Victoria’s Hot Hot Heat made it back to the West Coast on Sept 24 to play the Commodore Ballroom in Vancouver. For the numbers-inclined of you, they played 6 songs from their 1st (proper) album, 3 from their second, one from their third and a whopping 7 from their latest. So now you know.

Between drinking with Bob Nastanovich and talking hockey with Steve Malkmus, old interviews with Scott Kannberg, customs with Steve West and family with Mark Ibold, the Backstage Rider actually manages to catch reunited indie slackers Pavement play a two-hour set. AND IT IS REALLY GOOD. Peep the photos, they’re also REALLY GOOD.

What’s a visit to London, England without a last-minute plea for guestlistage to the Klaxons as they debuted their brand-new second album Surfing the Void? Not much, really. The Klaxons sorted the BackstageRider out, put us on the list and also managed to make a fair few other feet dance in the process. Welcome back, madmen.

Graphic novelist and odball genius Alan Moore has a new project out called “Unearthing.” It’s cool, it’s creepy, and it’s got music from Stuart from Mogwai, Mike Patton from Faith No More and DoseOne. Backstagerider talks to do DoseOne and Stuart about the project, the music, the backstory and their favourite Moore comics.

Reggae’s favourite Jew, Matisyahu, made his way back to Vancouver. And we’ve got all the lovely pics courtesy of local cyberpunk Kris Krüg. Open your eyes and peruse the gallery!

Oakland, Cali’s sexy colour explosion Hot Tub made a repeat visit to Vancouver as openers for Woodhands. And then all hell broke loose. Check the pics. Check the video. Check them out.

Why write a concert review when you can draft a tale involving a faerie princess and a forest gnome? Presenting the BackstageRider’s take on Joanna Newsom and Robin Pecknold’s August 5th live show at the Vogue Theatre in Vancouver.

Hey guess what! I was in hospital on Monday-Tuesday! And off sick for the rest of it! Hurrah! Or not. Find, herewith, a Top 25 Playlist entitled “Sick of Being Sick”. Miss Misery loves company so bear this in mind the next time you’re fluey.

Must resist urge to make forced play on the phrase “He ain’t Heavy, he’s my brother”. England’s latest media darlings have brought the funk. And it’s heavy, man. Introducing a band you should probably know about.