Witnessing underground live music has been a transformative experience for me. Listening to music on the radio or your phone is easy to take for granted. But if you aren’t experiencing it live, it’s hard to connect to the people behind the music. Going to a show supports the artists and connects you to other music lovers in the audience. Dancing, making friends, and enjoying art are just some of the possibilities!
Seeing underground music performed live can change the way you perceive music in the rest of your life. Also, I’d bet you know one or two people who perform in a band. I’ve played in a band in Vancouver for the past couple of years, so I have seen and heard a lot of live music. To help introduce you to the best places to enjoy Vancouver’s music scene, I’ve made the following list. These are all underground venues, focused on local live music.
Red Gate Arts Society
Red Gate is a non-profit, multi-use arts space. They live stream all their shows on their website. Make sure you check out the beautifully graffitied washrooms while you’re there! They are located at 1965 Main St.
IG: @redgateartssociety
Take Your Time Back (648 Kingsway)
Previously known by its address, 648 Kingsway, this cozy DIY venue is a great place to see up-and-coming bands, as well as established local artists. The entrance is in the back alley!
IG: @takeurtimeback
Green Auto
It may be in an industrial area and have the name and appearance of a mechanic’s shop, but don’t be fooled. This is a great indoor and outdoor venue located at 1822 Pandora St. Check out their monthly newsletter highlighting local artists!
IG: @greenautomusic
Grey Lab
One of the newest underground venues in Vancouver, this space has already seen some killer shows. Decently sized, and run by a legendary underground music photographer, come to 438 W Pender to get your socks rocked off.
IG: @greylabyv
This list will hopefully help you find local shows around Vancouver. Other good resources for live music include @thisweekinvan and @vancouverislame on Instagram. Both of these pages list shows at the venues that I’ve mentioned as well as many more. Happy listening 🙂
