*** Presale *** Iron Maiden – General Motors Place

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CFOX Presale Password: FINAL
On Sale: Friday March 12th @ 10am

Sharon Jones & The Dap Kings – Commodore Ballroom – Vancouver, British Columbia – 06/20/10

Massive Attack – Malkin Bowl – Vancouver, British Columbia – 05/29/10

An Evening With Simon and Garfunkel – General Motors Place – Vancouver, British Columbia – 04/29/10

Black Rebel Motorcycle Club Kills It

Last night was burning with the sounds of rock. Black Rebel Motorcycle Club were the white hot flame, with The Whigs being the initial ember. Both their individual sets were jaw dropping performances. The sound quality was amazing, the lighting reflective of every song and the artists were engulfed in the music. Last night was one of the most well rounded music experiences possible.

The Whigs took to the stage a little late, but the wait was worth it. Their mixture of grunge and post-punk stylings bring a tasty musical treat to feast on. Every song they played beamed with various influences. From Smiths guitar riffs, Nirvana vocal segments or Beatles undertones; they wear their mentors proud on each song. The intensity the entire three piece played with immediately engaged the crowd. Tim, on bass, walked to the front of the stage during the first song, and had the audience clapping in unison within seconds. Parker, the lead singer, was possessed by the music the entire set. His twitchy, jerky movements and his lanky legs darting around the stage, made for an awesome display. Julian, on drums, was a madman. His long locks lunging with every strike of his arms.

The entire performance was perfectly executed. The main reason was because it was not a performance. It was not a phony attempt to perform, it was pure. The emotion of each song and the passion of the music flowed through their bodies and into the fans below. The sincerity of the display was like a gift. True performances are very rare, but The Whigs are that rare band. Seeing them is a thing of beauty, and brings a feeling of seeing something new being brought to the world. The Whigs are everything good about new music.

During the moments between bands, the floor swelled with people. Swarming like locusts, they congregated quickly before the stage. The crowd had a very different feel to most. A majority of the attendees were older, and not of the normal concert type. It was refreshing to see an original crowd come out to a show. It felt like there was more excitement than usual. The almost virginity of the group had people on pins and needles waiting on those lights to drop and that band to take the stage.

Soon the lights did drop and Black Rebel Motorcycle Club took the stage. The three piece ensemble leapt into an amazing show. The sound was pure and raw, and the members were intense. Peters voice was rough with an emotional depth. The blues undertones of every song, pouring through him with a sense of effortlessness. The music was in control and used the band like its puppets. Robert, the bassist, was launched around the stage by the music. His body spasming with the rhythm in an almost Sex Pistol Sid’ish style.

Again this band like The Whigs, is pure and driven only by the music. Their desire for emotional release through this art form, is a blessing on the listeners. The sound of this group live, blows every album they have released off the wall. Each album is amazing in its own right, but compared to their live energy, their is no comparison. They bring an explosion to the stage. Black Rebel Motorcycle Club is the music that concert goers crave. People at their shows are left satisfied and left feeling like this is a concert to hold others to in comparison; it was spectacular. In the end of the night, some people sat awe struck, almost in disbelief they had just seen such a show.

The combination of both bands was a perfect pairing. Each band complimented the other in the perfect ways. Having The Whigs open the spark to the show, had the crowd up and running. Once the flame that is Black Rebel Motorcycle Club burst to the stage, the crowd exploded. You could not ask for a better lineup.

All in all this was one of the most amazing musical experiences one could have. Any time one of these bands comes to your area, get off your couch and out of that chair and buy a ticket. One day you will be able to look back and remember with pride, having seen these two powerhouses of purity. Black Rebel Motorcycle Club is the basis for what a great headliner needs to captivate a musical evening. The Whigs are the picture of what an relatively unknown band needs to explode on to the seen.

Set List
War Machine
Mama
Red Eyes
Love Burns
Aya
Bad Blood
Tattoo
Loan
Berlin
Weapon
Annabel
Ain’t No
Punk

Accoustic
Shuffle
River
Evl
Conscience
Spread
Sex Barrell

666
Steal A Ride
???
Shawdows

Happy Concerting

Jamie Taylor
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Photographs by Jamie Taylor

Iron Maiden – General Motors Place – Vancouver, British Columbia – 06/27/10

The Melvins – Rickshaw Theater – Vancouver, British Columbia – 07/05/10

*** Presale *** Video Games Live – Queen Elizabeth Theater

Ticketmaster Link
CFOX Presale Password: THWOMP
On Sale: Thursday March 4th @ 10am

*** Presale *** John Butler Trio (2nd Show) – Commodore Ballroom

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CFOX Presale Password: JOHN
On Sale: Thursday March 4th @ 10am

*** Presale *** Xavier Rudd – Malkin Bowl

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CFOX Presale Password: SMILE
On Sale: Thursday March 4th @ 10am

311 Wails Through The Night

Despite the recent departure of the Olympic fever, the Commodore Ballroom was alive and well last night. The Nebraska natives, 311, brought the house down in an outstanding performance. Opening the show were The Wailers, the all around good time reggae originals, with their peace and love code. The contrast of energy between the two acts added a great angle to the night. Overall it was good music, good times and great fun.

The Wailers were set to take the stage at 9:00pm but were running on Rastafari time. Clouds of happiness followed them on to the stage as they took over the venue. With the historic influence this band has bestowed on the music world, the crowd was definitely excited when they took the stage. The set list was a compilation of most everyone’s Marley favorites, sung near exact to the original recording; with Jamaican accent and all. From big time hits like I Shot The Sheriff to such lesser known pieces as Don’t Rock My Boat; it made for a magical set. Looking over the audience, it was easy to see that the reception of this band was amazing. A series of Caucasian men with their gangster hands bouncing to the base line. The Wailers amazed the crowd, and as the smoke cleared it was easy to see why.

After a longer than normal interlude the main act stormed the stage. 311 was set to start at 10:30 but didn’t start until five minutes to eleven. The wait was worth it. The lead singer, Nick, was powerful and swooned the fans from the get go. His charismatic rapport had the floor feeding from his hand within the first few songs. The supporting vocalist, SA, was intense and energetic, leaping around on the stage like a demon. The music secreted from his pours and saturated his clothing. Immediately his vivid display spread to the crowd. Combined with Nick’s charisma, it is definitely a one, two punch.

The drummer, Chad, was set up with a huge kit perched on a 3 foot riser. Buried behind a wall of cymbals and skins; the feint shadows of his feverish rhythms were evident. The bassist, Aaron, was playful and held his own musically. His reggae beat was heavy and deep. Throughout the night he exchanged funny faces with the fans before him. Tim, the lead guitarist, is over the top. At his feet was a plethora of foot pedals; a miniature sea of tiny little robots. He too played with intensity and pure sincerity. The band was tight and brought everything to the show. Historically, this is the norm for them, they are true musicians. Never have I heard stories of 311 having a bad performance, they are pure.

The set list was the norm, no obscure rarities, just hits and great feel good piece in between. The stage setup was very minimalist with the exception of the monstrous drum kit sitting on that 3 foot perch. 311 is a band that succeeds because of its attitude. They do not show up to play a gig because they are getting paid. They show up to rock the house off its foundation. Their love and passion for the art is evident in every note they play or lyric they sing. This is contagious, the people in attendance catch it like a fever. Overall they play an amazing show, they have huge staying power and I am sure they will be around for a few decades to come.

Some bands are fleeting and only sell tickets because they are popular at the moment. 311 is not one of those bands, they put it all out there and play for the music. I suggest seeing them live. Their albums are amazing but you cannot capture what they bring to a live show. Next time this band is in town, get out your credit card, its time to rock.

Happy Concerting

Jamie Taylor
- Email -

Photographs by Jamie Taylor

Penn and Teller – River Rock Show Theater – Richmond, British Columbia – 06/11/10

Tim Allen – Red Robinson Show Theater – Coquitlam , British Columbia – 06/18/10

Tim Allen – Red Robinson Show Theater – Coquitlam , British Columbia – 06/18/10

John Butler Trio – Commodore Ballroom – Vancouver, British Columbia – 05/30/10

Faber Drive – The Vogue Theater – Vancouver, British Columbia – 05/29/10

Video Games Live – Queen Elizabeth Theater – Vancouver, British Columbia – 05/06/10

*** Presale *** Brooks and Dunn – General Motors Place

Ticketmaster Link
CFOX Presale Password: RODEO
On Sale: Thursday March 4th @ 10am

The Longriders – Cascades Casino – Langley, British Columbia – 03/06/10

Steel Wheels – Cascades Casino – Langley, British Columbia – 03/19/10

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