So far, two nights in, Pacific Coliseum has been pretty packed for the Summer Night Concerts at the 2025 PNE Fair, as music fans also fill the fairgrounds before and after the arena shows.
Counting Crows kicked things off Saturday night (Aug. 16), followed Sunday by southern-rock trailblazers Lynyrd Skynyrd.
With the PNE closed Monday, the concerts return Tuesday with the upbeat pop-rock of Jack Antonoff's Bleachers, with Nicolas Reyes and his Gipsy Kings on Wednesday. The price of a concert ticket includes admission to the fair in Vancouver.
This summer's hottest PNE concert ticket is Leon Bridges (Saturday, Aug. 23), PNE creative director Patrick Roberge told me on Sunday, with Foreigner not far behind (Aug. 28).
We all know that '70s-era bands are dying off, so seeing Lynyrd Skynyrd live is a treat 鈥� even if none of the "original" band members are alive. Instead, the current lineup features Johnny Van Zant (younger brother of singer Ronnie Van Zant, killed in the infamous plane crash back in '77), Rickey Medlocke (who recorded briefly with Skynyrd in their early days), Damon Johnson, Mark 鈥淪parky鈥� Matejka, Michael Cartellone, Keith Christopher, Peter Keys, Carol Chase and Stacy Michelle.
On-screen "candles" remembered the 16 former band members now gone, with a special tribute to guitarist Gary Rossington, last of the originals, during a solemn "Tuesday's Gone."
Sunday's concert was saluted as "50 years of Skynyrd," though an intro video clearly noted that the band's roots date back to 1968. That's 57 years, not 50, but who's counting with so many great songs to hear and air-guitar?
Among them, naturally, was "Sweet Home Alabama," no sign of Confederate flags on stage (nor off, for that matter).
Canadian flags did fly during Sunday's concert, however, as the very American band attempted to show unity with northern neighbours.
The epic-length guitar solo at the end of "Free Bird" was something to behold as Medlocke stood front and centre, fingers flying on a Gibson fretboard for what seemed like 15 minutes. Many fists punched the air. Of course it was the night's final song, and after 90 minutes happy fans exited the arena to the distant sounds of "Sweet Caroline," played by Nearly Neil on the Freedom Mobile Stage.
The PNE's fancy (Freedom Mobile Arch) won't be ready until next year, so the Pacific Coliseum (aka Chevrolet Stage) is where the action is for another summer. Check out the full list of concerts on .
The 2025 PNE Fair started Saturday (Aug. 16) and continues until Sept. 1, signalling the end of summer (well, kinda) with a wide range of entertainment at the landmark site in East Van, daily from 11 a.m. to 11 p.m. Advertised as "115 years of fun, 1910-2025," . Visit for tickets and details.
