with the stage lights. Simple yet effective. The set list was a cross between their last two albums, a full healthy 90 minutes that went by way too fast for me. I was pig in shit when I heard my favorite song, Meet Me In The Woods which has a Springsteen feel to it. During the entire show my body and soul was going through all sorts of moods. I mentally escaped for the better during a lot of the intention moments. The audience was extremely diverse. Most were very into the band. I actually brought a souvenir which rarely happens. The band have marketed themselves well. I bought a Strange Tails comic book and a pack of trail mix nuts in the Strange Trails packaging. Well deserved shout out to my buddy Scott for talking me into coming to the show tonight.

I was really into the band's performance at Coachella a few weekends ago, therefore, there was…read moreenough motivation to take the 3 hour round trip bus ride all the way down to UBC to see their 25 minute opening set. They were one of the few bands worth watching at Coachella during the day. Even in the blazing dessert heat their performance was killer. They made it work with what they had, therefore, It didn't surprise me that they killed the Vancouver show even though they had to deal with the shitty acoustics of the UBC sports Arena. What initially intrigued me about the North London band was that for a collection of childhood friends playing together for less than a decade they're miles ahead of most indie bands in terms of sound and stage presence. Their album was one of my top 10 in 2015. I've waited a year for their only western Canadian appearance since the best debut album of last year. They did in 25 minutes what must bands struggle to do in a full set. They gave more energy than what was required of them in effort to convert the crowd that was given to them as a favour by the headlining act. Ellie's stage presence was addicting to watch. The rest of the band were tight and had musical chemistry. The songs resembled something written out of the page from the 90's with a bit of flare. It was organic, not flashy but there was enough of a pop element to make the songs memorable.

L7 aren't the best live band but to attend was more about a riot girl badge of honour more than…read moreanything. A homage to my youth when Shitlist was my 13 year old anthem. They played in a shithole of a club in the most unsafe hood in the city. I've seen shows in worst circumstances. The atmosphere was fitting for the band in a venue in which both parties didn't care about the sound. I rode the bus late at night clutching my copy of Bricks Are Heavy. I knew that I wasn't going to get it signed nor did I try that hard but it was more of a comfort thing. I just recently acquired it on Vinyl (original pressing) after 16 years of looking. Having a record in my care was also my voice of reason to not get into the mosh pit with a $150 record. My body has been taking a bit of a hit lately that the restraint was for my own good. The people in attendance were exactly how you would picture them to be, aged grunge girls with partially faded dye jobs with 4" of roots grown in without apology. We all looked like characters out of the Decline of Western Civilization. There was a fair share of guys who looked as though they never left the 90's. Every punk rocker in the city was there. I should know cause I was stabbed by their spiked clothing throughout the evening. The girls strolled on stage with a trail of furry. Their stage energy was very inspiring. The chemistry was as in synch as their periods. They were very into their own performance. They were very magnetic to watch. Their music is technically sub par, however, aside from Bikini Kill they're one of the riot girl bands whose individual personality breaks through the thin layer of the music. The stage banter was very vaudeville. Lots of old lady jokes. Contrary to what they remember their last visit to Vancouver wasn't 1989 but rather 1997 when they opened for Marilyn Manson. Sadly I missed their set cause my parents were convinced that Manson was the devil. I actually snuck out to the show to catch Manson but missed L7 in the making. The set list was a greatest hits 75 minutes. Appropriately fitting for this reunion that took longer than it should've been. When I was younger I used to be scared of Donnita Sparks. Her muscle shadow against the horrible Rickshaw lighting was the only thing that flattered Donnita visually, however, she still looked scary. The kind of girl I don't want to get in a bar fight with. Seeing my childhood idols Donnita Sparks and Jennifer Finch on stage together was a dream come true. Donnita has changed her style. She sported the whole Suzie Quatro look while Jennifer looked like an older version of herself but none the wiser.

This is now my 13th time seeing Metric and although the setting was less than favorable for them…read morethere were still some moments worth noting. They've done the arena thing before with Paramore, however, their efforts only gained them a small portion of fans. They did try and play Rogers a few years ago. They had some cool lighting but nothing beyond theatre worthy. I kinda wish they'd drop the arena dream that isn't happening for them (all members will cross 40 when this tour is done) and play double nights in theaters with varied setlists that actually has songs from their first 3 albums that have barely been played in the past decade or so. Only a tiny number of groups have a 7 album run (counting Knives) as strong as Metric and she's probably the best frontman in about 15 years and it feels wasted in their third time they've done a 45 minute arena opening set across The States (Dragons/Muse/Paramore). The short 40 minute set list had some hits but the majority of the show was a decent portion of new material. I was a little skeptical at first hearing the new material since the live clips that leaked did little or nothing for me even though the studio versions were cool. Translated live in person I learned to appreciate they new material. Of course the band were still trying to experiment with mixes. It was easy for me to observe in these early stages as to how the new songs will positively hold against their other material when they headline their own tour. Some of the hits had weird mixes which may have had to do with their equipment being programed for their new material. In the case of Help I'm Alive it actually added a semi industrial feel whether intentional or not. Emily was sober and in good spirits. The band were really into the performance. Even though the audience was giving them little love they didn't allow this to spoil their mood. The production was cool, but I'm left wondering if I'm seeing basically the same show with a different light production and Emily costume change(s). Emily's shoes as always were fabulous. Another solid set worth the 75 cents per Metric minute it cost us.

The Sheepdogs have been on my bucket list for a while now, however, was never interested in the…read moreprice tag. It was free tonight and since I had a season pass, therefore, it paid for itself. The band lived up to the hype from everyone. They have a very nostalgic 60's rock vibe to them pulling the genre off really well. It was a respectable line between imitation and homage. Amazing musicians and very solid and clean. Not much in the stage banter department. They were more concerned about pulling off a solid perfect show.

I got lost in the dark park, however, the minute the intro music of the Gorillaz played I followed…read morethe sweet sound of Damon Albarn's voice. The band have been accused of being the most lack luster live band, the poster children for shoe gazer bands. The band I saw tonight were the exact opposite. They weren't overly energetic but not a band that warranted the performance accusation by Pitchfork. Then again it's not hard to be moved by your own beat. The audience were into it but their energy was compromised by a herbal substance which is a shame since the band had a lot to offer musically. There were selected moments in which the audience surrendered to their emotions. It was cool to see the crowd gently bobbing their heads like a tame sea with a glow reflected by the purple and blue lighting hues bouncing off the stage. There was no shortage of stage banter. It came across as bitter hostile rants similar to Morrissey but without the charm. He reminded me of half the people I can't stand who come into the record store. The actual music was really sharp and refined. Lots of horns. The band had very good musical performance chemistry even though they acted like strangers meeting for the first time. Set list was balanced between the slow and rock songs. Of course the hits were saved for the encore. Simple standard stage lighting. What I did gain from the show was hearing a few of my favourite underrated album tracks performed live. I also gained a different appreciation for their catalog. Modest Mouse have all the ingredients, more than most bands these days, however, after every Modest Mouse show I still feel empty. It always feels as though nothing was ale to stick after the euphoric feeling during the show. Modest Mouse have made permanent residence on my iPod as hipster lullabies. I felt drowsy out of relaxation. My mind escaped into my dreamy safe spot for a good 90 minutes. When I came to I almost forgot where I was.

To be honest this was a last minute decision to come out to the show. It's been 12 years since the…read morelast Weezer show and I didn't feel that I missed them after all of these years. They were just a band in the back of my head with 5 songs that I really liked and only 2 of that I can say I connected with. They're not a band band. It was just hard for me to appreciate their very Americana lyrics. Their last 3 albums did nothing for me. Their earlier songs are great pop alternative songs but nothing with memories attached to them. It was a sunny day and a good excuse to go to Deer Lake Park. I did a hike before the show. It was also fun to watch the sun set behind the stage. There was a sense of romantic youth watching the sky change over gradually through various shades of blue. Getting in was an unorganized chaotic mess. They pushed the start time by an hour to ensure that at least a third of the people got in before Panic at The Disco. I didn't have patience for the line and honestly wanted some nachos with fake plastic cheese in my tummy ASAP. I'm not a fan of Panic at The Disco's music, however, their live show was amazing. I was blown away. The entire band gave more than 100%. Their set was high energy which was consistent from beginning to end. I was in the thick of the pit and burned 400 calories (had my fitness watch on). They all enjoyed being on stage which made the audience, myself included, invested in their set even if the music wasn't there for me. I've gained a serious respect for the band. They had a full brass section which is something you don't see often with alternative bands that aren't in the ska genre. Vocally it was hit and miss. The high notes were hit properly but the rest sounded semi horse. It was equal billing, therefore, they got a full 75 minutes. The mood was killed by a horrible cover of Queen's Bohemian Rhapsody. It was embarrassing. Not even my internal Wayne's World moment was able to save it. Panic had a full production and lights which you don't often see with opening bands. Brenden Urie was a very charismatic front man. He managed to pull off the shirtless with leather skinny pants look without looking like a total douche like the guy from The 1975. He treated the image with a sense of respect. I would actually see Panic Again. I cashed in the calories I burned at Panic at The Disco and bought a jumbo hot dog....wait for it.....topped with Pork and Beans. Weezer came out with a semi dramatic entrance with a projection of their trademark "W" front on a curtain.

Truthfully I came here to see Metric but stayed due to credibility guilt. Everyone I told seemed…read moreupset that I was leaving after Metric, therefore, I stayed for 5 songs just to see what the hype was all about. I appreciate that they know how to get a crowd going and feel good, however, I was struggling to actually connect with the material. I did review their new album as part of "New Shit I Listened To" segment of my web zine. I blessed the album with 3 out of 5 stars. I was hoping to get something out of the new material live but it did little to convince me that I was listening to the best album of the year. I will give them production points. They used a really cool 3D stage configuration but did little of note with it. I knew that after 5 songs that they were just a one trick pony with the stage production. The band themselves, although charismatic, looked lost with the stage layout. Imagine Dragons are another one of those bands whose music works better in a club or small theatre setting. Fortunately they've grown in popularity that Rogers Arena was the logical booking. Maybe next time they should do 2 nights at the QE with the same production? Lady Gaga was successfully able to do this a few years back. There was a magic that seemed lost in translation in such a big venue. I got a better understanding of how they ended up in arenas, though I think the singer could do with more onstage charisma and the drummer could up his game more. The advantage of our seats was that we were able to spot some technical sound tricks otherwise missed by the general concert goer. Most of the drums were click tracked, the guitar notes were too clean that they sounded pre-recorded (even The Edge makes mistakes and we all notice) and the lead singer was only singing live 30% of the time (we were that close that we noticed synch issues). In retrospect it wasn't a bad show, it just wasn't the show for me musically.