A look at the top 10 gigs that hit town in 2017
There is always going to be disagreement among music lovers as to what constitutes a great live show. So any year-end list of the 10 best concerts of 2017 will naturally be contentious. Such is the nature of personal taste. I made a promise to myself on Jan. 1, 2017, to compile my list of best gigs of this year and I’ll share it with you because it differs from year’s past. These were my five checklist points in assessing my final picks:
Spectacle: Clearly, the entertainment factor matters more when you are in a giant arena. This was a banner year for B.C. Place shows and it takes a special kind of presentation to reach audiences in that venue’s cavernous confines. In many ways, the music will always come second in such a setting. The spectacle matters, a lot.
Sound quality: Seriously, with stratospheric ticket prices and state-of-the-art technology, there just isn’t any excuse for bad live sound anymore. Any artist, even one I truly adore, goes right to a failing grade if they can’t get the mix right. It’s inexcusable and — in my opinion — suggests the artist doesn’t care.
Energy: Another obvious point, but life on the road can weary even the most seasoned acts. Nothing sucks like seeing someone going through the motions and, even then, just barely making the grade.
Set list: Yeah, you have a new album out. And you want to let people hear it. Remember the four or five albums way long ago that made you megastars? Play more from them than the new stuff. It’s why people showed up.
Engagement: No, this isn’t referring to pat “Hello Cleveland” banter with the crowd. It’s that effect that happens when you are in a venue and truly experience connection with the artist. It’s transitional, but there are some performers who can hold that moment for an entire show. That’s what makes them superstars.
ROGER WATERS US + THEM TOUR Oct 28 | Rogers Arena
There are a lot of Pink Floyd fans who never saw the seminal band live. Co-founder Waters gave them a taste of the group’s career with a focus on the brilliant Animals album. In keeping with the Floyd legacy, the stage production was amazing, the execution precise but not mechanical and he really seemed to be having a good time. Nobody could have left this show unhappy.
COLDPLAY A HEAD FULL OF DREAMS TOUR Sept. 29 | B.C. Place
I admit, I don’t care for this band’s music. But this performance was such non-stop, high energy fun, people were totally losing it and I caught the vibe. From LED wristbands to rainbow confetti and lead singer Chris Martin running himself ragged, this was everything a big arena rock show should be.
RICHARD THOMPSON
May 24 | PitchFork Social, Saltspring Island
I had no idea that Bullock Lake Farm on Saltspring Island had a live music venue in a repurposed cabin in the woods where worldclass roots talents ply their trade. Once this was made clear to me, getting on the ferry to catch a show was an obvious “must do.” Thompson is a living legend of the U.K. folk rock scene as well as one of the world’s finest guitar players. His solo performance was absolute magic, although it was more of a duet as his soundman played the mixing console like an instrument in perfect time with Thompson.
MAX RAABE AND PALAST ORCHESTER
April 9 | Chan Centre
This immensely talented German group has been blowing away audiences the world over with its note-perfect renditions of Top 10 tunes and rarities that poured out of Berlin and Paris cabarets in the 1920-’30s. To finally experience the orchestra live was brilliant. Leader and lead vocalist Raabe also has one of the most dour wits I’ve encountered in ages.
DALAVA
May 14 | Rio Theatre
Singer Julie Ulehla and guitarist Aram Bajakian’s freewheeling fusion of Czech folk songs and jazz improvisation is one of the most exciting things happening on the Canadian music scene at the moment. The group’s latest album, titled the Book of Transfigurations, is fantastic. But the live show is even better. I can’t even recall who they were opening for this night because they wiped any memory of the other artist from my brain.
THE ZOMBIES
April 21 | Commodore
Getting to hear one of my favourite ’60s bands playing its incredible Odessey and Oracle album from start to finish was totally exciting. Getting my head blown off by how exceptional singer Colin Blundstone still sounds and how heavy and intense the band plays was brilliant. And the few new songs played were so good I’d happily hear more. Anything but the walking dead, these Zombies were exploding with life.
GENTLE PARTY
March 21 | Academie Duello
Another spectacularly talented local group, this quartet draws from the local jazz, noise and rock scenes to combine into a sublime chamber pop sound on its killer debut record, Jouska. Hearing it performed in the city’s leading sword-fighting academy was perfect as the walls lined with weapons and shields seemed quite appropriate for the group’s cello, harp, violin and voice creations. All members are busy with other projects, the latest being lead singer Jessicka’s solo EP, titled Uh Oh, out on Light Organ Records.
GUNS N ROSES NOT IN THIS LIFETIME TOUR
Sept. 1 | BC Place
Given how dreadful GnR was when it last came to town on the long-delayed Chinese Democracy tour, this one had the potential to blow. Instead, it was a marathon set of all the hits and plenty of choice covers played with all the swagger you would expect from these one-time bad boys of rock. Lead vocalist Axl Rose sounded amazing all night and Slash was a solo machine. Bassist Duff McKagan is still the coolest.
U2 THE JOSHUA TREE TOUR
May 12 | BC Place
The Irish fab four playing what many consider to be its finest album from beginning to end promised to be something special. Combined with a set of fan faves to kick off the show, this was U2 at its very best. The band took to the material like it was still fresh to them and delivered a spiritually uplifting performance that had people on the edge of their seats singing along.
LADY GAGA THE JOANNE WORLD TOUR
Aug 1 |Rogers Arena
After doing a short small venue warm-up called the Dive Bar Tour, Lady Gaga kicked off her fifth headlining tour in Vancouver. She showed up gunning for bear with a brilliantly choreographed show, career-spanning song selection and the huge set from creative director LeRoy Bennett. The three moving platforms and five performer wave lifts proved a shape-shifting work of genius all night long and the lady was relentless in giving every number her all.