The Best Shows Hitting Vancouver March 2014

Lady Antebellum at the Pacific Coliseum – March 10

Hillary Scott, Charles Kelley and Dave Haywood make up the trio that is Lady Antebellum, arguably the most successful country-pop group of recent years. The Nashville band has released five studio albums to date, almost all of which have been certified platinum and have earned them countless numbers of accolades including Grammy Awards, Billboard Music Awards, American Music Awards and many more. The talented country stars return to Vancouver on March 10 to perform all of their hit songs, including “Need You Now.” Fellow country musicians Kip Moore and Kacey Musgraves will start out the night’s entertainment. Tickets available through Ticketleader.

Mounties at The Commodore Ballroom – March 21

The Mounties are probably the kind of band that would cringe at the word “supergroup,” but that is exactly what you have when you combine the talent of Canadian songwriters Hawksley Workman, Steve Bays and Ryan Dahle. All are successful performers in their own right: Workman as a Toronto solo artist, Bays as the frontman of Victoria’s Hot Hot Heat and Dahle as the frontman of Vancouver’s Limblifter. Together they are creating some of the most Canadian-sounding indie rock songs in recent memory (namely, “Headphones” and “If This Dance Catches On”). Promoting their freshly released debut album, Thrash Rock Legacy, the trio will take The Commodore Ballroom stage on March 21. Tickets available throught Ticketmaster.

James Vincent McMorrow at The Rio Theatre – March 21

Fresh off the early 2014 release of his critically-acclaimed sophomore album, Post Tropical, Irish songwriter James Vincent McMorrow is paying Vancouver a much-anticipated visit this month. While his 2010 debut, Early in the Morning, was predominantly a folky affair, its follow-up branches out into new territory, adding the use of pianos, horns and electronic drums. Combined with McMorrow’s soothing falsetto (which often draws comparisons to Justin Vernon of Bon Iver), the result is hauntingly gorgeous songs that tug at even the toughest of heartstrings. Victoria-based rising star Aidan Knight will open up the evening with his similarly dreamy tunes. Get your tickets here.

Shane Koyczan at The Chan Centre For Performing Arts – March 26

Canadian spoken word artist Shane Koyczan got his start performing at open mic nights at Café Deux Soleils on Commercial Drive over a decade ago. After much perseverance, he got his big break in 2010 when he was invited to perform his piece “We Are More” at the Vancouver Olympics Opening Ceremony. He is probably best known for “To This Day,” an anti-bullying song and video campaign that went viral last year and currently sits at over 12 million views. On March 26, Koyczan will perform these pieces and more at UBC’s Chan Centre for the Performing Arts, with a first show at 12 p.m. and a second at 6:30 p.m. Tickets available through Ticketmaster.

Phillip Phillips at Rogers Arena – March 28

While the majority of past winners of American Idol have predictably faded into obscurity, the show’s 2012 winner Phillip Phillips appears to only be moving onwards and upwards. To date, the 23-year-old singer-songwriter from Georgia had two major hit singles with “Home” (the best-selling coronation song by any Idol alum) and “Gone, Gone, Gone,” both of which almost anyone should be familiar with if they spend any time in grocery stores or malls. Phillips plays his first concert in Vancouver on March 28 at Rogers Arena. Tickets available through Ticketmaster.

Kings Of Leon at Rogers Arena – March 30

Nashville’s Kings of Leon took the world by storm in 2008 following the release of their fourth album, Only by the Night. For nearly a year, you couldn’t go anywhere without hearing their hit singles “Sex on Fire” or “Use Somebody.” The Followills (three brothers and one cousin) have continued to steadily release albums, the latest being last year’s Mechanical Bull, which they are currently on tour in support of. As long as pigeons aren’t defecating on them (like their infamous incident in St. Louis last year), Kings of Leon are guaranteed to put on a solid rock show. The band will take the stage at Rogers Arena on March 30 with support from L.A. indie rock group Local Natives. Tickets available through Ticketmaster.

London Grammar at The Commodore Ballroom – March 31

London Grammar is a trip-hop trio from – you guessed it – London. Since mysteriously creeping their way onto the scene at the end of 2012 with the haunting single “Hey Now,” the group has been endlessly showered with critical praise. Lead singer Hannah Reid’s vocals have been likened to Florence Welch, and rightfully so, as Reid’s voice possesses the same strong, soaring qualities as those of the Florence and the Machine frontwoman. Touring to support their debut full-length album, If You Wait, London Grammar is performing at the Commodore Ballroom on March 31. Tickets available through Ticketmaster.

Grammy winners, American Idol alum and spoken word artists will be taking the stage in Vancouver this March