By Steve Newton Yesterday Aerosmith announced that, due to singer Steven Tyler's vocal injury, the band will "retire from the touring stage." That's sad news for me, because Aerosmith concerts have been a big part of my life. When I was still a teenager I made the trek from Chilliwack, B.C. to Seattle, Washington with … Continue reading Aerosmith is retiring from the road, so I’m sure glad I reviewed the bad boys from Boston seven times
Category: vancouver concerts
The Rolling Stones’ pricey Vancouver gig rekindles memories of seeing them four times for free
By Steve Newton The Rolling Stones play Vancouver's BC Place tonight (July 5), but I'm not going. It's not so much the exorbitant prices for concerts these days, or the fact that the Stones are now older than dirt. It's just that I've seen them play BC Place four times already, starting with the Steel … Continue reading The Rolling Stones’ pricey Vancouver gig rekindles memories of seeing them four times for free
That time Elton John complained about one of my concert reviews during one of his concerts
ORIGINALLY PUBLISHED ON SEPT. 17, 2014 By Steve Newton You'd think that pop legend Elton John would be beyond caring what the critics think by now, right? Well, apparently he still reads the reviews. Even before they get in the paper. I wrote a pretty damn glowing online review of the Big E's show at Rogers Arena … Continue reading That time Elton John complained about one of my concert reviews during one of his concerts
The 20 most memorable rock concerts I ever saw before becoming a music writer and getting in for free
By Steve Newton Before I started writing about music professionally and getting in to all the concerts for free I would make the 80-minute trek (70 MPH, no seatbelts) into Vancouver from my Chilliwack hometown and blow all my lawnmowing money to see my fave rock bands. I remember getting butterflies in my stomach when … Continue reading The 20 most memorable rock concerts I ever saw before becoming a music writer and getting in for free
Newt’s top 10 Vancouver concerts in June
Scott Smith and the Midnight Riders play the Shipyards By Steve Newton Spendo: Vancouver rock quintet performs tracks off its EP The Great Unknown, with guests Wise Youngblood. June 1 at the Red Room. Day of Music: a full day of free musical performances at various Vancouver locations culminates in an evening performance by the … Continue reading Newt’s top 10 Vancouver concerts in June
Storman Norm Casler gets the ocean-going party started with his CFOX Sunday Blues Cruise
not the '98 blues cruise, but a similar vibe ORIGINALLY PUBLISHED ON JULY 30, 1998 By Steve Newton There’s something about drinking cold beer in the hot sun on a big boat with a smokin’ band that just makes me a happy human. Local blues musician and impresario Norm Casler—aka Storman Norman, the host of … Continue reading Storman Norm Casler gets the ocean-going party started with his CFOX Sunday Blues Cruise
Rory Gallagher fan recalls his first-ever concert, with Rory opening for Deep Purple and Fleetwood Mac
By Steve Newton The first big concert I ever went to was T-Rex, with guests Blue Öyster Cult, at Vancouver's Pacific Coliseum on October 21, 1974. That was a killer show, and I clearly remember that B.Ö.C.--which was touring behind its stellar Secret Treaties album, the one with "Dominance and Submission"--blew poor Marc Bolan and … Continue reading Rory Gallagher fan recalls his first-ever concert, with Rory opening for Deep Purple and Fleetwood Mac
Barney Bentall comes into his own and proves easy to like at the Commodore
ORIGINALLY PUBLISHED ON NOV. 15, 1990 By Steve Newton Local rocker Barney Bentall pulled in a sizeable crowd for his second straight night at the Commodore on Friday (November 9), and he and his mates put on a pleasing if unspectacular show. Unless you’re totally turned off by Bentall’s safe, middle-of-rock’s-road intentions, the guy is quite … Continue reading Barney Bentall comes into his own and proves easy to like at the Commodore
Newt’s top 10 Vancouver concerts in April
The Black Crowes play the Orpheum By Steve Newton Shaun Verreault: Vancouver blues-rock guitarist-vocalist and Wide Mouth Mason member. April 1 at the Roxy. Schryer, Dobres & Hillhouse Trio: Canadian Celtic supergroup composed of fiddler Pierre Schryer and guitarists Adam Dobres and Andy Hillhouse. April 5 at the ACT Arts Centre. Alestorm: pirate-metal quintet from … Continue reading Newt’s top 10 Vancouver concerts in April
Newt’s top 20 Vancouver concert picks for 2024
tedeschi trucks photo by susan weiand By Steve Newton Melissa Etheridge: confessional folk-rock singer-songwriter from Kansas performs with the Vancouver Symphony Orchestra as part of her I’m Not Broken Tour. March 23 at the Orpheum Theatre. Reverend Horton Heat: psychobilly band from Dallas, Texas, featuring guitarist-vocalist Jim Heath, with guests Dale Watson and Jason D. Williams. March 26 at the Rickshaw Theatre. … Continue reading Newt’s top 20 Vancouver concert picks for 2024
Newt’s top 10 Vancouver concerts in January
Sunny War plays the Fox By Steve Newton Blues Hoodoo: jazz-funk quintet composed of guitarist Konrad Breuers, saxophonist Ian Putz, keyboardist Stuart "Stubop" Young, bassist Shawn Stewart, and drummer Ron Wells performs original tunes and covers of Chick Corea, Jeff Beck, Jaco Pastorius, Herbie Hancock, and the Brecker Brothers. January 12 at Frankie's Jazz. Johnny … Continue reading Newt’s top 10 Vancouver concerts in January
Newt’s top 10 Metro Vancouver concert picks for 2024 (so far)
The Mule plays the Vogue By Steve Newton Hey, there's more to life than Taylor Swift. Gov't Mule: blues-rock jam band featuring guitarist-vocalist Warren Haynes plays tunes from latest album Peace...Like a River. February 8 at the Vogue Theatre. Harry Manx: Salt Spring Island-based musician performs slide guitar-laced blues blended with Indian folk melodies. February … Continue reading Newt’s top 10 Metro Vancouver concert picks for 2024 (so far)
Hey Michael Schenker freaks: Coast to Coast blasts the best of UFO, MSG, and Scorps at a Surrey Food Bank benefit
By Steve Newton One of my favourite hobbies back in the '70s and early '80s was collecting LPs by bands like UFO, Scorpions, and MSG. The one thing that all three bands had in common--at one point or another--was lead guitarist Michael Schenker, whose speedy and intense yet beautifully melodic playing kept me transfixed for … Continue reading Hey Michael Schenker freaks: Coast to Coast blasts the best of UFO, MSG, and Scorps at a Surrey Food Bank benefit