Concerts Reviews
Live Review – Janelle Monáe’s ‘The Age Of Pleasure’ Tour Electrifies Vancouver
On a late summer night in Vancouver, the UBC Doug Mitchell Sports Centre became the epicenter of musical and visual brilliance as Janelle Monáe, along with support acts Flyanna Boss and Jidenna, took the stage for the second date of her highly-anticipated “The Age Of Pleasure” tour on August 31, 2023. It was a night that left the audience in awe, celebrating Monáe‘s unique blend of artistry, empowerment, and unforgettable performances.
The evening began with Flyanna Boss, setting the tone for the night with their energetic performance and catchy tracks proving that they are more than a social media phenomenon.
Jidenna, the suave and stylish artist, followed with an soulful set, capturing the audience’s attention with his charismatic stage presence and hits. His fusion of hip-hop, R&B, and African influences had everyone swaying, creating an electric atmosphere that continued to build the anticipation for the headliner.
As the clock struck closer to 10pm, the moment everyone had been waiting for arrived. Janelle Monáe, resplendent in her flowery Midsommar-inspired outfit, graced the stage. The crowd erupted in cheers as she opened her set with the enchanting “Float”, setting the tone for an unforgettable night.
The setlist for the evening was a carefully curated selection of Monáe‘s most iconic songs. “Champagne Shit”, “Phenomenal”, and “Haute” flowed seamlessly into one another, each song punctuated with Monáe‘s captivating dance moves and powerful vocal delivery. Her stage presence was magnetic, commanding the attention of everyone in the venue.
“Django Jane” and “Q.U.E.E.N.” carried a strong message of empowerment and unity, with the audience singing along and embracing the call for self-expression and identity. “Electric Lady” and “Lipstick Lover” kept the energy high, and the crowd was enraptured as Monáe and her wonderful dancers effortlessly transitioned between various musical genres.
“Water Slide” and “Pynk” showcased Monáe‘s versatility as an artist, with her ability to seamlessly blend funk, soul, and pop, all the while delivering a powerful message of self-acceptance and body positivity.
Adorned in her signature tuxedo, hre performance of “I Like That” and “Make Me Feel” had the audience dancing and singing at the top of their lungs. The infectious beats and lyrics emphasized the celebration of individuality, love, and freedom.
As the night reached its crescendo, Monáe closed the show with her iconic “Tightrope”. The crowd went wild, and it was clear that the night had been an experience like no other. The combination of her charismatic stage presence, incredible band, and her impassioned vocals created an electric atmosphere that will be etched in the memories of those who attended.
In summary, Janelle Monáe‘s “The Age Of Pleasure” tour stop in Vancouver on August 31, 2023, was nothing short of phenomenal. With an unforgettable setlist, a message of empowerment and unity, and an electrifying performance, Monáe proved once again why she’s a true icon in the music industry. The audience left the UBC Doug Mitchell Sports Centre that night feeling inspired, entertained, and uplifted by the pure pleasure of Janelle Monáe‘s performance.
All Photo Credit: Caroline Charruyer – Shot from the crowd with a Sony RX100vii
Concerts Reviews
LØLØ Brings her ‘God Forbid a Girl Goes on Tour’ to the Pearl in Vancouver
LØLØ brought her second headlining tour – aptly named “God Forbid a Girl Goes on Tour” – to Vancouver this week, a first for the Canada-born artist. We’ve been a fan since we first heard “Death Wish” back in 2021, which seems like it was yesterday, and we aren’t going to overthink that right now. That being said, we’ve been waiting a long time for this night, and what a show!
We’ve been frequenting The Pearl more and more lately, and like so many others this show was sold out and packed wall-to-wall. There was a small mob for the first opener of the night, Dawson Gamble, and the floor was packed by the time Con the Artist took the stage. When LØLØ appeared, it was all plaid miniskirts and devil horns from the stage to the merch booth.
When the lights went down, LØLØ’s voice boomed over the speakers, narrating excerpts from a journal. LØLØ is not a choreographed, over-polished pop princess. Like so many artists that grew their audience from nothing, she does her best to connect with individuals in the audience. She takes her time, holds their hands, and during one memorable song, brings them on stage to dance.
“I think that people don’t want perfection,” she told Rolling Stone earlier this year. “They just want to see a live show and a special moment.”
LØLØ was very upfront about her adventures online, finding her voice, and time spent during COVID, and from the vibe you have to assume the audience had been there with her the entire time. From “The Floor is Lava” to “Faceplant,” all the hits were covered and sung along to. Speaking of which…
Must Hear Songs by LØLØ (In Our Humble Opinion):
• “death wish” (Single, 2021)
• “Hot Girls in Hell” (falling for robots, 2023)
• “u turn me on (but you give me depression)” (falling for robots, 2023)
• “Let It Go” (A Whole New Sound (Disney), 2024)
Fun fact: LØLØ was featured on a 2024 Disney punk album alongside Simple Plan, Magnolia Park, and Yellow Card, to name a few iconic bands. Check out her version of “Let It Go” from “Frozen.” It’s unexpected and a lot of fun.
LØLØ ‘s first moment of viral fame was her cover of “Hey There Delilah,” updated and sung from Delilah’s perspective. Pulling Con the Artist back on stage for a duet gave the crowd a wonderful, heartfelt moment that was honestly quite touching. Not everyone’s favorite song, but a lovely moment for everyone in the audience.
LØLØ, with several incredible songs in her library and with a stack of “Warped Tour” appearances already in the books, seems poised to breakthrough to the next level. She’s electric on stage, and animated, and we can only dream of the day she is given more space to play. Until then, another highlight concert of 2026, and something to think about until her next visit!
LØLØ Setlist:
• the devil wears converse
• pretty little wreck
• god forbid a girl spits out her feelings!
• THE FLOOR IS LAVA!
• debbie downer
• me with no shirt on
• the punisher
• 2 of us
• u turn me on (but u give me depression)
• faceplant
• Hey There Delilah
• death wish
• delusional darling
• junkie
• DON’T!
• dumbest girl in the world
• wish i was a robot
• hot girls in hell
Check out our favourite photos of the night below or head to our Facebook page for the full gallery. Thanks for attending the show with us and for checking out our review!
LØLØ
All Photo Credit: Jason Martin
Concerts Reviews
LIVE REVIEW: Bring Me the Horizon Lights Up Ottawa
Canadian Tire Centre, Ottawa, October 2 2026
Three bands, three very different flavours of heavy, and not a dull stretch in the night. From the opening notes of the first set to the last drop of confetti, this was a show that gave fans their money’s worth.
The Plot in You
The Plot in You had the job of waking up the room, and they did it by leaning on their biggest strength: the vocalist, Landon Tewers. He has a remarkable range, and what stood out most was how smoothly he moved between two completely different modes. One moment he was unleashing deep, guttural screams that hit like a wall of sound. The next he dropped into soft, melodic passages.
That contrast gave the set its shape. Instead of staying at full volume the whole time, the band let the quiet moments breathe, which made the heavy parts land harder. It was an impressive showing from an opener, and a good reminder that this is a band with real dynamic range.
Motionless in White
Motionless in White brought a different energy: dark, theatrical, and confident. With such an extensive discography, they had plenty of material to choose from, and the set felt like a well-curated tour through their career. Longtime fans had something to sing along to, and newcomers got a clear picture of what the band is about.
The look matched the sound too with the bassist and guitarist wearing creepy makeup and masks, which gave the stage a horror-movie atmosphere. It added to the show without ever pulling focus from the music, and it made them fun to watch even from the back of the room.
Bring Me the Horizon
Then it was time for one of the biggest rock acts in the world: Bring Me the Horizon. From the start, frontman Oli Sykes controlled the room. He wasn’t just performing at the crowd; he was directing it. He demanded circle pits and crowd surfing, and the floor responded. Pits opened up, bodies went over the barricade, and the whole arena never sat still.
The production was enormous. Fire, smoke, confetti, fireworks, and lasers were all deployed throughout the night, and none of it felt like a gimmick. Each effect was timed to hit at the right moment, amplifying the biggest drops and choruses. The backdrops and visuals were just as impressive, giving the stage a cinematic, almost apocalyptic feel that changed with the mood of each song.
One of the most striking moments came during “Shadow Moses,” when Oli brought out a flare. With the red glow cutting through the smoke and the crowd roaring the song back at him, it was one of those images that sticks in your memory long after the lights come up.
A young man was brought on stage to sing “Pray for Plagues,” a tradition the band has kept up at every show on this tour. After the fire, noise, and spectacle, it reminded everyone that this massive production still has room for a fan to share the spotlight.
Through all of it, the pacing was excellent. From their well known hit “Can You Feel My Heart” to their more recent “Darkside, the band balanced intense, high-energy stretches with moments that let the crowd catch its breath, and Oli kept the connection with the audience alive the whole way through.
This was a complete night of heavy music: a strong opener with a standout vocalist, a theatrical and razor-sharp middle act, and a headliner that treated the show like a full-scale production without losing the raw energy at its core. Loud, spectacular, and a whole lot of fun.
Head here for information on the rest of the tour.
Check out our favourite photos of the night below or head to our Facebook page for the full gallery!
BRING ME THE HORIZON
MOTIONLESS IN WHITE
THE PLOT IN YOU
All Photo Credit: Kieran Delport