The Best Shows Hitting Vancouver October 2013

Take advantage of Vancouver's cultural offerings this month with these six local shows featuring independant musical acts at exceptional venues.

From folky to funky, check out these musical acts playing shows in Vancouver this month

Fall is prime touring season for musicians and October always seems to bring an abundance of artists to Vancouver’s finest venues. Ranging from quiet solo songwriters to sassy ladies who can rock, here are some of the most promising shows around town this month that are well worth the price of admission.

Lucy Rose at The Media Club – October 16

Fresh off an American tour with Canadian favourite City and Colour, English songwriter Lucy Rose comes to Vancouver to support her debut album, Like I Used To. Deemed “one of indie music’s breakout stars” by Vogue magazine, the 24-year-old writes folky songs of heartbreak, but always with a hint of optimism. Instead of the standard merchandise and CDs, she sells her own brand of tea at her shows.

The Avett Brothers at The Orpheum Theatre – October 17

Brothers Seth and Scott Avett have been making music together since they were in their mother’s womb (OK, maybe not that early). They released their debut album as The Avett Brothers 10 years ago and have been winning over fans since with their twangy Americana tunes ever since. The Avetts are known for their enthusiastic live performances featuring the banjo, double bass and cello. If you missed out on tickets to the Mumford & Sons concert in May, this show might help soothe the pain.

KT Tunstall at The Rio Theatre – October 17

Hailing from Scotland, solo songwriter KT Tunstall already has a BRIT award for Best British Female Solo Artist under her belt, as well as nominations for a Grammy and the prestigious Mercury Prize. Her latest album, Invisible Empire/Crescent Moon, is much darker than her previous records as it deals with loss and mortality following a divorce from her husband and the death of her father. Still, KT knows how to play a mean guitar and is sure to bring the crowd at The Rio Theatre to its feet.

Joe Pug at Electric Owl – October 18

Chicago’s Joe Pug is a theatre-kid-turned-student-playwright-turned-songwriter. After picking up an acoustic guitar for the first time since he was a teenager, Pug suddenly found folk-country songs flowing out of him and dropped out of university to instead pursue music. Joe plays his earnest Bob Dylan-esque songs both solo acoustic and with a full band, often filling time between songs with his most charming stories. If you enjoy solid songwriting with some banjo, harmonica and slide guitar thrown in for good measure, then this is the show for you.

Credit: Flickr/ Haim

Haim at The Commodore Ballroom – October 24

Este, Danielle and Alana Haim are three sisters from Los Angeles who have been creating a buzz since the release of their first EP early last year. Described as “nu-folk-meets-nineties-R&B” (think a mixture of Fleetwood Mac and TLC), the young women have managed to create their own genre within the pop-osphere. Their debut album, Days Are Gone, was just released at the end of last month and went straight to No. 1 on the U.K. albums chart. All the hype surrounding Haim means that this show is already sold out, but be sure to catch these talented women next time they roll through town.

Laura Marling at The Rio Theatre – October 25

At a mere 23 years old, English folk singer Laura Marling already has four full-length albums to her name, three of which have been nominated for the Mercury Prize. Her voice and songwriting abilities have often been compared to those of Joni Mitchell’s — no small feat by any means. With lyrics wise and thoughtful beyond her years and an unassuming stage presence, her concert at The Rio Theatre is sure to please all in attendance.