Bruce Springsteen @ Rogers Arena
Before he even came onstage, the crowd was chanting “Bruuuuuuuuuuuuuuce!”. It sounded remarkably like “Luuuuuuuu!” which we all know hasn’t been heard in Rogers Arena this fall thanks to the lockout and a likely trade if the NHL season ever does get underway. Expectations couldn’t have been any higher. Bruce Springsteen has been showing a...
Neil Young coming to Rogers Arena
Yup, I’m continuing my incredibly retro fall of concerts with Neil Young at Rogers Arena on Sunday night. You know my thoughts on how the Bob Dylan concert went. Somehow I remain undaunted – I think Neil’s going to rock it! Tune in Monday to find out…
Bob Dylan @ Rogers Arena
You might be wondering why this post is a week late and has no cover photo whatsoever. If you are, then you’re reading this blog for which I thank you because I’ve been a terrible host. I guess I’m struggling a little with the point of this exercise I so cleverly dubbed MusicQwest – get...
Metallica @ Rogers Arena
Some say it’s passé. That thrash metal has seen its day. That grunge came and metal lost its way. Alas, for those gathered at Metallica’s concert last night, ‘twas not the case. The 31-year old band from California took to their “360”stage like they themselves were in their 30s. In town for two nights, both...
The Band Perry @ The Calgary Stampede
Kimberly Perry sure gets around. Now, now, I’m not being rude here, so get your mind out of the gutter. Less than a year ago I reviewed The Band Perry’s performance when they opened for Keith Urban at Rogers Arena, and now here I am doing the same thing for their performance prior to Brad...
Brad Paisley @ The Calgary Stampede
Well, I’m a day late and a dollar short on this review, but I’m going to forgive myself and so should you, ’cause folks, your humble scribe has been Stampedin’. Severely diminished in capacity, I’m going to keep this brief and let the pictures tell the stories. Maybe in a couple of days I’ll attempt...
Bush @ Rogers Arena
Bush’s Sixteen Stone album rose to popularity as I entered university in 1996. I remember that album being among those most played on my dorm floor. I also fell under the cryptic trance of Glycerine‘s meaningless lyrics. Lead singer Gavin Rossdale’s straining voice stood out amid the throng of pseudo-grunge bands like Candlebox and Collective Soul. Fast-forward...
Nickelback, Bush et al. @ Rogers Arena – Vancouver, B.C.
It’s not unusual for hugely popular performers to have equally fervent detractors. It generally explains how singers like Britney Spears can be widely ridiculed yet still attract huge crowds at concerts. Yet Spears belongs firmly in the backseat in this category. Let’s face it, Nickelback has been driving the bus on this one for quite...
Roger Waters, The Wall @ BC Place
The speakers hung from the ceiling at BC Place like artillery rifles pointing down at the crowd. The sound, so intimate, you would swear this concert was built especially for you. Even from my vantage point, in the balcony of the newly renovated stadium, I felt I was part of the show. Sure I was...
Khatsahlano Festival Announces Lineup
Tonight, Zulu Records held an adult, indie, keg party. Imagine John Cusack’s character from High Fidelity holding a keg party inside the record store, then throw in a little Empire Records concert without the Gin Blossoms. That’s what happened at Zulu. And it was all in honour of the second annual Khatsahlano Music and Arts Festival, which...
Arctic Monkeys & The Black Keys @ Rogers Arena
Call this one a tale of two bands – one English, one American. Both bands were born a decade ago and both were praised for making old sounds feel new again (punk and blues rock). One skyrocketed from English obscurity with the fasting selling debut album in British history (they beat Oasis’ Definitely Maybe). The...
Alabama Shakes @ Electric Brixton, London
The following review was provided by guest blogger Jeff Zroback, who lives in London, England. Jeff runs a successful asian literature blog called Cha. If you would like to submit a review, please contact me at dave@musicqwest.com. May 3rd, local election night across the country, including a hotly fought contest for London mayor. In Brixton,...
