Newt's Vancouver rock forecast: AC/DC, Slash, Priest—it's all good!

There's a shipload of great Vancouver rock shows coming up in the next few months. And some of them are LOUD AS HELL!!!!

Which is fine by me. I'd happily go deaf to AC/DC, Slash, or Judas Priest any day of the week.

Speaking of AC/DC, the Aussie legends do that stadium thing at B.C. Place on September 22. The last time I saw them, with my wife at GM Place in 2008, she suffered from a splitting headache for two full days. Mind you, that was her first time experiencing AC/DC. I've been checking them out since 1983, so have built up immunity to the earbusting capabilities of Angus Young's deviously cranked SG.

Here's hoping they play all four of the tracks on their latest album that include rock in the title—"Rock or Bust", "Rock the Blues Away", "Got Some Rock & Roll Thunder", and "Rock the House"—as well as a track or two from Powerage, which original rhythm guitarist Malcolm Young once told me was his fave AC/DC disc. (Sadly, Mal's not in the lineup anymore, having been diagnosed with dementia last year.)

Three weeks after Angus does a number on your eardrums, Slash will be at the Queen E. Theatre to make you realize that there's at least one hard-rock guitarist who's just as great. The last time the ex-Gunner was in town, for a gig at the Hard Rock Casino last year, he delivered a flawless show—one of the best I've seen in 40-odd years of gig-going. It helps that he's got an excellent band in Myles Kennedy and the Conspirators, which boasts Canada's rockingest bassist, Todd Kerns.

And if you're still in the mood for nasty guitar licks after AC/DC and Slash have had their wicked ways with you, psych yourself up for Halloween with Judas Priest at the Hard Rock Casino. If you're swimmin' in cash, you can actually see them two nights in a row: October 27 and 28. 

While not quite as consistently deafening as those first three acts, Neil Young has been known to turn it up himself once in a while, and yesterday's news that he'll play the Queen E. October 5 with his current band Promise of the Real was pure bliss. Tickets go on sale this Saturday at 10 am, so don't get so shitfaced Friday night that you forget to get your ass up in the morning and order 'em.

Another Les Paul-heavy show to watch for in October is the Darkness at the Commodore on the 13th. I've seen a lotta super shows at the hallowed Granville Street venue, but the Darkness gig there in 2012 was unforgettable. If they can pull off another one half that fine it'll be worth seeing.

And just in case you're a total geek who doesn't like any of the above recommendations, here's a few more. Tell 'em the Newt sent ya.

Mark Knopfler September 10 at the Queen E. (It's SOLD OUT, but that's never stopped you before.)

Foo Fighters September 11 at Rogers Arena.

Marty Friedman September 26 at the Rickshaw.

The Who September 29 at Rogers Arena.

Chris Cornell September 30 at the Orpheum. (It's SOLD OUT, but it's time to pwn a scalper.)

Ringo Starr & His All Starr Band October 9 at the Queen E.

King Crimson November 26 and 27 at the Vogue.

Zappa Plays Zappa November 29 at the Commodore.