The Best Shows Hitting Vancouver September 2021

From Canadian rockers to ’90s nostalgia, it’s all happening this month

*Due to present circumstances surrounding COVID-19, all event statuses are subject to change. Please check for updates.

1. The Sheepdogs at Malkin Bowl – Friday, September 3

Had enough of tuning in to those dry livestream events from your couch? I mean, was the last 18 months not the longest two weeks ever? Need to get out to a genuinely live show? Fear not, because everyone’s favourite Guess Who-rubber stampers The Sheepdogs will kick off the first gig of Malkin Bowl’s 2021 concert season. Although this Saskatoon blues-rock quintet has been in existence since 2004, it was a decade ago when they shot to fame after becoming the first unsigned band to appear on the cover of Rolling Stone. Accounting for that somewhat dubious honour, they’ve mined a sizeable following in those hungry for some retrofitted vibes, so aficionados of that particular ilk should be pretty stoked to catch these guys (because, you know, Bachman Cummings had to postpone their June show at Rogers Arena, so this’ll have to suffice). And while you’re at it, pick up their brand spankin’ new EP, No Simple Thing, on vinyl. Yes, vinyl–because no self-respecting hipster should be streaming this thing.
Tickets from $56

2. Marianas Trench at Malkin Bowl – Saturday, September 18

Vancouver’s pop-punk darlings Marianas Trench are getting themselves primed to play some upcoming UK and Australian dates in the fall and running into late 2022, but right now, a hometown gig is where they want to be. After shaking off the dust with their first proper live performance of the year at the Calgary Stampede in July, it’ll be a sweet homecoming for these guys to check into Stanley Park on a (hopefully) warm summer night to pound down some favourites alongside tracks from their newest spinner Phantoms. (If you’re noticing a venue trend here, we can only surmise that Malkin Bowl is holding some sort of back to school sale on concerts. We’re not complaining as long as Mother Nature smiles upon us with one last breath of sunshine for the season.)
Tickets from $72

3. ’90s Nostalgia: Electric Circus Edition at Abbotsford Centre – Monday, September 20

I’ve got to admit, I was pretty excited to see there was going to be a ’90s Nostalgia tour in the works. The image of Alice in Chains headlining a night featuring Candlebox, Alanis Morissette and The Watchmen was where I was going with this grandiose festival dream. Alas, I clicked on the link and discovered I could not have been more mistaken. It’s apparent I lived in a completely different space-time continuum because the nostalgia gods have determined that the favoured “music” emblematic of the final decade of the 20th century was actually spearheaded by Aqua, Jenny from Ace of Base, Vengaboys, Eiffel 65, 2 Unlimited  and Haddaway. Clearly, this is not how I remember the 1990s, but perhaps it suits you if you ever considered yourself a Barbie girl in a Barbie world.
Tickets from $56

4. Migos at PNE Forum – Friday, September 24

Pegged as “The Beatles of this generation” by Donald Glover, Georgia trio Migos will be tapping the Forum with their “bad and boujee” vibes. Over a dozen gold and platinum singles and two multi-platinum albums set the standard for an outfit that’s proven themselves to be one of the greatest rap groups of the modern era, and with the final instalment of their Culture trilogy at the ready, they’ll be shifting the general perception of what hip-hop is all about. Don’t delay, get your tickets now because the time is ripe to get your “Versace” on and head out to the PNE for an evening of head-dropped arm-bent dab.
Tickets from $88.50