10 Vancouver concerts to put on your January calendar

U.K. DJ Jamie xx, Slayer guitarist Kerry King and local rapper SonReal and more play this month.

Published Jan 01, 2025  •  Last updated 0 minutes ago  •  6 minute read

Slayer guitarist Kerry King has a new band with a debut album titled From Hell I Rise Photo by Photo Credit: Jim Louvau

Long, long ago, the first few months of a new year were pretty slow for touring shows. Not anymore.

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Whatever your genre preference, there are many gigs to consider in January.

The only major facility in town not being used is B.C. Place. The city’s largest arena is likely still recovering from December’s trio of Taylor Swift performances which wound down the star’s Eras Tour. So far, the only concert on the books for the venue in 2025 is AC/DC on April 22.

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Rest assured that there will be more coming as major artists start announcing world tours and festival dates in the next few months.

For now, here are 10 concerts we recommend this month.

Thee Sacred Souls play back-to-back shows at the Commodore Ballroom. Ebru Yildiz photo Photo by Ebru Yildiz

Thee Sacred Souls

When and where: Jan. 14, 15, 7 p.m. at Commodore Ballroom.

Ticket on sale: Ticketmaster.ca.

What is the latest album: Got A Story To Tell, released Oct. 4.

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What to know about the tour: San Diego trio Thee Sacred Souls are a soul/pop that who built its reputation through constant touring and the word of mouth reviews about its powerful live show. That the band has found a home on tastemaking label Daptone comes as no surprise to anyone who has grooved to tracks such as the singles My Heart is Drowning or Waiting on the Right Time. This is sixties-style chiming California pop blended with some very Stax-leaning vocals, fuzz guitar and lockstep bass and drums.

Who else is on the tour: TBA

Missy D performs with Tonye Aganaba at the Chan Centre for the Performing Arts at UBC.

Missy D and Tonye Aganaba

When and where: Jan. 18, 8 p.m. at the Chan Centre for the Performing Arts, UBC.

Ticket on sale: On sale now at chancentre.com or 604 822-2697.

What is the latest album: Missy D released the song J’avance last year. Tonye Aganaba’s new album Something Comfortable is available on Bandcamp.

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What to know about the tour: Missy D was the 2024 Western Canadian Music Award francophone artist of the year and is a bilingual “femcee” with roots in Africa. She is a fixture on the local and international festival circuits with her rap and soul sets. Tonye Aganaba is a nonbinary musician and community organizer whose ancestry can be traced to Zimbabwe and Nigeria. Both artists make music that weaves together different styles into something stylish and moving.

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Who else is on the tour: No other artists are on this bill

Jamie xx brings his DJ skills to the Pacific Coliseum Photo by Samir Hussein /Getty Images for H&M

Jamie xx: In Waves Tour

When and where: Jan. 20 at Pacific Coliseum.

Ticket on sale: On sale now at Ticketleader.ca.

What is the latest album: In Waves, released Sept. 20.

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What to know about the tour: The beat scientist in the xx, Jamie xx released In Waves in 2024 to rave reviews. The first new music from the celebrated creator in almost a decade boasted singles such as Baddy on the Floor with Honey Dijon, Waited All Night With Romy Madley Croft, Life with Robyn and more. His Vancouver date sold out quickly and has been moved from the Forum to the Pacific Coliseum.

Who else is on the tour: TBA

Slayer guitarist Kerry King, centre, has a new band with a debut album titled From Hell I Rise Photo by Photo Credit: Jim Louvau

Kerry King: From Hell I Rise tour

When and where: Jan. 20, 6:30 p.m. at Commodore Ballroom.

Ticket on sale: On sale now at Ticketmaster.ca.

What is the latest album: From Hell I Rise came out May 17.

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What to know about the tour: Having blazed a trail in heavy metal with thrash legends Slayer, guitarist Kerry King is now fronting his own band featuring former Slayer drummer Paul Bostaph, singer Mark Osegueda of Death Angel, longtime Machine Head guitarist Phil Demmel and former Hellyeah bassist Kyle Sanders. The group finds its own sound on its debut which features songs that King has been working on for years.

Who else is on the tour: New Zealand trio Alien Weaponry, who often perform songs in the Indigenous Te Reo Maori language.

Brooklyn-based Pakistani singer-songwriter and recent Grammy-winner Arooj Aftab performs at the Hollywood Theatre

Arooj Aftab: Night Reign Tour

When and where: Jan. 20, 7 p.m. at Hollywood Theatre.

Ticket on sale: on sale now at hollywoodtheatre.ca.

What is the latest album: Night Reign released on May 24.

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What to know about the tour: Having performed in Vancouver numerous times with her many different projects, Grammy-winning Pakistani singer/songwriter Arooj Aftab brings her intimate solo performance to Kitsilano. Blending traditional and contemporary sounds, Aftab’s songs can often create textured soundscapes with their use of electric and acoustic instrumentation. Note: Table reservation is advised.

Who else is on the tour: No opening act listed.

Vancouver rap artist SonReal plays local show at Hollywood Theatre Photo by Submitted Photo /PNG

SonReal: All Things Aside Tour

When and where: Jan. 24, 7 p.m. at Hollywood Theatre.

Ticket on sale: Ticketmaster.ca.

What is the latest album: All Things Aside released Aug. 16.

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What to know about the tour: The second leg of popular local rapper SonReal‘s tour in support of his most recent album packs in 22 Canadian shows, including one in Vancouver. This follow’s last year’s outing which brought the artist to 26 cities in the U.S. where his music is starting to take hold. A high-energy performer known for his fast rhymes and wit, this should be a fun night.

Who else is on the tour: TBA.

Bright Eyes is a band lead by musician Conor Oberst. Photo by Ted Rhodes /Calgary Herald

Bright Eyes

When and where: Jan. 23, 7 p.m. at Commodore Ballroom.

Ticket on sale: on sale now at Ticketmaster.ca.

What is the latest album: Five Dice, All Threes released on Sept. 20.

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What to know about the tour: Bright Eyes heads out in support of the band’s 11th studio album Five Dice, All Threes. The Conor Oberst-fronted project began in 1995 and has maintained a steady output of its lo-fi bedroom folk sounds. With its songs covered by everyone from Lorde and the Killers to being sampled by Young Thug and Lil Peep, the band has a wealth of material to choose from for its set lists. This is a rebooked gig after Oberst lost his voice last year.

Who else is on the tour: TBA.

Mark Foster of the band Foster the People performs Photo by Dario Ayala /The Gazette

Foster the People: Paradise State of Mind Tour

When and where: Jan. 27, 8 p.m. at Queen Elizabeth Theatre.

Ticket on sale: On sale now at Ticketmaster.ca.

What is the latest album: Paradise State of Mind released on Aug. 16.

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What to know about the tour: While the band has yet to repeat the massive success of its breakout single Pumped Up Kicks, Foster the People has continued to release records right in line with the hooky, funky sound that broke it into the top 10. Fans of eighties-tinged electro pop will find a lot to like in singles such as Lost In Space.

Who else is on the tour: U.K. duo Good Neighbours has been opening dates, but aren’t confirmed for the local show yet.

Vancouver hard rock act the Black Halos are touring in 2025. Photo by Stuart MacDonald

The Black Halos perform The Violent Years

When and where: Jan. 25, 8 p.m. at Rickshaw Theatre.

Ticket on sale: On sale at eventbrite.ca.

What is the latest album: How the Darkness Doubled released on Nov. 25, 2022.

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What to know about the tour: Formed in 1994 as a punk alternative to the longhair jams coming out of the Seattle grunge scene, the Black Halos quickly gained a reputation as a killer live band blowing the roof off dive venues all across North America and Europe. The Violent Years was the band’s second album, released on Sub Pop records to solid reviews and regular MTV and Much Music — ask your grandparents about this kids — rotation for the video for Some Things Never Fail.

Who else is on the tour: Real Sickies will open. 

Hornby Island Jazz guitarist Tony Wilson. Handout

John Korsrud/Tony Wilson Septet

When and where: Jan. 31, 9 p.m. at Zameen Art House.

Ticket on sale: Will be on sale at theinfidelsjazz.ca.

What is the latest album: No recording by this group has been released.

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What to know about the tour: This local group co-lead by trumpeter John Korsrud and guitarist Tony Wilson also features the talents of guitarist Ron Samworth, saxophonist John Nicholson, trombonist Jeremy Berkman, bassist James Meger and drummer Todd Stewart. Previous performances have include a December show at Tyrant Studios in downtown Vancouver. These players are fixtures on the local improvised music scene.

Who else is on the tour: No other acts on the bill.

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