2010 Winter Olympics, Week 1

By: Christine McAvoy

A majority of the hot-ticket-concerts fell during the first week of the Olympics; shows like Feist and City And Colour were sold out well in advance, meaning some of the city's largest venues were filled with excited Vancouverites and out-of-town-ers alike.

Monday kicked off the week with City And Colour (aka Dallas Green) at a packed Queen Elizabeth Theatre. After performing the first song solo Green was joined by his band, and screams (both female and male) filled the air from all directions.

Tuesday found Dan Mangan at the Roundhouse, playing at home for the first time after months of touring abroad. The small stage/venue provided an intimate setting for the concert, and as always Mangan had the crowd going from laughs to tears and back again.

Wednesday was the big day: Gonzales and Feist's Piano Talk Show at the Orpheum. Not only did Gonzales' banter and incredible musical talent steal the show, but it got two standing ovations. Feist, ever her quirky self, and her borrowed band/choir (that included the likes of Julie Doiron and AC Newman) retooled some of her most popular songs, and came out for not one, but two encores.

Thursday was a treat for the Cultural Olympiad attendees, who definitely were dancing it up during Brasstronaut (playing on the eve of their several-month-long tour) and then swaying, mesmerized, to an incredible instrumental set by Bell Orchestre, who performed brand new music overtop of nature films projected on a big screen.

Friday was a busy night that saw me running from Hey Rosetta! at the Orpheum, to the Vancouver Public Library in order to photograph Vince Vaccaro, as well as Jill Barber, who were both performing as a part of Eco Fashion Week.

All in all, the first five days of the musical side of the Olympic celebration here in Vancouver were a blur of action, excitement, bruises and blisters and incredible Canadian talent-an incredibly enjoyable experience thus far.