Anoushka Shankar. Rolex Fadil Berisha photo.
From a new British indie-pop band to a sitar-playing royalty to a Filipino-by-way-of-Toronto gong collective, April has music-lovers covered. Scroll below to check out just a smattering of shows coming to Vancouver concert halls, rock clubs, and even art galleries over the next four weeks.
Ten Fe (April 14 at the Biltmore Cabaret, 2755 Prince Edward Street ) – London-based Ben Moorhouse and Leo Duncan recorded Hit the Light, their debut album as Ten Fé, on their own. After expanding to a five-piece for a tour, the group recorded its new album Future Perfect, Present Tense as a five-piece. According to the Guardian, “the result is an accomplished stab at the sort of intelligent indie that has brought the 1975 such success, with winning harmonies emphasizing their melodic nous and subtle hooks ensnaring the listener.” (Tickets: $15 at eventbrite.ca)
Väsen (April 13 at 8 p.m., St. James Community Square, 3214 West 10th Ave) – Swedish trio Väsen (pronounced “vessen”) is celebrating 30 years of performing traditional Swedish folk tunes. The group’s 12th album, Rule of 3, is out April 19. (Tickets: $29-$33 at roguefolk.bc.ca)
Buddy Guy (April 22 at 8 p.m., Orpheum Theatre) – One of the greatest blues guitarists alive, the 82-year-old Buddy Guy is touring in support of his latest album, The Blues is Alive and Well. Featuring guests James Bay, Keith Richards, Mick Jagger, and Jeff Beck, the album won Best Blues Album at this year’s Grammys. (Tickets: $63 at coastaljazz.ca)
Anoushka Shankar (April 27 at 8 p.m., Chan Centre for the Performing Arts, UBC, 6265 Crescent Road) – Sitar player (and daughter of the late Ravi Shankar) Anoushka Shankar will perform songs from her new compilation album Reflections. Known for her commitment to women’s rights and social justice, Shankar’s instrumental set celebrates her 20-year career with influences ranging from Latin, trance, chill, and other genres. (Tickets: from $46 at 604-822-2697 and chancentre.com)
Pantayo (April 27 at 8 p.m., Orpheum Annex, 823 Seymour St.) – Vancouver New Music presents Toronto gong-punk ensemble Pantayo in their Vancouver debut. The self-described “all-women lo-fi R&B gong punk collective” combines traditional gong chime instruments of the Philippines with synth-based electro grooves. The group will perform a full set of their own music, as well as one piece that will be created with local community members at a work shop held the day before the concert. Local 10-member act Gamelan Bike Bike opens. (Tickets: $29 general / $21 senior / $12 student at brownpapertickets.com or 1.800.838.3006)
Pantayo makes their Vancouver debut April 27 at the Annex.
Elspeth McVeigh (April 28 at 2 p.m., Visualspace Gallery, 3552 Dunbar St.) – Vancouver-based singer Elspeth McVeigh performs songs from seventeenth-century Italy and France in a show called Son Ruinato: I am Undone. Genevieve Mackay on the baroque violin and viola da gamba accompanies McVeigh for a rare chance to hear music from an era all too often forgotten in our modern world. (Tickets: $25 at eventbrite.ca)
