Six must-see April concerts in Vancouver

Stephen Malkmus and the Jicks at the Biltmore Cabaret, Vancouver, Oct 12 2011. Siamak Amini photo.

If there’s anything that can be said about the concert climate for April, it’s that it’s sunny with a chance of rock.

Three of today’s hottest rock bands in the world – one from the U.K., one from the U.S. and one from Australia – are coming to town. There’s also a boy-opera band, a classic rocker (if you’re idea of classic rock is the stuff they didn’t play on the radio in the ’70s) and an indie-rocker who started it all.

Future Islands (April 4 at the Rickshaw Theatre, 254 E. Hastings St.) – Ever since their appearance on The Late Show With David Letterman went viral, Baltimore’s Future Islands have been on a roll. The band returns to Vancouver for a show at the Rickshaw Theatre in support of their new album, Singles. Tickets: $15 at ticketweb.ca.

Bryan Ferry (April 5 at Queen Elizabeth Theatre, 649 Cambie St.) – Everyone knows Bryan Ferry, right? The lead singer with seminal ’70s band Roxy Music, which morphed from experimental glam-rock into a safe-for-North-American-radio ’80s band with the hit album Avalon? The 68-year-old British pop star kicks off his first North American tour in Vancouver. According to Ferry’s website, the tour’s UK dates received glowing reviews: The Guardian called him “Byronesque” and wrote, “Ferry glories in nostalgia of the new, re-presenting his oeuvre in a new and thrilling way.” Singer/songwriter Dawn Landes opens. Show: 7:30 p.m. Tickets: $45.50, $69.50, $99.50 at ticketmaster.ca. Reserved seating/all ages.

Boy Bear (Apr 6 at the Commodore Ballroom, 868 Granville St.) – This five-piece has won just about every music award there is to win back in its homeland of Australia. Now the indie-rock group is bringing its second album, Harlequin Dream, to North America (with two sold-out Canadian dates already, in Calgary and Winnipeg). Don’t be surprised if it sells out in Vancouver (not Whistler exactly, but still with a strong Aussie component) as well. With special guests Wildlife. Show: 9 p.m. Tickets: $15.00 at ticketmaster.ca. Doors: 8 p.m./general admission.

Temples (April 8 at the Biltmore Cabaret, 2755 Prince Edward St.) – This British psychedelic-pop band is getting loads of attention from the UK press as well as elder statesmen like Robert Wyatt, Johnny Marr (The Smiths) and Noel Gallagher (Oasis). See them in a small club, playing songs from their debut Sun Structures, while you still can. With special guest Drowners. Show: 9 p.m. Tickets: $20 at ticketmaster.ca. General admission. 19+.

Il Divo: A Musical Affair (April 10 at Queen Elizabeth Theatre, 649 Cambie St.) – The classical vocal group brings its A Musical Affair: The Greatest Songs of Broadway Live to Vancouver. Count on songs from Phantom of the Opera, Les Mis and South Pacific. With guest Tony Award-winning singer/actress Lea Salonga (Miss Saigon). Show 8 p.m. Tickets $59.00, $89.00, $149.00 at ticketmaster.ca. Reserved seating/all ages.

Stephen Malkmus and the Jicks (April 10 at the Rickshaw Theatre, 254 E. Hastings St.) – Malkmus, who led the indie-rock band Pavement to glory in the 1990s, is back with his band The Jicks for a tour in support of the latest Stephen Malkmus and The Jicks album, Wig Out at Jagbags. Watch out for opener Speedy Ortiz, a female-fronted indie-rock band with Pavement in its genes that could possibly steal the show. Show: 9:30 p.m. Tickets: $20 at ticketweb.ca.

Article source: http://www.insidevancouver.ca/2014/04/01/six-must-see-april-concerts-in-vancouver/