TOP PICKS FOR MUSIC
Great acts on their way
Catch them before they’re gone. While not the most gentile way of putting it, that phrase is commonplace among classic-rock fans as they look at the fall 2019 tours. The legends of the ’60s and ’70s are in their 70s and 80s and it comes as no surprise that they’re retiring from touring and such.
And who would begrudge anyone who has put up with five decades or more on the road wanting to not do that anymore?
So, yes, do go see those artists you idolize when you can. Recent visits by Bryan Ferry, Elton John and Neil Young were all top-shelf shows.
Recent genre revivals producing really exciting new music include punk in the U.K., Ireland and Australia, with bands such as Amyl and the Sniffers, The Chats, Idles, and Fontaines DC making dynamic sounds.
The soul scene in the U.S. is taking off with acts revisiting the heyday of Stax/volt/motown, as well as Afro-futurism and space funk.
And anyone with a taste for the Vancouver improvised music scene and its internationally acclaimed players would do well to check out the jazz jams at Pat’s Pub (403 East Hastings St.), nighttime action at China Cloud (524 Main St.) and 8 East (8 East Pender St.), where there is swinging, inventive and interesting music made weekly.
From classic to cool, retro to wacky, here are the top picks for fall music:
THE WHO: MOVING ON!
When: Oct. 21, 7:30 p.m.
Where: Rogers Arena, 800 Griffiths Way.
Tickets and info: Ticketmaster. com
One of the greatest live-rock acts of all time is back with its first new album in 13 years and, according to advance reviews, Who is the best thing by the band since Who Are You? The leadoff track, Ball and Chain, certainly shows the band’s signature style of maximum R&B while making a statement about Guantanamo, Cuba. Singer Roger Daltrey and guitarist/songwriter Pete Townshend are joined by a touring quartet and a solo violinist and cellist, as well as picking up orchestras along the stops. Reviews about the 55-plus musician performances have been strong and the band is bringing out some rarely performed material to the sets. Both surviving original members of the band have been performing solo tours of Who material, so it’s good to see them back together again.
BRITTANY HOWARD
When: Nov. 19, 7 p.m.
Where: Commodore Ballroom, 868 Granville St.
Tickets and info: $62.50 at livenation.com
With Alabama Shakes, singer/ guitarist Brittany Howard lays down some solid retro-roots rock with smatterings of blues and even a bit of acid wah-wah on occasion. On her solo debut, the vocalist drops the finest material of her career, taking chances to explore Prince-like orchestrations and grooves (Baby) to more experimental funk numbers that sometime mirror Nina Simone jamming with Four Tet (Goat Head) and big, spaced-out atmospheric crooning (Run to Me). It’s one of the year’s best and she has already established herself as a fine live-performer.
MAGIC SWORD
When: Dec. 13, 7 p.m.
Where: Venue, 881 Granville St. Tickets and info: $33.31 at ticketweb.ca
There always has to be room for something weird in pop music and this electronic trio from Boise, Idaho, has decided weird means wearing cloaks and masks to completely conceal their faces and most of their bodies. No doubt they won’t have to worry about being ID’D on the street when they become massively popular, and that may very well happen. Magic Sword’s synthheavy sounds have been featured in the official trailer for Thor: Ragnarok and its tying in music with comic books and other such marketing puts the band squarely in Nerd World. That’s a very good planet to be on too. The fan base is dedicated and will support its own.