Wizard Rock returns to Greater Vancouver with a Remus and the Lupins concert tomorrow (Friday 29 September), at 8:00 pm, in Richmond at the Thompson Community Centre, 5151 Granville Avenue.

To think that a few months ago, I hadn’t even heard of wizard rock. Now this is my third post on the topic in as many months. (Earlier posts: 1, 2.)

Wizard Rock is music by bands whose members are nominally from the Harry Potter universe, or who at least sing songs about that universe. Not only are there multiple bands actively performing in this genre, but they have albums, a busy tour schedule, and loyal fans who faithfully attend their concerts in costume and buy their merchandise.

Local Harry Potter fans are lucky that Vancouver appears to be a regular stop on the various bands’ tours. Back in July, the Vancouver Public Library hosted a Battle of the Bands between Harry and the Potters and Draco and the Malfoys.

One thing that strikes me as slightly odd is that behind the music, the wizard rock bands all have a didactic streak: they constantly and directly encourage reading. Not a thing wrong with that—just a commonality I can’t help but notice. Remus and the Lupins are no exception; their website exhorts the reader: Fight Evil. Read Books. It’s a noble goal, and if concerts help with it, all the best to them. And having heard their music over the Internet and attended a past concert myself, I have to say that the music’s pretty good too.

So rock on, wizard rock bands. Voldemort can’t stop the rock.