JP Maurice's Cover Up for the Planet @ Biltmore Cabaret -- 10/07/15

October 12, 2015 by Kirk Hamilton in live shows, Show Review

It seems like fundraising cover nights at the Biltmore are all the rage right now. After a couple of nights in the past few months organised by David Vertesi for SingItFwd, it was JP Maurice's turn, as he presented his Peak Performance Project fundraiser, Cover Up For The Planet, "a celebration of Vancouver's music for Creatively United for the Planet."

With an all star backing band consisting of JP himself as well as Conner John Tkach on guitar, Marcus Abrams on bass, Will Watson on drums, and Owen Connell on keys, they were joined by a bevy of Vancouver musicians covering... well, other Vancouver musicians. Many times, people they were sharing the stage with that very night.

Which I will say off the top, was probably my only "gripe" about the evening. At parts it seemed a little self-indulgent or self-congratulatory (for lack of better terms). It was a very enjoyable night, don't get me wrong, but aside from a few exceptions, a lot of the songs chosen were from within the same "scene". I know JP said on stage it was a celebration of the music community, but I kind of wish they had spread a little further out to the dozens of amazing Vancouver bands.

That being said, it was the first night they were doing this, and especially impressive that the backing band was coming together in a short time to learn that many songs, so I am certainly not holding it against them. That one minor annoyance didn't take away from how fun the night was, and how neat the concept can be.

Click through to see some of my personal highlights from the show, as well as pictures of the whole night from Christine McAvoy:

The Protomen @ Biltmore -- 08/27/15

August 29, 2015 by Kirk Hamilton in Show Review

When I first heard about The Protomen, about a year ago, I was more than a little intrigued. A band that performs rock operas loosely based on the Mega Man universe? Nicely tying up my love of concept albums and/or rock operas with my lifelong gaming habit? Of course I want to check them out.
Well, just ahead of the release of Act III of their trilogy, and no doubt in correlation with PAX being this weekend in Seattle, the Nashville band returned to Vancouver.

The curtain at the Biltmore opened to a single man on stage, K.I.L.R.O.Y., wearing a silver, robotic mask. He psyched the crowd up, claiming they were not here to rock, they were here to fight, and asked who would fight with them. Everyone in the sold-out room raised their fists as K.I.L.R.O.Y. whipped the crowd into a frenzy, all before the band even took the stage, let alone a single note was played.
The rest of the band hit the stage, clad mostly in black, some in silver facepaint, and lead singer Raul Panther front and centre with aviator shades on. The sunglasses were part of his subtle "costume changes", usually representing which character in the narrative is singing. Like during "The Will of One" when he donned a helmet reminiscent of Mega Man's classic headgear.

Khatsalano Street Party @ West 4th Ave -- 07/11/15

July 12, 2015 by Kirk Hamilton in Festival Recap, Show Review

For the fifth year running, the Khatsahlano Street Party shut down ten blocks of West 4th Ave here in Vancouver for the city's largest free music & arts festival. With a half dozen stages, there were over fifty bands playing throughout the day, as well as activities throughout, and hundreds of vendors lining the streets.

Click through for a rundown of the day, including sets from Louise Burns, Hot Panda, Yukon Blonde, and Peak Performance Project acts Windmills, JP Maurice, and Chersea!