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By JJ Brewis Photos by sprout

Timbre Presents…

Well, a lot of great things coming up in the spring concert season for Vancouver. A full range of sounds while be traveling through our city, sure to appeal to pallets of all tastes.

February kicks off with a bang with French lounge-pop act Nouvelle Vague. Known for their down-tempo covers of standard alt pop gems like “Love Will Tear Us Apart” and “Heart of Glass,” Nouvelle Vague have become well-known in the indie scene for bringing new life to old favourites by adding a twist and a whole new vision to these great songs. Supporting their new album “3”, the crowd can be sure to experience some of their new covers, which stick to the same vain as their older material, with tracks like “Our Lips Are Sealed” and “God Save the Queen.”

British rockers Editors will roll in the very next night to the Commodore Ballroom, featuring their own brand of moody 80s-goth influenced rock anthems. On the heels of their newest release, 2009’s “In this Light and On This Evening,” Editors are known for their stand-up live show that has earned them international acclaim. The Mercury Prize nominated Brits are sure to impress.

The Biltmore has seen a lot of great acts over the last few years, and adding to that list will be Brooklyn, New York’s Vivian Girls. The three-piece all-female act released their sophomore LP last year, “Everything Goes Wrong” which built off the dirty, grunge-influenced sound of their self-titled debut from 2008. After a heavy supporting tour history, the Vivian Girls broke out on their own and have carved a niche for themselves earning lots of credit that is more than deserved.

A double bill will fill The Biltmore weeks later, as Swedish indie darlings El Perro Del Mar and Taken By Trees will fill the underground club to the brim with their simplistic yet beautiful pop sounds. El Perro Del Mar is actually solo musician Sarah Assbring, whose work heavily relies on earnest matters of the heart, transformed through sweet solemn melodies that somehow take on uplifting heights despite the debatably morose lyrics. Taken By Trees (Victoria Bergsman, formerly of The Concretes) has recently garnished acclaim from critics and fans alike with the breakout success of her second solo album “East of Eden.”

Despite their moniker, A Sunny Day In Glasgow actually hail from the States, and their sound has been loosely referred to as “dream pop”, which is probably just another term for “shoegaze.” The seven piece create a chaotic yet charming sound that is distinctly their own. The group are former Myspace sensations who broke out a few years back but have taken a while to get off the ground, and their Vancouver debut at The Media Club is sure to be a can’t-miss of the season.

Just before the hot weather approaches in mid-April, one of the biggest double-headers of the season will fill The Orpheum for a show that is destined to sell out. Veteran rockers Spoon impress time and time again, and their live performance is not one to miss. Frontman Britt Daniel is known for crafting alternative pop hits that constantly fill editors' year end best lists, going all the way back to the mid 90s. Their seventh and newest album, Transference, is likely to be equally as catchy as their entire catalogue. For a band with consistency all over their resume, their live presence is equally impressive. Supporting Spoon are Atlanta indie rockers Deerhunter, who have become critical darlings these past few years, particularly after their 2008 breakout hit "Microcastle." Singer Bradford Cox (also of Atlas Sound) is also a well known stage personality. Given the combination of these two, you're in for double your money's worth!

So get your dancing shoes on Vancouver, and rain or shine (and let's face it, likely the prior), grab those tickets and head to some of the finest shows of the season.

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