Throwback Thursday: 3 alternative rock concerts to catch in Vancouver this month

From nostalgic anthems to new music, Jimmy Eat World, Young the Giant and Of Monsters and Men are bringing their greatest hits to local stages.

Some bands never really leave your playlist. Whether you’re still blasting “The Middle” on your commute, belting out “Cough Syrup” with the windows down or remembering the first time you heard “Little Talks,” this July is giving you a chance to hear some of those anthemic songs live. Jimmy Eat World, Young the Giant and Of Monsters and Men are all bringing their latest tours to Vancouver, from anniversary celebrations and new albums to the sweeping indie folk anthems that made them fan favourites.

Jimmy Eat World Jimmy Eat World is taking its Bleed American 25th Anniversary Tour to the Doug Mitchell Thunderbird Sports Centre on July 19, with supporting acts Motion City Soundtrack and illuminati hotties. The alternative rock band from Mesa, Arizona will perform Bleed American in its entirety, celebrating the quarter-century anniversary of the seminal 2001 album that helped usher in the band’s mainstream breakthrough. In addition to the hit and instantly recognizable singles “The Middle” and “Sweetness,” fans can expect to hear other fan favourites from across Jimmy Eat World’s catalogue, including “Pain” and “Work.”

After an eight-year wait since the band's last Vancouver show at the Commodore Ballroom, fans will finally have another chance to see one of the defining alt-rock bands of the early 2000s live. And while Bleed American is the night's main attraction, here's hoping the setlist also makes room for favourites from Futures and beyond. When: July 19.

Doors at 6 p.m. Where: Doug Mitchell Thunderbird Sports Centre - 6066 Thunderbird Blvd. Cost: Starting at $64.95.

Buy tickets via Ticketmaster. Young the Giant On July 24, Young the Giant is bringing its Victory Garden Tour to the Doug Mitchell Thunderbird Sports Centre, joined by special guests Cold War Kids and Beach Weather. Released in May 2026, the indie rock band’s sixth album Victory Garden explores themes of connection, hope and empathy through the band's signature blend of thoughtful songwriting and soaring melodies.

Fans can expect to hear new singles such as "Different Kind of Love," "Bitter Fruit" and "Already There," alongside some of the band's biggest hits, including "Cough Syrup" and "My Body." Over the past 15 years, the multi-platinum group from Irvine, Calif. has evolved through multiple musical eras while building a reputation for dynamic live performances and anthemic alternative rock. When: July 24.

Doors at 6 p.m. Where: Doug Mitchell Thunderbird Sports Centre - 6066 Thunderbird Blvd. Cost: Starting at $43.05.

Buy tickets via Ticketmaster. Of Monsters and Men Icelandic indie folk collective Of Monsters and Men will make a stop at the Queen Elizabeth Theatre on July 25 as part of the band's The Mouse Parade Tour, joined by singer-songwriter August Ponthier. The tour supports the band's fourth studio album, All Is Love and Pain in the Mouse Parade.

The new record explores the ways love and loss often coexist, weaving together intimate stories with the band's signature cinematic sound and rich storytelling. Fans can expect to hear new songs such as "Television Love" and "Ordinary Creature," alongside favourites including "Little Talks" and "Mountain Sound." Drawing inspiration from Iceland's dramatic landscapes, Of Monsters and Men have crafted a sound that blends sweeping indie folk melodies with vivid storytelling, making their live shows as immersive as they are memorable.

When: July 25. Starts at 8 p.m. Where: Queen Elizabeth Theatre - 630 Hamilton St. Cost: Resale tickets start at $130.

Buy tickets via Ticketmaster. The