The Best Shows Hitting Vancouver February 2018

This month, an Idol alum hits the valley, KatyCats take over Rogers Arena and more

1. Katy Perry at Rogers Arena – Monday, February 5 and Tuesday, February 6

If you can’t wait until March to check out her judging skills on ABC’s rebooted version of American Idol, you can lay down some cash now to catch Katy Perry as she roars into town for two nearly sold-out performances. And while it may be true that these shows will occur in the days following Super Bowl, there’s an extremely low probability the California Gurl will haul out the dancing sharks (or any other sort of jitterbugging marine life, for that matter). At least we can rely on B.C.’s very own pop cutie—and Canadian Idol alum—Carly Rae Jepsen to open both nights of this spectacle.
Tickets for Monday and Tuesday from $50.50

2. Hedley at Abbotsford Centre – Monday, February 5

On the topic of Canadian Idol (No, sorry, we don’t know where Ryan Malcolm is either), season two fan-favourite Jacob Hoggard revisits his hometown with crowd-pleasing outfit Hedley to promote the band’s most recent offering, Cageless. Fun fact: did you know the guys in the original Hedley lineup actually bet Hoggard $150 he wouldn’t make it past the Canadian Idol auditions? Cha-ching! Dude got his money… and then some. Join the punk-pop quartet as they rock the Valley’s preeminent place to be with an all-Canuck roster of special guests, featuring Shawn Hook and Neon Dreams.
Tickets from $39

3. Serena Ryder at Vogue Theatre – Tuesday, February 13

After taking a fair bit of time off to mend a broken heart, Canadian singer-songwriter Serena Ryder returns with her latest release, Electric Love. Written and recorded over the span of three years in Nashville, Los Angeles, Toronto and London, the new EP covers a wide spectrum of emotions and realities for Ryder, and I’m sure she’s quite enthused to share her new music with her adoring fans. Don’t miss your chance to see the multiple Juno Award-winning songstress perform in downtown’s intimate soft-seater while you can still score a ticket.
Tickets $49.50

4. Sabaton, Kreator & CyHra at Vogue Theatre – Wednesday, February 14

What could be more romantic than taking your sweetie to see Sabaton on Valentine’s Day? What? No? So maybe it’s not considered all that romantic, but perhaps you could just go with glorious instead? Whatever, the Swedish power metal titans will march into town with some pretty sturdy support in the form of heavy-hitters Kreator and CyHra (Metal’s newest supergroup, featuring former members of In Flames, Amaranthe, Rhapsody and Annihilator). Who needs roses and chocolates anyway? Metal is forever!
Tickets $40

5. The Sheepdogs at Commodore Ballroom – Thursday, February 15 and Friday, February 16

When The Sheepdogs first burst onto the scene back in 2011 with their radio-friendly hit “I Don’t Know,” I just figured it was an unreleased Guess Who track. Cool in a sort of retro-vibey kind of way, and I suppose it’s not entirely a bad thing. But, really, it felt like I’d already been there back in the ’70s. That feeling didn’t stop hordes of people from completely losing their minds over these guys. I think the thing that gets me is all the talk about their “signature sound.” Sure, but that signature has been forged off the paycheques already endorsed by Bachman and Cummings. Be that as it may, the Saskatoon quintet will headline two practically sold-out nights at the Commodore. So grab a ticket quickly before déjà vu fully sets in.
Tickets for Thursday and Friday $38.75

6. Avenged Sevenfold at Pacific Coliseum – Saturday, February 17

If you were lucky enough to see Metallica at B.C. Place last summer, you might’ve been treated to a supporting set by Avenged Sevenfold. I use the term treated loosely as they were admittedly not quite as enthralling as France’s magnifique opener Gojira. However, I will concede they were slightly more entertaining than the addition of bizarro-world DJ Mix Master Mike. Whose absurd idea was that? All that aside, if you’re itching to get your early-2000s alt-metal trip on, this is the gig for you as A7X will be joined by wallet chain demographic cohorts Breaking Benjamin and Bullet for My Valentine.
Tickets from $49.50

7. The Jim Cuddy Band at Vogue Theatre – Thursday, February 22

Of all the class acts Canada has offered up to the world in the past few decades, Blue Rodeo has got to be one of the all-time greatest comfort bands out there. I mean that in a good way, as comfort here does not indicate complacency as it does for so many other performers that came out of the ’80s (I would provide examples, but this isn’t the time or place to start something). In this case, it signifies a place I can go to feel safe and welcome. So, when Blue Rodeo’s co-founder Jim Cuddy decides to make good use of his friends and family discount by employing a good buddy (local favourite Barney Bentall) and his two sons (Devin and Sam) to head out on a cross-Canada tour, it’s almost an invitation to curl up on the sofa with a cozy blanket and a hot cup of cocoa. You just have to actually get out of the house and be around other people. Trust me, it’ll be worth it.
Tickets from $53.50