Before filling your tea cup with tears because there’ll likely be no Canucks hockey this year, at least in 2012, I’ve got the silver lining for you. You see, not only do you not have to worry about why Mason Raymond is still on the team, or when Roberto Luongo will be traded for something actually tangible, but you’ll have some extra change in your pocket. Yeah, that jingle jangle is some quality shrapnel, and it’s burning a hole in your pocket. So before you join the bitchfest at your local pub how Vancouver is no fun city, think about this, you may be approaching the best concert month this city has ever seen. No matter your genre or interest. It doesn’t matter that Noel Gallagher hits the Garage stage in October, or even Bob Dylan, November may just top all of that. Not just that, if you’ve never been to a concert before, one weekend of shows will make you the envy of many a bucket list.
Let’s break this down by venue.
Rogers Arena
November 6 Wiz Khalifa – One of raps best new players brings The Taylor Gang, for a night that will probably convert Garage into a hotbox.
November 10 Metric – Canada’s favorite front woman, Emily Haines and her band bring their energetic show to Vancouver, every concert these guys seem to do on the West Coast seems to be a winner.
November 11 Neil Young & Crazy Horse – Do you need an introduction? Probably the most recognizable voice in rock ‘n’ roll today, and a Canadian icon comes to Vancouver. Expect a patriotic showing this Remembrance Day.
November 12 Leonard Cohen – Montreal’s own, Leonard Cohen makes a stop the very next night. The musician, poet, and novelist is probably best known for 1984 classic, ‘Hallelujah’ amongst those unfamiliar with his wider body of work.
November 17 Red Hot Chilli Peppers – The band affectionately known as The Chillis or RHCP bring their high tempo, rock out with your cock in a sock out style to the Garage. The Hall of Famers have an insane library of hits to pick from, and will be sure to play many of their classics.
November 26 Bruce Springsteen and the E Street Band – ‘Is there anyone else alive out there?’ Expect the boss to deliver that grit and gravel filled voice backed by the amazing E Street Band. Springsteen’s shows are high energy, old school rock n roll, and quite varied, as the same set list is never performed twice. A rarity in today’s world of luxury filled riders and carefully scripted shows.
BC Place
November 25 Paul McCartney – This guy from Liverpool hasn’t actually played in Vancouver since the ’60’s when he was with some boy band. A show that can easily be labelled the show of the year, if not the decade. McCartney touts a 40 song set list, with two encores, and 20+ Beatles classics.
The Commodore Ballroom
November 9 Colin James – Colin James is an under-appreciated rocker from Regina, who brings a unique blend of blues and swing
November 14 Wintersleep – The understated Atlantic rockers came on scene with ‘Weighty Ghost’, they’re touring their latest album, ‘Hello Hum’, featuring the single ‘In Came the Flood’
Queen Elizabeth Theatre
November 16 Alice Cooper – When I was much younger, I used to get Alice Cooper and Ozzy Osbourne mixed up, not hard to do for a kid, no matter what his vision. Yes, he’s 64, yes, it’d be tough to be convinced that he actually knows when school is out these days, but he’s a hall of famer, and one of those legendary acts that spans decades.
Dark Horses
Walk The Moon – If you haven’t heard the track Anna Sun, you should check it out, these guys sound like The Killers, and you can catch them at one of the cooler venues in the city, Electric Owl for about $20
Emeli Sande – The R&B/Soul artist is doing a show at Venue, you may recognize this Scottish songstress from London Olympics, did I mention it’s also only $20?
I Mother Earth – The Alt Rockers are playing probably the best venue in the city,The Commodore, if you want to catch some 90’s rock
Disney On Ice – Need something for the kids? There’s a ton of shows at the PNE featuring the typical family friendly stylings of Disney
Ballet BC – If you’re into Ballet, the QE has you covered for a few dates in November