Washington DC band Priests play the Biltmore Cabaret July 2. Ebru Yildiz photo.
The big concerts this month are Paul McCartney and Queen + Adam Lambert. But there are a bunch of shows bubbling under, from the jazz-pop stylings of Norah Jones to a double-bill of new-wave pioneers the Psychedelic Furs and James. Just to keep things interesting, we’ve thrown in a couple of younger, up-and-coming postpunk bands we think are worthwhile (and affordable).
Priests (July 2 at the Biltmore Cabaret, 2755 Prince Edward St.)—The Washington DC post-punk group recently released a new album, The Seduction of Kansas. The title comes from What’s the Matter With Kansas?, a 2004 book by political analyst Thomas Frank, which should tell you a little about where this band is coming from. (Tickets: $17 at eventbrite.ca)
Paul McCartney (July 6 at BC Place Stadium, 777 Pacific Blvd.)—Former Beatle plays hits on his Freshen Up tour. (Tickets: $47-343 at ticketmaster.ca)
Queen + Adam Lambert (July 10 at Rogers Arena, 800 Griffiths Way)—Thanks to last year’s hit biopic Bohemian Rhapsody, the English rock band has probably never been more popular. They’re currently touring with Adam Lambert as frontman. (Tickets: $850-1000 at ticketmaster.ca)
Norah Jones (July 28 at the Orpheum, 601 Smithe St.)—The singer/songwriter broke through with her debut album, 2002’s Come Away With Me. Since then she’s released albums like Little Broken Hearts, a 2012 collaboration with producer Danger Mouse, and 2016’s Day Breaks, a return to the sound that put her on the charts. Her latest, Begin Again, is a collection of seven songs ranging from jazz-soul to psychedelia. (Tickets: $99-572 at ticketmaster.ca)
The Beths (July 31 at the Biltmore Cabaret)—New Zealand pop/punk band The Beths are on a summer tour in support of their breakthrough release Future Me Hates Me. Earlier this year, at the huge SXSW music festival in Austin, several reviewers singled out the trio as a standout act. (Tickets: $15 at eventbrite.ca)
New Zealand band The Beths play the Biltmore Cabaret July 31. Mason Fairey photo.
The Psychedelic Furs (July 31 at the Orpheum)—With songs like “Love My Way” and “Pretty in Pink,” new wave standard-bearers the Psychedelic Furs were once MTV staples. The band hasn’t released anything new since 1991’s World Outside, but fans will be happy hearing the hits from records like Forever Now (1982) and Mirror Moves (1984). James, another English rock band from the same era, opens. (Tickets: $37-78 at ticketmaster.ca)
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