Monday Night Live

If you're a local hip-hop artist and you haven't yet made it down to the Lamplighter's Monday Night Live, chances are your career could use the exposure. As the only weekly showcase for Vancouver talent, the long-running event (formerly held at the Pic Pub) regularly counts the industry's most influential operators among its guests. So whether you're looking to get the attention of a critic, an artist, or a label owner, there's a good chance you'll find someone willing to entertain your aspirations of stardom, and someone else who's heard it all before.

Last week, Birdapres and mcenroe appeared in support of their new release, Nothing Is Cool, an album that finds the two at the top of their lyrical powers. Opening the show with a quartet of new songs from various forthcoming projects, mcenroe struggled to stir the standoffish heads on-hand, but no matter. Every time someone suggests that the Winnipeg native should give up rapping to produce full-time, he goes and pens another perceptive anthem; on this night, the Wal-Martí‚ ­baiting "Big Box" stood out as his best.

When Birdapres joined mcenroe on-stage, a few patrons came forward but most preferred to sit back and sip beer while the pair trotted out splendid new tracks like "5000 Watts" and "Broke Beat". Indeed, if a little bump 'n' grind is what you're in for, you're not likely to find too many takers at Monday Night Live. But with upcoming performances by Emotionz (November 29), Camobear Records (December 6), and Illa Brown (December 13), there's no better way to break into the scene than by hitting the Lamplighter. Just don't forget to bring your demo.