From surviving a battle with cancer to coming out as transgender, the artist’s life experiences form the basis of an inspiring musical catalogue
By Emily Lyth
Eighth & Eight Creative Spaces presents Beau Wheeler at the Massey Theatre in Studio 1C on October 11 at 7:30 pm
THERE’S MUCH TO NOTE about Vancouver-based singer-songwriter Beau Wheeler. For one, they have a killer set of pipes that could rival the likes of k.d. lang or Robert Plant. But more compellingly, their entire song catalogue speaks of moving life experiences that are endlessly inspiring and uplifting.
There are themes of love, loss, and redemption; anthems of hope and strength born from a battle with cancer; and reflections on gender from the artist, who came out as trans during the pandemic.
Ahead of Wheeler’s upcoming performance at the Massey Theatre presented by Eighth & Eight Creative Spaces, here’s a little bit more background into the breadth of the musician’s talent.
#1
Wheeler recorded two EPs during the pandemic
When the pandemic hit, Wheeler had been just about to record a live album and video shoot at the Fox Cabaret. To be exact, the show was fatefully scheduled for March 15, 2020—the day the world shuttered to a halt with closures, cancellations, and travel bans. Though they had no choice but to cancel that concert, Wheeler went on to record an EP called Night Terrors with fellow singer-songwriter Aaron Trory as darkwave synth-rock duo Mully & Sculder; and shortly after, they were finally able to record an acoustic EP, Tiny But Mighty, live off the floor with their band.
#2
The title track off Flying Colours is about cancer treatment
Wheeler is a proud cancer survivor, and their 2023 single “Flying Colours”—the title track on their most recent album—pays tribute to that fight. “I’m coming back with flying colours, I’m gonna be there with all the others,” croons the vocalist powerfully over the track, rounded out by uplifting guitar strums and a steady drumbeat. More meaningful lyrics, like “Watch me through the darkness, cause I’m gonna shine”, emphasize the artist’s resiliency as they worked toward a triumphant comeback.
#3
Wheeler comes from a musical family
If you’re one to believe in the idea of destiny, then it’s certain that Wheeler is meant to be playing music. Their grandfather was a Vancouver-based jazz pianist who supported greats among the likes of Nat King Cole and Sammy Davis Jr. back in the day. Growing up with that knowledge and appreciation, a young Wheeler became fascinated by The Beatles and took up songwriting by age 13. Keen listeners can draw parallels between the artist’s lyrics nowadays and John Lennon’s apt for musical messages.
#4
They’ve performed for the Juno Awards
The last time the Juno Awards took place in Vancouver was in 2018 at Rogers Arena, fittingly hosted by Burnaby-born pop powerhouse Michael Bublé (who’s a 15-time Juno Award winner himself). In the week leading up to the ceremony, Wheeler played a concert at the Vancouver International Airport as part of the YVR Welcome Series, where they greeted incoming Juno Awards attendees who were arriving from domestic flights.
#5
Wheeler is an avid teacher
Aside from writing and playing their own tunes, Wheeler is passing their knowledge on to a new generation of artists by teaching singing, songwriting, and performance classes. They’ve shared their perspective to a variety of different crowds, from university creative-writing courses to queer youth groups to women’s prisons. In a way, audiences at Wheeler’s own concerts get to experience that same transfer of knowledge—just without having to pick up a guitar themselves. 
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Emily Lyth
Emily Lyth is a Vancouver-based writer and editor who graduated from Langara College’s Journalism program. Her decade of dance training and passion for all things food-related are the foundation of her love for telling arts, culture, and community stories.
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MUSIC
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cheat sheet, Beau Wheeler, Massey Theatre,
