5 concerts to check out for December 2014

Dec 19 2017, 8:59 pm

The dark rainy season is upon us in Vancouver, but at concert venues, things are heating up. December has many Canadian and major international talent dropping into town for live shows. Secure your tickets, and warm up with music fans at one of these hot December concerts.

Rufus Wainwright

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After releasing a best of compilation album earlier this year entitled Vibrate: The Best of Rufus Wainwright, the singer-songwriter embarked on his latest tour, similarly called The Best of Rufus Wainwright. The Montreal raised, Juno-award winner has been performing since the late 80’s, and has released seven studio albums since. Often described as “operatic pop” or “contemporary pop”, Wainwright’s voice is unforgettable. Catch him this month in an intimate setting at the Vogue Theatre.

Rufus Wainwright

  • When: Sunday, December 7 at 7 p.m.
  • Where: The Vogue Theatre – 918 Granville Street
  • Tickets: Available at Northern Tickets for $49.95 (Reserved seating/All Ages)

Mother Mother

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Touring their latest release “Very Good Bad Thing,” Vancouver’s Mother Mother are back to play their home city this month as a last stop on their Canadian tour. The indie rockers, who are originally from Quadra Island, are known for their high-energy and upbeat tunes.

Mother Mother is no stranger to the stage; the band has played many music festivals, and is currently headlining their cross-Canada tour (even played two back-to-back dates in Toronto’s Danforth Music Hall in November). Guitarist and vocalist Ryan Guldemond and his band are talented and charismatic, and not to miss this month.

Mother Mother with USS

  • When: Saturday, December 13 at 7:30 p.m.
  • Where: Orpheum Theatre – 601 Smithe Street
  • Tickets: Available at Ticketmaster and ranges between $41 to $53 (Reserved seating)

Phantogram

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Although they may seem like some new kids on the block, Phantogram has been in the electronic indie scene for a while now. The New Yorkers released their second studio album Voices earlier this year, and their hit single “Fall in Love” peaked on several indie charts and music blogs. Phantogram has played some of the major music festivals including Coachella, Sasquatch and Lollapalooza, and are in Vancouver this month to play a sold-out show at the Vogue.

If you’re in Victoria on December 15, check them out at Sugar Nightclub.

Phantogram

  • When: Sunday, December 14 at 7 p.m.
  • Where: The Vogue Theatre – 918 Granville Street
  • Tickets: Sold-out

Contact Festival

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Blueprint’s annual winter music festival takes over BC Place for its third year, and is running as a two-day event. Headliners this year include Armin Van Buuren and Zedd, with support from W&W, Morgan Page, What So Not and Nervo (among many others). This year’s Contact Festival will include a second, tented outdoor stage.

The festival is all ages and takes place over Boxing Day weekend. This is definitely the dance festival you need after Christmas Day.

Contact 2014

  • When: Friday, December 26 and Saturday, December 27 at 5 p.m.
  • Where: BC Place Stadium – 777 Pacific Blvd.
  • Tickets: Very limited tickets available at Contact Festival

Current Swell

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If the West Coast had a soundtrack, these guys would be on it. The indie folk Victoria natives Current Swell are back with a new album Ulysses, which was produced in Vancouver. You may remember Current Swell from their first place title at The Peak Performance Project in 2011. They have since sold-out headlining tours in Brazil and Europe, and are back in the West Coast for some home performances. They play one last 2014 show in Vancouver this month with Jon and Roy.

Current Swell

  • When: Sunday, December 28 at 8 p.m.
  • Where: Commodore Ballroom – 868 Granville Street.
  • Tickets: $35 and available at Ticketmaster (19+)

 

Feature image: Contact Festival/Blueprint

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