Newt's Vancouver concert picks: Gov't Mule, Tom Petty, ZZ Top, Metallica. You know, just all the best stuff

Everyone's a critic, they say. Yeah, well, not everyone's a critic for 35 years. I've been blabbin' on about the music I like best for so long that it's become second nature. Look, here I go again, blabbin' on about the upcoming Vancouver concerts I most want to see. 

First up, you've got your Gov't Mule, which plays the Vogue on September 17, as part of the Westward Music Festival. I just can't get enough of bandleader Warren Haynes. Not only can he write killer tunes and sing them with great passion, his guitar playing can't be beat. Why do you think the Allman Brothers hired him back in '89 to play all Duane Allman's slide licks in concert?

And speaking of wicked songwriters: Tom Petty anyone? He's bringing his Heartbreakers to Rogers Arena on August 17. I've seen them tons of times--including at the Commodore on the You're Gonna Get It tour of 1978, and as Bob Dylan's band at Berkeley, California's Greek Theatre in '86--and they never disappoint.

Speaking of never disappointing, have you ever seen a bad Metallica concert? Not me. I know some metalheads believe the band sold out with The Black Album, but I think the music they're making now is as worthy as anything they've ever done. They're at the cavernous BC Place on August 14, but if anyone can handle a football stadium it's these guys. Maybe they'll even play some Thin Lizzy.

Five of the most wished-for words in rock 'n' roll: "free concert by ZZ Top". And if you're at the PNE on August 24 you can check out the little ol' band from Texas for the added cost of zero. But if you're intent on spending money you can also reserve seats, unless they're sold out already.

Speaking of selling out, Roger Waters never has. He could make an obscene amount of cash if he got back together with David Gilmour and they toured as Pink Floyd, but that's not his thing. So he's playing two nights at Rogers Arena on October 28 and 29, touring behind his new solo album, Is This the Life We Really Want? Oh quit your bawlin', he'll play lotsa Floyd tunes as well.

And for about as much live music as a person can safely absorb in one day, there's the Khatsahlano Street Party, which takes place on West Fourth Avenue, between Burrard and MacDonald, on July 8. The lineup of bands includes the Zolas, the Courtneys, D.O.A., Louise Burns, War Baby, Roots Roundup, Jody Glenham, the Wooden Horsemen, and Twin Bandit, to name just a few.

Remember that time Nardwuar played Khats?