Why these are the top Vancouver concerts to see in a busy July (2024)

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Festival season is in full swing, as are the mega tours that were put on hold during COVID-19. Metro Vancouver is going to be packed with choice performances in July.

Obviously, there is always a draw for those legacy acts from long ago times, with such ’60s legends as the Rolling Stones and Neil Young in town. But there is also plenty of talent from more recent decades gracing stages this month as well.

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Plus, with the weather improving, there are some great outdoor EDM-focused events to attend, too.

Here are five shows to see in July and why:

The Rolling Stones Hackney Diamonds Tour ’24

When: July 5, 8 p.m.
Where: B.C. Place
Tickets and info: From $197.50 at ticketmaster.ca

When almost all of their peers are retired or expired, core Rolling Stones members Mick Jagger, Keith Richards and Ronnie Wood keep on rocking. Hackney Diamonds, the quintet’s latest release, is getting some of the best reviews for any new music from the group in decades and has garnered at least one hit with the track Angry. That tune and classics from the combo’s incredibly deep back catalogue are popping up in set lists for the new tour, including many fan-voted songs such as Doo Doo Doo Doo (Heartbreaker) and Monkey Man, and Keith is singing up to four tunes nightly.

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FVDED in the Park Summer Music Festival

When: July 5-8
Where: Holland Park, Surrey
Tickets and info: fvdedinthepark.com

One of the most-anticipated events on the summer festival calendar for EDM fans, FVDED in the Park never fails to showcase a deep dive into acts from across the genre. This year’s headliners include long-lived crew Swedish House Mafia, Diplo and the super-duo KX5, featuring Deamau5 and Kaskade. With local, national and international artists gracing the several stages in the event’s Surrey park setting, this is a dance-a-thonic good time. NOTE: 90 per cent sold.

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Art Bergmann Songs of the Underclass 10th Anniversary

When: July 26, 8 p.m.
Where: Rickshaw Theatre
Tickets and info: Rickshawtheatre.com

This performance from 2020 Order of Canada recipient and acclaimed singer/songwriter punk legend Art Bergmann will focus on his Songs of the Underclass. Released by indie label weewerk, this four-song EP represented Bergmann’s return to recording after a lengthy break. Many would say his writing has never been better than on this record and the ones that followed.

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SWOLLENFEST with Swollen Members and guests

When: July 27, 5 p.m.
Where: Hollywood Theatre, 3123 West Broadway
Tickets and info: hollywoodtheatre.ca

Back in the day, Swollen Members were the West Coast rulers in the Canadian hip-hop scene. The group of rappers Madchild and Prevail with DJ Rob the Viking, as well as former members Moka Only, Easy Roc and Zodak scored four Juno Awards and were the best-selling Canadian hip-hop group in Canada. Singles like Lady Venom and Fuel Injected had plenty of radio love as well. The group last dropped new music in 2021 with the single Tetris, before Madchild returned to focusing on solo releases and Prevail and Rob the Viking pursued projects such as XL The Band. For SWOLLENFEST, the core trio reunites with additional guest turns from legendary Brooklyn artist Talib Kweli, Hieroglyphics crew’s Casual, pub shows by Junk, Naduh, Sirreal, Teon Gibbs, and Lowkita, and a special appearance by Moka Only. DJs Neil Armstrong, Flipout and Science will spin all night too.

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Norah Jones: Visions tour

When: July 30, 7:30 p.m.
Where: Queen Elizabeth Theatre
Tickets and info: livenation.com

Norah Jones is one of the most awarded adult pop acts on the circuit. Not only does she have nine Grammy Awards to her credit, she also has global sales of more than 50 million albums. That number will be going up with the new album Visions, which shifts the slick easy-listening style of her massive debut Come Away With Me into somewhat looser territory in the spirit of her side band, the Little Willies. While the album is more of a soul sounding release, the performance is sure to pack in material from the singer/pianist’s many other albums. It would be hard to find a more perfect date night gig for rekindling romance than this Gen X star.

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sderdeyn@postmedia.com

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