Sounds like another big year in concerts
From Birdman Live to Big Boi, early 2018 schedule includes master musicians and veteran MCs
A new year means a new calendar. That new calendar needs to have those all important concert dates marked down. Admit it, we all tend to purchase our tickets so far enough in advance that it’s possible to forget we even did so.
So set those electronic alerts so you don’t find yourself scrambling the night of the show.
Here are the five shows coming in January and February that we think you’ll want to consider seeing. This can also serve as a reminder to those who picked up tickets to any of these shows when they were announced as long ago as last January that the big event is coming up.
Naturally, Postmedia will keep on updating this list through 2018.
Katy Perry: Witness the Tour with Carly Rae Jepsen
Feb. 5 and 6, 7 p.m. | Rogers Arena Tickets and info: From $80 at ticketmaster.ca
If there is one thing everyone loves, it’s a huge arena show that doesn’t hold back on anything. That is pretty well the description of Katy Perry’s latest event. With multiple costume changes, complex lighting, huge stage design and — yes, those too — her hits, the singer is going for broke on this one. For a bonus, the Lower Mainland’s own Carly Rae Jepsen opens and that gives fans a chance to recall, maybe, just how good the singer’s last album really sounded.
Big Boi: Daddy Fat Saxxx Tour Sack 2
Jan. 9, 8 p.m. | Commodore Ballroom
Tickets and info: $45 at ticketmaster.ca
As one half of the Atlanta crew Outkast, this MC toured arenas and headlined festivals. He still does that. Lucky for local hip-hop fans, Big Boi is taking in some smaller venue shows on his latest tour in support of last year’s Boomiverse. His latest solo outing is full of the kinds of shiny club bangers that he’s built his career on, skipping trends and just letting him do what he does best. That is to drop cheek-laden lyrics with smooth flow and more than a little appreciation for big pop choruses. Could be the year’s first dance-off.
Tyler, the Creator, DJ set from Taco City Rockers and Vince Staples
Jan. 26, 6 p.m. | P.N.E. Forum Tickets and info: $47 at ticketleader.ca
A heavy hitting triple bill of contemporary rap sounds from the darker sides of the psyche. Headliner Tyler, the Creator has been creating intensely personal and frequently controversial albums that many either love or hate. His most recent, titled Flower Boy, received some of the most consistently positive reviews of his career to date. Maybe he’s growing up.
Birdman Live
Feb. 1, 7 p.m. | The Vogue Theatre, 918 Granville
Tickets and info: From $36 at ticketfly.com
Mexican-American jazz drummer Antonio Sánchez has won Grammy Awards working with guitarist Pat Metheny in a few different groupings. He has also released acclaimed solo albums as a leader. But his film score for the movie Birdman — a jarring, brilliant, solo percussion jam that free-formed along to the film’s jagged narrative — put him on a different level altogether. In this performance/screening, Sanchez plays live to the film and reviews of his shows have absolutely raved about the experience. A rare tour by a busy master musician.
Burger A-Go-Go
Feb. 22 and 23, 7 p.m. | The Rickshaw Theatre
Tickets and info: From $18 at electrostub.com
Burger Records is both a label and a store based out of Fullerton, Calif. Founded in 2007, the label has released work from hundreds of artists whose music absolutely doesn’t conform to any specific genre. Besides hosting festivals showcasing its artists at home, the label has put together a touring version, too. The Burger A-Go-Go show coming to Vancouver includes such familiar names as Cambodian psychedelia revivalists Dengue Fever to the garage rocking grind of Coathangers and Winter’s dream pop. One thing to note about Burger Records is how many of its artists are fronted by women, which is truly refreshing in the frequent testosterone tedium of the rock world.