Jay-Z 10/27/2009
 
 H-O-V-A himself graced the stage of GM Place a couple weeks back and from the video above, you can see that Vancouver thought it was a long time coming.

Vancouver's own DJ Flipout opened the show and it was unfortunate that Wale & J.Cole had to cancel the day before (reasons unknown). However, N*E*R*D & Toronto-based RHEA rocked the Place, adding a new element to the band for sure.

Memphis Bleek also shared the stage with Jay-Z, and as much as I was hoping for Alicia Keys to make a surprise appearance when he performed "Empire State of Mind," the other female vocalist he brought out was also talented (unsure of her name).

My favorite moment had to be when Jay-Z pointed out all his fans in the audience and gave every appreciation for coming out to his concert while "Forever Young" played in the background.
 
Brian McKnight 10/27/2009
 
Drove down to Tacoma straight from the Jay-Z Concert to check out one of the greatest R&B Kings, Mr.Brian Mcknight.
Wasn't sure what to expect, but he definitely made the night right.

He started off with a tribute to Michael Jackson with "I Want You Back" and from there he was continuously entertaining, very funny and even brought out his sons (Nico & Brian Jr.) who are also singers (stay tuned for their album release coming soon).

Definitely worth the drive down.

- Danielle Ow
 
En Vogue @ PNE 10/16/2009
 
One of the greatest female R&B groups of all time, En Vogue came to bless the PNE with a line-up of their best hits.

(Video by Anna Mae)
 
 
I had the chance to check out Alicia Keys in Manila while I was in the Philippines last summer.
For the price of nosebleed ticket here in Vancouver, we were able to sit in the 2nd row in Manila.
The concert was supposed to take place in the outdoor theatre of Mall of Asia, but the rainy season caused a change of venue to the SMX Convention Centre (still an awesome venue).

The Philippines definitely loves Ms.Keys, as the convention center was filled from front to back (people paid $10 CAD to stand the whole night in the verrrrry back room where you could only see Alicia Keys through TV Monitors).

Her performance was great (save for a few questionable dance moves and head twirls) and it was truly an unrealistic experience to be so close to her.
 
 
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MIA @ The Commodore
MIA is undeniably talented and her eccentric sounds and style are what make her a favorite performing artist, no doubt.

The minute we found out MIA was coming to Vancouver back in November ’07 (man, it was THAT LONG AGO already?), we scooped up tickets. Hearing it was being held at the Commodore Ballroom made it even more exciting – that venue is one of the best places to have a live show.

There was no doubt that everyone wanted to share the MIA experience – she scheduled two different dates and both shows were SOLD OUT! The place was jam packed and you could feel everyone’s excitement...
 
 
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image via US Magazine
In recent years the “Concert Vacation” has become an increasingly popular destination for me, despite the lack of funds most times. Having grown up in Edmonton, Alberta, few concerts found their way to us. You always had to find them.

Although I live in Vancouver now where there is a definite increase of concert availability, I still find myself travelling to distant places to enjoy some great live music. For me, buying concert tickets has been equivalent to buying food. I just can’t help it. Amel Larrieux in Seattle. Rock the Bells in San Francisco. Common in Las Vegas. Mariah Carey in Edmonton. Kanye West in Toronto. John Legend in Vancouver. Oscar D’Leon in Calgary. Sonora Carruseles in Montreal.

For nearly 4 months last year I carefully planned a trip to Las Vegas in May for the sole purpose of finally seeing Miss Alicia Keys perform live at the MGM Grand Arena for her “As I Am” tour. I was desperate to see her....
 
Common in NYC. 09/25/2009
 
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Common Rockin' The Crowd
Danielle & I had planned a trip to New York City and found out that Common was going to be having a show while we were there. Common is one of Danielle’s FAVORITE artists and I have never seen him perform live before so we snatched up a couple tickets!

(I think Danielle and I went on our NYC trip at a good time because it was during the VH1 Hip Hop Honors awards and by coincidence we ended up partying alongside Busta Rhymes + Spliff, Timbaland, Missy Elliot, Grand Puba, DJ Red Alert, Keri Hilson and T.I.)

The show was at the Nokia Theatre in Times Square and it was perhaps the best Venue to host Common (well, besides Madison Square Garden). The energy coming off from the audience is one you couldn’t compare – it seems like the concert goers in the USA are a lot more hype than us Vancouver-folk...
 
 
Peep this clip of Maxwell performing “A Woman’s Work” for an MTV Unplugged music special – if any of you know how I can get a hold of a DVD Copy of this, PLEASE LET ME KNOW!

And from the same special, here he is performing a mellow version of “Sumthin Sumthin’”
(view it here)

I had the opportunity to see him TWICE in the past year, with my sister Lyn in LA and when he came to Vancouver in May. He was just as, or if not more smooth and suave as he is in these video clips and had such an amazing presence on-stage.

Whenever I’m on the computer or working at home, I love playing Tamia in the background! This canadian songbird has one of the most beautiful voices and doesn’t receive as much acclaim and recognition as she should. These clips show exactly how clean, smooth, and just beautiful sounding her voice really is.

- Anne Marie Corcuera
 
 
The clip aboveis a video of me dancing with my favorite R&B artist, JON B -

It all happened so fast and i even imagined myself dancing with him days before going to his concert to this exact song! When he started playing this song my girls pushed me towards the stage so i was right up at the front so he could see me dancing...all of a sudden he was right in front of me and then he took my hand and pulled me onto the stage!

My heart was beating so fast and my friends in the front could see my legs shaking but i tried to keep my cool to represent my SVS girls the best i could! i was lucky to find this clip recorded by someone that was there that i don't even know but was able to get a good chunk of it:
 
 

With Common coming down to Deer Lake Park in Burnaby for Rock The Bells on Aug 1st, I’m reminded of last year’s concert with N.E.R.D. at Stanley Park – one of the most live outdoor hiphop shows I’ve ever been to in large part because it was in our very own hometown. Vancouver hasn’t had a huge share of concerts like this and the fact that we didn’t have to go through a Customs interrogation or half a days travel costing a full days wage, made it extra dope to have him there in our backyard. A set complete with a marquis, bar & bartender, cocktails, and some ‘exterior-night-club’ voice-overs, he never fails to deliver a whole experience and on behalf of my fellow Vancity fans…thanks Common, for the experience!

As a side note for the ladies, I want to share his video for “Come Close” off the less commercially appreciated Electric Circus LP, featuring Mary J. Blige, produced by the Neptunes (need I say more?). It’s just a plain old sweet slow jam that I also find reminiscent of the old rap ballads a la LL Cool J & Heavy D. The video is cinematic and tells a complete story in a clever way that also tugs at your heartstrings.

Peep the clip here.

- Lei Tolosa