By Steve Newton The name of Vancouver's major downtown hockey and concert venue was changed from GM Place to Rogers Arena in July of 2010, and two months later I was rockin' out with Aerosmith at the newly-christened joint. I've seen a few other decent shows at Rogers Arena since then as well. Iron Maiden, … Continue reading The 10 best rock concerts I ever saw at Vancouver’s Rogers Arena
Category: vancouver concerts
Newt’s top 10 (or 15) things to do in Vancouver this weekend, December 15 to 17
La Chinga plays Keithmas XIV By Steve Newton FRIDAY: late-night screening at the Rio Theatre of director Bob Clark's 1974 Canadian slasher flick, Black Christmas, starring Olivia Hussey. FRIDAY AND SATURDAY: Liven UP--Coal Harbour is a free, family-friendly event that will see lighting installations, artists, musicians, and storytellers along a walk from Canada Place to … Continue reading Newt’s top 10 (or 15) things to do in Vancouver this weekend, December 15 to 17
The 15 best rock concerts I ever saw at Vancouver’s GM Place
jeff vinnick photo By Steve Newton When the Vancouver Canucks moved their home rink from East Vancouver's Pacific Coliseum to downtown's GM Place in 1995, "the Garage" became the main place to see arena-rock shows in the city--at least until the name was changed to Rogers Arena in 2010. During that 15-year period I saw … Continue reading The 15 best rock concerts I ever saw at Vancouver’s GM Place
The 10 best rock concerts I ever saw at Vancouver’s Pacific Coliseum in the ’90s
By Steve Newton Last week I posted a blog about the ten best rock concerts I ever saw at the Pacific Coliseum in the 1980s. Well, I saw a few decent shows at the Coliseum in the '90s too. Here's 10 of my faves: Aerosmith, October 25, 1997 from the newt's collection At the climax … Continue reading The 10 best rock concerts I ever saw at Vancouver’s Pacific Coliseum in the ’90s
Newt’s top 10 Vancouver concerts in December
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
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
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
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
10 unforgettable concerts at the Commodore Ballroom in Vancouver
By Steve Newton The Commodore Ballroom used to be the place to rock in Vancouver. As a kid growing up in Chilliwack in the '70s, some of the best moments of my life involved cruising into the big city to see acts like Tom Petty and the Heartbreakers, KISS, Sammy Hagar, and Molly Hatchet rip … Continue reading 10 unforgettable concerts at the Commodore Ballroom in Vancouver
Trumpet-blasting Painters & Dockers make like the Pogues on speed in Vancouver
kevin statham photo ORIGINALLY PUBLISHED ON DEC. 8, 1989 By Steve Newton If you ever thought the trumpet was somewhat of a nerdy high-school instrument--right up there with the clarinet--then you should have been at the Town Pump last Thursday (November 30). Australia's Painters & Dockers features two trumpet players--"the Brassholes"--who use their horns as … Continue reading Trumpet-blasting Painters & Dockers make like the Pogues on speed in Vancouver
Annihilator tones down the thrash on new CD but still cranks up the heat on stage
ORIGINALLY PUBLISHED ON AUG. 6, 1993 By Steve Newton Last Saturday night (July 31) wasn't Vancouver's warmest evening on record, but the heat inside the Lunatic Fringe sure made you wonder. The club's air-conditioning had broken down two nights before, so management lugged out a couple of huge fans to keep the temperature down, but … Continue reading Annihilator tones down the thrash on new CD but still cranks up the heat on stage
King Swamp rises from the ashes of Shriekback to rock out in Vancouver
chris cameron photo ORIGINALLY PUBLISHED ON JULY 28, 1989 By Steve Newton Artsy, esoteric types who went to see King Swamp because it features former members of Shriekback may have been surprised at 86 Street last Friday (July 21). Anyone expecting to hear music that resembles Shriekback's atmospheric soundscapes would have been taken aback by … Continue reading King Swamp rises from the ashes of Shriekback to rock out in Vancouver
Newcomers Babylon A.D. bring ear-splitting hard rock from the land of Metallica
ORIGINALLY PUBLISHED ON NOV. 10, 1989 By Steve Newton It was an ear-shattering ol' time down at the Metro Tuesday night. Volume maniacs were in their glory, along with those people who don't enjoy talking while the band's on. No one would have heard them anyway--Oakland's Babylon A.D. made sure of that. A new hard-rock … Continue reading Newcomers Babylon A.D. bring ear-splitting hard rock from the land of Metallica