As the weather gets warmer and the days get longer, prepare for spring concert season when some of your favourite music artists and bands hit the touring circuit, from small, intimate venues to mid-sized theatres or clubs to superstars performing inside packed arenas. See who’s coming to Vancouver and get your concert tickets before they sell out.
Intimate Concerts
Underneath the Harlem Moon Cabaret, Photo: Guilt & Company
Gastown’s great underground basement cocktail bar and live music venue Guilt & Company hosts great jazz bands, solo artists, and musicians throughout the week in a cozy spot just below the bustling downtown streets. Other small live music venues where you can catch a local band or new musicians perform include The Cobalt, Biltmore Cabaret, Rickshaw Theatre, The MOTN, The Pearl, and Fox Cabaret.
For an extra intimate experience, Sofar Sounds holds “secret” concerts in unique spaces. Concertgoers only know the general neighbourhood and venue rules ahead of time and are surprised with the specific location and artist the day before. If you’re feeling adventurous or want a unique live music experience in often unconventional spaces or private spots, grab a ticket and be surprised.
Otherwise, both April and May offer a bunch of fun concerts at medium or large venues across the city:
Theatre Concerts
Carrie Brownstein, Photo: Sleater-Kinney
There are also a bunch of great concerts hosted at theatre-sized spaces that are neither too big and crowded nor too small. If you’re looking to hear some great classical music for a good cause, check out the Thrive Refuge Concert for Peace, led by Ukrainian pianist and UBC School of Music student Sasha Luchko, at UBC Chan Centre for the Performing Arts on Apr. 12. They’e raising funds for the Immigrant Services Society of BC to provide refugees with the opportunity to explore the creative arts.
Danny Brown @ Commodore Ballroom – Apr. 1
The Detroit rapper performs on Granville Street in support of his sixth studio album, Quaranta.
Sleater-Kinney @ Vogue Theatre – Apr. 4
The Olympia feminist punk rock duo celebrate thirty years of performing together after the release of their eleventh album on their Little Rope Tour.
Slick Rick @ Hollywood Theatre – May 10
The ’80s hip-hop icon brings his distinctive voice and lyrical prowess to spit rhymes in the historic Kitsilano space.
Cadence Weapon @ Fox Cabaret – May 17
The Polaris Prize-winning Toronto rapper makes his return on tour for his new album Rollercoaster.
Shawn Desman @ Commodore Ballroom – May 23
The Mississauga singer tours across Canada for the first time in several years.
Arena Concerts
Photo: Avril Lavigne
For those looking to rock out with thousands of other fans in the warm spring air to one of the bigger acts coming to town, there are also some big-ticket concerts to look forward to:
Justin Timberlake @ Rogers Arena – Apr. 29
The NSYNC frontman heads out on The Forget Tomorrow World Tour after a six-year break between albums.
21 Savage @ Rogers Arena – May 1
The Grammy award-winning rapper starts his thirty-city American Dream Tour across the continent.
Pearl Jam @ Rogers Arena – May 4 & 6
The legendary Seattle rockers kick off their Dark Matter World Tour around the globe in Vancouver.
Avril Lavigne @ Rogers Arena– May 22
The “Complicated” rocker hits the road for her Greatest Hits Tour playing all her best songs.
Sarah Mclachlan @ Pacific Coliseum – May 23
The Halifax-born singer/songwriter celebrates the anniversary of her hit 1993 album with Fumbling Towards Ecstasy 30th Anniversary Tour across North America.
To browse more concerts and purchase tickets, visit Ticketmaster‘s website.