Inside Vancouver

Paul McCartney, Norah Jones and four other concerts to see in July

by Shawn Conner in Entertainment on June 28, 2019

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).

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Paul McCartney, Norah Jones and four other concerts to see in July

Next Music from Tokyo Vol. 14 brings back favourites Koutei Camera Girl Drei and four more

by Shawn Conner in Insider on May 17, 2019

Koutei Camera Girl Drei

Twice a year, music fans in Vancouver (and Montreal and Toronto) are treated to some of the wildest underground musical talent Japan has to offer. Next Music from Tokyo comes to Canada courtesy Toronto music fan/anaesthesiologist Steven Tanaka, who makes annual scouting pilgrimages to the country and then brings the best of what he sees back home.

This latest edition, Vol. 14, features five acts, one back by popular demand and a few new ones. The showcase comes to the Biltmore May 20. Tickets are only $15 at eventbrite.ca. Find out more about the bands below (click on names to watch a video).

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Next Music from Tokyo Vol. 14 brings back favourites Koutei Camera Girl Drei and four more

You’d have to be crazy to miss Mass of the Fermenting Dregs

by Shawn Conner in Events on September 14, 2018

Led by unruly frontwoman Kobara Sae, Otori stunned audiences in Toronto in 2015. She’s in Vancouver with the band Oct. 10.

We’ve written at Inside Vancouver before about one of the most cosmic music events to wash up on these shores. Well, we’re excited again to spotlight a new Next Music from Tokyo!

This twice-annual touring bill offers audiences in only three cities in North America (Toronto, Montreal and Vancouver) the chance to see bands from the Far East who might otherwise never perform here. And, if the chance to see bands with names like Mass of the Fermenting Dregs and Paranoid Void wasn’t enough, this latest edition marks the first time a non-Japanese band is touring as part of the lineup.

See below to find out more about Next Music from Tokyo Vol. 13, which comes to the Biltmore Cabaret (2755 Prince Edward St.) on Oct. 10. (Click on band names for videos.)

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You’d have to be crazy to miss Mass of the Fermenting Dregs

Two Vancouver live music venue parties you won’t want to miss

by Shawn Conner in Events on June 28, 2018

Maggie May Morris brings her band Sunbathe to Vancouver for the Rickshaw Theatre’s 9th anniversary party.

While many of the city’s live music fans are still lamenting the recent closure of rock club the Cobalt, two other local venues are celebrating their staying power.

On Friday, July 6, Mount Pleasant’s the Biltmore Cabaret celebrates 10 years of hosting many of the most celebrated names in indie-rock, not to mention its dance-filled weekend DJ shows. And on July 13, the mighty Rickshaw Theatre pops the cork on nine years of presenting ear-damaging punk and metal shows, as well as some of the best in indie-rock, pop, and more, along with a wide variety of other shows and events.

See below for more info on how these two storied Vancouver venues are kicking out the jams for their respective anniversaries.

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Two Vancouver live music venue parties you won’t want to miss

Where to experience the music of ABBA in Vancouver this spring!

by Shawn Conner in Entertainment on April 3, 2018

The VSO will join Arrival from Sweden in playing the hits of ABBA May 2 at the Orpheum Theatre.

Nothing cheers up your friendly neighbourhood Inside Vancouver correspondent more than being able to bring readers news related to the music of one the best pop bands ever, ABBA. And this spring offers an embarrassment of riches when it comes to the music of the Swedish quartet.

A remount of the spectacular musical Mamma Mia!, a Swedish ABBA cover act playing with the Vancouver Symphony Orchestra, and even ABBA burlesque are coming to town. See below for details.

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Where to experience the music of ABBA in Vancouver this spring!

Home-made version of Family Feud returns!

by Shawn Conner in Uncategorized on August 5, 2017

A local version of Family Feud was such a success that organizers are bringing it back.

On Aug 9, the Biltmore Cabaret will host the second edition of Mack Gordon’s version of the famous TV game show. The first edition played to a packed and raucous house last June.

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Home-made version of Family Feud returns!

Catch HBO star/podcaster/talk-show host/stand-up comic Chris Gethard this Tuesday night in Vancouver!

by Shawn Conner in Uncategorized on May 29, 2017

On his Beautiful/Anonymous podcast, Chris Gethard fields a random call and talks to a stranger. As the comedian himself admits, this is can go a lot of ways – funny, sad, neither. Which is why, when he comes to Vancouver to record a new episode tomorrow night (Tuesday May 30) at the Biltmore Cabaret (2755 Prince Edward St.), he’ll also do a set of stand-up.

Besides Beautiful/Anonymous and his standup comedy career, Gethard hosts his own TV talk show, The Chris Gethard Show; starred in the 2016 Mike Birbiglia film Don’t Think Twice; and is a cast member on the hit Comedy Central series Broad City.

Other credits include Inside Amy Schumer (Comedy Central), The Office (NBC), Parks and Recreation (NBC), Louie (FX), and Bored To Death (HBO). You can also catch him in his own HBO comedy special, Career Suicide. We talked to the 37-year-old New Jersey-ite about the podcast, therapy, and his upcoming Vancouver show.

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Catch HBO star/podcaster/talk-show host/stand-up comic Chris Gethard this Tuesday night in Vancouver!