Fringe Review

The city’s preeminent acceptance-movement model, Dogecon Vancouver, recently celebrated its second expression aimed at empowering humanity through conscious Decentralization.

Vancouver icon and Canadian rock music legend Bryan Adams was once again "Waking Up the Neighbours" around Rogers Arena Wednesday night. He presented his Ultimate Tour, hot on the heels of his first Canadian date in Victoria.

Melbourne, Australia’s Tash Sultana has been selling out venues around the world since making a name for herself busking in her hometown. She recording her soul-fueled music in her bedroom, posting to YouTube. Thursday night’s performance at Stanley Park’s Malkin Bowl sold out in just four days and with the help of local singer-songwriter Jesse Roper, the “one-woman band” kicked off Vancouver’s outdoor concert season with a magical presentation.

Legendary American singer-songwriter, activist and actor Paul Simon kicked off his farewell pilgrimage at Vancouver’s Rogers Arena Wednesday night. Moreover, while the Homeward Bound tour’s production crew may have looked at the first show of a four-month-long stint on the road as a rough draft, Simon and his 15-person band were in tremendous form during the 25-song trip down memory lane.

Pro Era giant Joey Bada$$ brought his Amerikkkana Tour to Vancouver’s 77-year-old Vogue Theatre Saturday night with a dominant three-act bill that included Brooklyn rapper Chuck Strangers as well as Boogie out of Compton.

The Flatbush Zombies invaded Vancouver for the first time in four years Friday night, bringing with them the magnetic stage show the three-piece has built its reputation on with their steadily growing legions of supporters. Meechy Darko, Zombie Juice, and Erick the Architect have carved out a menacing distinction for having high-energy performances over the years. However, even the most obstreperous of Zombie loyalists were taken aback at just how intense the Beast Coast rappers show has become.

Fans of Rod Stewart were “Having a Party” Tuesday nigh,t and though rock n’ roll may be in fact dead, Rod the Mod gave us all a “Reason to Believe” by delivering hit after infectious hit to a sold-out Rogers Arena. Sure, the legend out of North London skipped over both of the aforementioned singles. However, after 57 years of performing, it is abundantly clear that not an ounce of charm or style has escaped the 73-year-old who still knows how to thoroughly entertain a full house.

Toronto’s preeminent experimental jazz meets free-style improvisation hip-hop quartet BADBADNOTGOOD was in town for two sold-out nights of their Canada Spring Tour in VanCity, the latter of which impressively packed Venue Nightclub and on a Monday night.

One of the nation’s favourite bands is on tour with some of our province’s most promising talent and Thursday night (March 1) marked night one of a back-to-back sold-out affair for their combined tour at our city’s Commodore Ballroom. Metchosin, BC’s Jesse Roper has joined Toronto’s Big Wreck around the halfway point of the In Loving Memory Of Tour, in support of Ian Thornley and company’s 20-year anniversary of the band’s debut album.

Like a modern-day Don Rickles, Jim Norton can get away with saying all of the things the rest of us can not. Even better than just getting away with openly talking about the most taboo aspects of our culture, Norton manages to continually fill rooms and venues to capacity with people in stitches along for Norton’s weird ride. Friday night at the Vogue Theatre marked not only the first Jim Norton performance in our city but also the comic’s first JFL NorthWest appearance.

There is smooth, and then there is Miguel. He is just a handful of dates into his War & Leisure Tour, and already it is a profound understatement to say the Los Angeles resident is in regular season form. Hell, Miguel is making a strong case for playoff MVP with just five of his scheduled 35 tour dates under his tasselled belt.