Zakk Sabbath plays the Commodore By Steve Newton Dead Bob: new band formed by former NoMeansNo member John Wright, with guests the Vicious Cycles. December 1 at the Pearl. Lagwagon: punk-rock quintet from California, featuring vocalist Joey Cape. December 2 at the Hollywood Theatre. Just a Season: Vancouver folk-rock band fronted by singer-songwriter and guitarist … Continue reading Newt’s top 10 Vancouver concerts in December
Glass Tiger employs a Vancouver connection to make its mark with The Thin Red Line
ORIGINALLY PUBLISHED ON APRIL 4, 1986 By Steve Newton Newmarket, Ontario is not known as one of Canada's hotbeds for rock and roll. But the music scene in the small city, just north of Toronto, has livened up considerably since hometown band Glass Tiger began moving up the Canadian charts. "You know what happens," explains … Continue reading Glass Tiger employs a Vancouver connection to make its mark with The Thin Red Line
That time I asked Sonny Landreth what first got him into slide guitar
By Steve Newton I’ve interviewed Louisiana slide-guitar master Sonny Landreth four times between 1995 and 2016. This is the first time, when I called him up in Sacramento, California, where he was touring as the opening act for Chicago blues great Buddy Guy. Landreth was promoting his fourth studio album, South of I-10, which features a photo on … Continue reading That time I asked Sonny Landreth what first got him into slide guitar
Newt’s top 10 (or 20) things to do in Vancouver this week, November 27 to December 1
Dead Bob plays the Pearl r.d. cane photo By Steve Newton MONDAY TO FRIDAY: the annual Festival of Lights features 15 acres of trees, plants, and pathways adorned with over one-million twinkling lights at VanDusen Botanical Garden. MONDAY & WEDNESDAY TO FRIDAY: Emily Carr: A Room of Her Own, showing at the Vancouver Art Gallery … Continue reading Newt’s top 10 (or 20) things to do in Vancouver this week, November 27 to December 1
Vancouver Symphony music director Otto Tausk says he’s more Beatles than Stones
ORIGINALLY PUBLISHED ON SEPT. 8, 2021 By Steve Newton There's a whole lot of guitar heroes in the world. Beck, Page, Van Halen, Vaughan, Hendrix, Slash, Clapton—the list goes on and on. What about violin heroes, though? They're a lot harder to come by, but Otto Tausk has one. And as he explains on a call from … Continue reading Vancouver Symphony music director Otto Tausk says he’s more Beatles than Stones
The 10 best rock concerts I ever saw at Vancouver’s Pacific Coliseum in the ’80s
By Steve Newton Before GM Place became the home of the Vancouver Canucks in 1995--then changed its name to Rogers Arena in 2010--the Pacific Coliseum was the place to see arena-rock shows in Vancouver. As a music-obsessed teenager in the '70s I made the 80-minute drive from Chilliwack to see my first big shows at … Continue reading The 10 best rock concerts I ever saw at Vancouver’s Pacific Coliseum in the ’80s
Newt’s top 10 (or 20) things to do in Vancouver this weekend, November 24 to 26
The Vancouver Vinyl Record Show is at Heritage Hall By Steve Newton FRIDAY: the Toddcast Podcast presents the Blue Light Sessions featuring local hard-rock power trios La Chinga and Worse at Blue Light Studio. FRIDAY: Vancouver blues singer-guitarist Steve Kozak performs with keyboardist Peter Van Deursen, bassist Trevor Newman, and drummer Darrell Mayes at Frankie's … Continue reading Newt’s top 10 (or 20) things to do in Vancouver this weekend, November 24 to 26
The 10 best rock concerts I ever saw at Vancouver’s BC Place Stadium
By Steve Newton Vancouver has been all abuzz lately after the Rolling Stones announced that the only Canadian date on its 2024 North American tour will be a show at the city's downtown stadium, BC Place, on July 5. Even local politicians got in on the act, with Mayor Ken Sim recording a welcoming message … Continue reading The 10 best rock concerts I ever saw at Vancouver’s BC Place Stadium
Hey old farts like me: the American Association of Retired Persons is bringing the Rolling Stones to Vancouver
By Steve Newton Oh man, it sure pays to be an old fart these days. Especially if you want to see the Rolling Stones in concert. The legendary British rock group--currently composed of 80-year-old singer Mick Jagger and guitarists Keith Richards (79) and Ronnie Wood (76)--announced today that it will undertake a 16-city North American … Continue reading Hey old farts like me: the American Association of Retired Persons is bringing the Rolling Stones to Vancouver
Newt’s top 10 (or 20) things to do in Vancouver this week, November 20 to 24
Scott Smith plays the Painted Ship tom paille photo By Steve Newton MONDAY: the red-hot Vancouver Canucks take on the San Jose Sharks in National Hockey League acti0n at Rogers Arena. MONDAY TO WEDNESDAY: screenings at the VIFF Centre of director Nick Broomfield's new documentary The Stones and Brian Jones, which explores the musical genius … Continue reading Newt’s top 10 (or 20) things to do in Vancouver this week, November 20 to 24
The Newt is psyched that bits of his old Gord Downie interviews will be heard in the Tragically Hip’s Amazon Prime docuseries
By Steve Newton Looking back on my over 40 years as a music writer, there's one thing that I did pretty consistently that I'm really, really happy about. I kept almost all of the cassette tapes I used to record my interviews. I mean, I never thought, while I was recording my phone conversation with … Continue reading The Newt is psyched that bits of his old Gord Downie interviews will be heard in the Tragically Hip’s Amazon Prime docuseries
10 memorable concerts at 10 lost but unforgotten Vancouver venues
By Steve Newton As a freelance music writer in Vancouver since 1982, I've seen a lotta concerts. Most of the arena shows I reviewed took place at the Pacific Coliseum, until the Vancouver Canucks found a new home downtown in 1995 at GM Place, which was renamed Rogers Arena in 2010. But I wasn't just … Continue reading 10 memorable concerts at 10 lost but unforgotten Vancouver venues
Newt’s top 10 (or 15) things to do in Metro Vancouver this weekend, November 17 to 19
The Canucks play the Kraken By Steve Newton FRIDAY: Montreal electro-pop singer-songwriter Charlotte Cardin plays the Commodore Ballroom, with guests New West from Toronto. SOLD OUT. FRIDAY: Steely Dan tribute band Steelin' in the Years plays Port Moody's Inlet Theatre, with guests Blues Hoodoo. FRIDAY: eight-piece Vancouver band Zappostrophe' performs the music of Frank Zappa … Continue reading Newt’s top 10 (or 15) things to do in Metro Vancouver this weekend, November 17 to 19