This was the 4th time I’ve seen them live (plus all the albums) and the largest venue. The other times were in smaller “club” style places and I am sure the larger Commodore space didn’t help the atmosphere, which was pretty subdued – even for Vancouver. CWK always draw a very mixed audience for a style that often defies simple definition, and tonight was no different – I went from feeling very old to seeing people of my parents’ age!

I am a huge fan and tonight was no disappointment with a great combination of tracks all delivered with the passion and intensity only they can create. I’ve now taken 4 different people to see them and each time I am asked “what kind of music is it?”. I struggle to explain and on each occasion my friends leave saying things like “that was really different” or “I quite enjoyed that”!

I will keep spreading the word and if you ever get the chance, go see them live….you will not be disappointed..

We arrived to find out that Carl Barat would not be supporting due to “unforeseen circumstances” which, according to various “experts” was the result of being refused entry into Canada!

Glad to see the Canadian government are protecting us from such unsavory characters.

Anyway ……the last minute replacement (unknown?) appeared as surprised as the audience was that he was there playing a blues set. Would probably have been better in a smoky New Orleans bar together with far more JD, but ok all the same.

I am still getting used to the timings of gigs in BC which results in spending far to much time at the bar waiting for Glasvegas to come on stage. On the plus side I did meet a local chef who was able to provide some great advice on where to buy good meat and produce – every cloud as they say.

Glasvegas are on top in the UK and one of the benefits of living here is I get to see them in a small club and tickets are easy to get. Even so I was surprised how busy it was given the album was only just released – and almost every song was greeted with a singalong and huge enthusiasm! – a great atmosphere all round.

They delivered a great set, although a little short (50 mins?) and no encore, which was strange given the reception.

You can get a “professional” review of the night here >>>>>>

Roll on April when they return to play the Commodore – its a shame more UK bands don’t know where Vancouver is!

• Ivy league preppies
• The latest “blog” created “sensation”
• They describe their genre of music as “Upper West Side Soweto” – as someone said…it sounds more like the name of a charity fundraiser than a genre

But it arrived today and after several plays….I have to admit its pretty good It’s a mix of African beats, classical string arrangements with peculiar, eclectic and engaging lyrics….all the hype appear to be true! And I managed to get some tickets to see them later this month – already looking forward to it!

See what you think?

Good review at >>>>>>>

Worth a listen and then a live trip…….amazing show

www.britishseapower.co.uk

BUT most importantly …. Less VIP entrances and corporate stuff……and please NO executives standing at the front. You had the crazy situation of 18,000 “fans” separated from Bruce by a few hundred “VIPS” and a large empty area…..

It did not sit well with all the sincere messages about “Crisis over Christmas” and the world today…Guess it’s a case of “do as I say, not do as I do” ? Bruce…please……learn from this

Good review at http://music.guardian.co.uk/live/story/0,,2230099,00.html

www.brucespringsteen.net

http://frank-turner.com

www.arcadefire.com

www.theenemy.com

‘Jon McClure is the self-aggrandising, Sheffield-bred Reverend, and with his backing group, the Makers, he works through the same poetry of beers, blokes and birds as the Arctic Monkeys (Alex Turner even contributes vocals to the chorus of The Machine). Yet McClure has also tapped into the Steel City’s hard-edged electro heritage, filling the album with the kind of gritty electric pulses that make the swaggering Heavyweight Champion Of The World, The State Of Things and the laid-back strut of Sundown On The Empire so vital. Things may go awry on He Said He Loved Me, where comedy Essex girls cheep-cheep the grating refrain, but as an updated take on the Specials’ equal disgust and infatuation with urban life, it’s impressive’

Add to this a great live show and that says it all

www.iamreverend.com

www.kingsofleon.com