The Best Shows Hitting Vancouver April 2018

Rod the Mod and Finland's finest are just two of the amazing acts coming to town this month

Rod the Mod and Finland’s finest are just two of the amazing acts coming to town this month

1. Shinedown at Abbotsford Centre – Friday, April 6

Considering they’ve only been in existence since the dawn of the new millennium, it’s interesting to note that Shinedown have sold over 10 million albums worldwide, a fair accomplishment in this age of streaming and torrent thievery. It’s also notable they’ve placed 11 number one singles on the Billboard Mainstream Rock charts, seating them third behind Van Halen and… umm… Three Days Grace? (Sorry, but I’ve gotta admit that one took me by surprise!) Catch the Floridian alt-rockers as they descend upon Abby’s former hockey hut to headline a quadruple bill featuring In This Moment, One Bad Son and 10 Years.
Tickets from $29

2. Nightwish at Queen Elizabeth Theatre – Saturday, April 7

Get yourself over to the QE to check out Finland’s revered symphonic metal force Nightwish as they celebrate their 20th anniversary on the Decades: World Tour. What makes this particular outing so special is that they intend to add some new twists to their one-off setlist, featuring rarely heard material from way back in the day. As an extra cool bonus—on the night of the show—every single ticket holder in the house will receive a copy of their new double disc compilation, Decades. I’m not talking just a fluffy little download code here. This is a for-reals physical product that you can actually hold in your hands and treasure for years to come! Just look at the price of the ticket and tell me this isn’t a smokin’ hot deal.
Tickets from $38

3. Jonathan Davis at Commodore Ballroom – Monday, April 9

Best known as vocalist and bagpipe dude for mainstream nü-metal poster peeps, Korn, Jonathan Davis takes time out from fronting his inexplicably popular band (where he sings about whatever it is that makes him bitter) to do his own thing. In this case, doing his own thing means singing about whatever makes him bitter in a new rock ballad titled “What It Is.” What it is… supposedly… is a precursor to a new solo album that may or may not be released this summer. OK, you do you, Jon… or JD… or JDevil or whatever you want to go by today. I’ll just be over here washing my hair or getting a root canal or something.
Tickets from $46

4. Rod Stewart at Rogers Arena – Tuesday, April 10

If you’re not into taking a trip to Vegas (Are you dead inside?!?) to catch his ongoing residency at Caesars Palace, you can throw down some cash to see Rod Stewart perform in our town instead. At 73 years young, Sir Rod the Mod has been pretty good at doing this singing thing since way back in 1961, selling over 100 million records worldwide—and collecting his fair share of models along the way. Whether you love his blue-eyed soul classics, you feel like dancing to “Do Ya Think I’m Sexy?” or you simply want to hear his raspy take on the Great American Songbook, this two-time Rock and Roll Hall of Fame inductee offers something for the whole family. Speaking of family, you should really consider helping the guy out by buying a ticket as he has about 147 kids and exes to keep watered and fed.
Tickets from $49

5. Amanda Palmer at Vogue Theatre – Wednesday, April 11

The multi-faceted and always fabulous punk-cabaret superstar Amanda Palmer is back with her annual Ninja TED Benefit, and this year’s fete promises “so many special guests your head will fall off!” If you’re unfamiliar with the genius that is the AFP, pick up her book, The Art of Asking, and then go ahead and ask yourself if you’re not motivated to create art and do something to make this world a better place. Past Ninja shows have featured random musicians, artists, celebrities, Palmer’s hubby (and my all-time favourite author, in case you were drafting up your Christmas list early this year) Neil Gaiman and even a certain Canadian guitar-playing astronaut you might be familiar with. Quite frankly, you never know who’s gonna show up… and that’s half the fun. As in previous years, proceeds for this event will benefit the Greater Vancouver Food Bank. Scoop up a ticket quick as this is a guaranteed sellout.
Tickets $19.99

6. Sloan at Imperial – Friday, April 20

Everyone’s favourite Haligonian power-pop quartet (’cause there are so many to choose from!) Sloan hits VanCity for one night only. As always, it will be a show that is not to be missed. If you’ve never caught these mop-topped wonders in a live setting, I recommend you motivate yourself out to Chinatown’s most plush venue where you will witness these multi-talented musicians switching up their instruments at will. I promise, you will not be underwhelmed. And if you’re close enough to the frontline, you may just get invited onstage and handed Chris Murphy’s bass where you will become an integral part of the performance. This gig will all go down only days after the release of their aptly-titled twelfth album, 12. Good timing and a great reminder to get out there and buy new music whenever you possibly can. Support our Canadian artists and they will continue to love you back.
Tickets $35