Concerts Reviews
Taylor Swift’s The Eras Tour: A Night to Remember in Vancouver
Let me just start by saying this: it’s almost impossible to write a review of The Eras Tour without repeating what’s already been said. Whether you’ve seen the movie that premiered in October 2023 or seen endless TikToks and tweets raving about it, this tour has transcended just being a concert. It’s now a cultural phenomenon. But as I sat down to write about the first of Taylor Swift’s three sold-out shows at BC Place and the last Friday show of The Eras Tour ever, I realized the best way to capture what makes this experience special is not just by recapping the music (though I’ll do that too!) but by focusing on the atmosphere and the magic of the night.
The evening began with a land acknowledgment, recognizing that Vancouver is situated on the unceded traditional territories of the xʷməθkʷəy̓əm (Musqueam), Sḵwx̱wú7mesh (Squamish), and səlilwətaɬ (Tsleil-Waututh) Nations. It was a meaningful moment that set the tone for an inclusive and respectful experience.
Gracie Abrams opened the show, and wow, did she command the stage. Having last seen her perform at the Vogue Theatre in April 2023, it was incredible to witness her growth as an artist. Going from an intimate venue like the Vogue to opening at BC Place, packed with tens of thousands of people, is no small feat, but Gracie handled it with grace (pun intended!) and confidence. Her set was short but impactful, and she left the crowd buzzing for Taylor.
Vancouver Becomes Swift City
Taylor Swift’s three shows at BC Place are the grand finale of The Eras Tour, which kicked off in Glendale, Arizona, on March 17, 2023, and will end on December 8, 2024. By the time the final confetti falls, Taylor will have played an incredible 149 shows worldwide. Vancouver truly pulled out all the stops to welcome her. An inflatable friendship bracelet (shipped all the way from Toronto) was wrapped around the stadium. The Vancouver Police Department even got into the spirit, decking out their horses with friendship bracelets around their necks. Destination Vancouver joined the fun by installing 13 light signs scattered across downtown, each featuring Taylor’s lyrics. Fans who visited these signs had the chance to win tickets to the show, which only added to the frenzy leading up to the weekend.
Walking around the city before the show, you could feel the excitement in the air. Groups of friends in coordinated outfits inspired by Taylor’s eras, families with moms and daughters hand-in-hand, and fans trading bracelets everywhere. It was like the city had been taken over by a joyful, glittery army of Swifties.
The Magic of Friendship and Community
If I had to pick one thing that truly makes The Eras Tour special, it’s the sense of community. The friendship bracelet exchange, a nod to the lyrics in You’re On Your Own, Kid, was in full swing. Even for someone who can be a little shy (guilty as charged!), the bracelets are the perfect icebreaker. I traded with fans from all over the world, each bracelet carrying its own story. And it wasn’t just friends exchanging bracelets; I saw mothers and daughters bonding, entire families dressed in theme, and even groups of coworkers out for a night of fun.
That sense of connection seems to amplify the energy of the show itself. In fact, Swifties are known for dancing so hard at Taylor’s concerts that they’ve literally shaken the earth. This happened in Seattle in July 2023, where their moves registered as seismic activity, and again in Edinburgh in June 2024, when monitors were triggered by fans’ collective enthusiasm. The energy in Vancouver definitely felt like it could spark a tremor of its own.
The Setlist and Show Recap
The show itself is a masterpiece. It kicked off with the Lover era and the pastel dreaminess of “Miss Americana & The Heartbreak Prince,” setting the tone for a night that would be equal parts nostalgic and celebratory. From there, Taylor took us on a journey through her entire discography:
- Lover Era: Romantic and glowing, complete with “Cruel Summer” (cue the screams during “he looks up, grinnin’ like a devil!”).
- Fearless Era: A sweet, golden interlude with hits like “Love Story.”
- Red Era: Pure heartbreak and exhilaration during “All Too Well (10 Minute Version).”
- Speak Now Era: A short but emotional segment highlighted by “Enchanted.” The pastel tones were on point.
- Reputation Era: Dark, electric, and powerful with “…Ready For It?” and “Look What You Made Me Do.”
- Folklore/Evermore Era: Moody, enchanting, and absolutely stunning during “Willow,” where fans joined in with lit up orange balloons. “Marjorie” being my favourite Taylor Swift song, I was overjoyed that it was included on the setlist.
- 1989 Era: Glittering pop perfection, with “Shake It Off” and “Style” turning the stadium into a dance party. “Bad Blood’s” pyrotechnics kept everyone warm!
- The Torture Poets Department Era: An intense and deeply introspective part of the night, aptly dubbed Female Rage: The Musical, with “Who’s Afraid Of Little Old Me?” and “The Smallest Man Who Ever Lived.”
- Surprise songs: Taylor’s acoustic set has become one of the most anticipated parts of the tour. On guitar, she treated us to “Haunted” followed by “Wonderland,” joking that the latter was “perfect for Canada, eh?” thanks to its catchy “(Eh, eh, eh, eh, eh) in Wonderland” lyrics. Then, at the piano, she gave an emotional performance of “Never Grow Up” and “The Best Day,” leaving many of us misty-eyed.
- Midnights Era: Closing out the night with the dreamy, synthy vibes of “Anti-Hero” and “Karma.”
Each era was distinct, with Taylor’s costumes, staging, and choreography perfectly tailored to match the vibe. The transitions between eras were especially stunning, beautiful tableaux that often showcased the incredible talent of her dancers, who added depth and magic to each shift in tone, making the experience feel seamless and theatrical. The setlist was a marathon with over three hours and 40+ songs, but every moment felt deliberate and unforgettable.
Production Value Like No Other
I’ve been to a lot of concerts (already over 100 this year), but the production value of The Eras Tour is in a league of its own. The stage stretched across the stadium with a massive screen ensuring everyone had a great view. The visuals were breathtaking, from the enchanted forest of Folkmore to the lofty clouds of “Lavender Haze.” The way the lighting, pyrotechnics, and stage transformations worked in harmony was incredible. And don’t even get me started on the bracelets that lit up in sync with the music. Standing in the crowd felt like being part of a living work of art.
The sheer scale of this tour is staggering. By the end of 2024, it’s estimated that Taylor will have brought over $2 billion from ticket sales and merchandise, making it one of the most profitable tours in history.
Why It’s A Show For Everyone
Confession time: I’m not the kind of fan who knows every Taylor lyric (I’m showing my age here, but Spice Girls will always hold that title for me), but even so, this was one of the best shows I’ve ever attended. Taylor’s charisma and storytelling make her songs accessible even if you’re not a die-hard fan. The energy of the crowd, the flawless production, and the sheer joy of the night make it impossible not to have fun.
As I left the stadium with my voice hoarse and my arms full of new bracelets, I couldn’t stop smiling. And guess what? I’ll be back for Night 2 today. Bring it on, Taylor!
We would like to thank Taylor and her team for having us at their show.
Concerts Reviews
LIVE REVIEW: LP Brings ‘All Is Not Lost’ Tour to Vancouver
On September 5, multi platinum singer-songwriter LP brought the All Is Not Lost Tour to Vancouver’s Queen Elizabeth Theatre, delivering a performance that moved effortlessly between vulnerability, power, and pure rock-and-roll energy. The night also carried a special significance: the tour celebrates the 10th anniversary of Lost on You, the record that helped transform LP from a respected songwriter into a global phenomenon.
Known professionally as LP, Laura Pergolizzi has spent years carving out a space that is uniquely their own. Before becoming internationally recognized as a recording artist, LP established themselves as a songwriter for major artists including Rihanna, Christina Aguilera, and Celine Dion. Their own breakthrough came with “Lost on You,” which went to No. 1 in 18 countries and eventually surpassed one billion Spotify streams.
Inside the Queen Elizabeth Theatre, LP’s music felt much more immediate. Their unmistakable voice moved from restrained and intimate to explosive within moments, giving songs such as “Muddy Waters,” “The One That You Love,” and “Lost on You” a sense of urgency that is difficult to recreate outside of a live setting.
The evening’s setlist reflected both sides of LP’s career. The first part moved through newer material and familiar favourites, including “Shelly,” “Tokyo Sunrise,” “Love Is All I Have,” and “Chasing & Waiting.” Later, the performance shifted toward the Lost on You celebration, bringing some of LP’s most recognizable songs into the spotlight.
It was the kind of moment that makes a concert feel bigger than the room. The song that introduced LP’s voice to millions became a shared experience between artist and audience, with the theatre singing along to every familiar line. After nearly a decade of the song living its own life around the world, hearing it performed in a packed Vancouver theatre gave it a renewed sense of intimacy.
From behind the camera, there was another layer to the experience. Photographing LP meant constantly watching for the moments between the obvious ones. The dramatic poses and powerful vocals naturally create striking frames, but some of the strongest images came from the quieter details, the concentration before a verse, a hand wrapped around the microphone, a fleeting expression beneath the stage lights.
LP is an artist who gives a photographer plenty to work with. Their movement across the stage feels instinctive rather than choreographed, and their performance style carries the same unpredictability as their voice. One moment can feel completely still; the next can explode into movement.
That contrast became one of the defining visual elements of the Vancouver show. The Queen Elizabeth Theatre also suited the performance. Rather than feeling distant or oversized, the venue allowed the audience to remain close to the emotional centre of the show. LP could command the room without having to overwhelm it.
There was also a sense of celebration throughout the night. Ten years after Lost on You, LP is still performing the songs that changed the trajectory of their career while continuing to introduce audiences to what’s next. The tour combines material from the upcoming album with a special presentation of Lost on You in its entirety, making the show feel like both a look backward and a step forward.
That balance is what made the Vancouver performance so compelling. LP isn’t simply revisiting an old record. They are showing how those songs have evolved with them and how they continue to resonate with an audience that has grown alongside their music.
By the final moments of the night, the feeling in the theatre was less like watching an artist celebrate an anniversary and more like witnessing a career still in motion.
For me, photographing LP in Vancouver was an opportunity to capture that evolution in real time: the voice, the movement, the vulnerability, and the electricity that has made LP such a distinctive live performer.
Ten years after Lost on You, the LP still has something to say and judging by the way Vancouver listened, people are still more than willing to hear it.
Check out our favourite photos of the night below or head to our Facebook page for the full gallery!
LP
All Photo Credit: Raphael Arthur
Concerts Reviews
LIVE REVIEW: Icons Deep Purple & Kansas Bring A Legendary Celebratory Night of Surprises To Abbotsford’s Rogers Forum
I don’t say this lightly, but both Deep Purple and Kansas absolutely put on a hell of a show. Since 1968, Deep Purple have basically been the godfathers of live rock performance. Don’t believe me? Go look up their Guinness World Record for “loudest concert,” which they snagged back in 1972. That same energy, that same wall of sound, made the trip across five decades and landed right here for the band’s headlining North American tour stop in Abbotsford. Original drummer Ian Paice is still holding it down, now joined by guitarist Simon McBride, bassist Roger Glover, keyboardist Don Airey, and vocalist Ian Gillan. Sure, only one original member remains, but somehow the whole group still nails the spirit of what made Deep Purple, well, Deep Purple.
They tore through 16 tracks that night. “Smoke on the Water” got the loudest reaction of the evening, no surprise there. “Diablo” and “Perfect Strangers” also landed big, and “Highway Star” kicked the whole thing off on an absolute high. And when I say the crowd was into it, I mean it. Fans who’ve followed this band for almost fifty years were pressed right up against the barrier trying to get as close as possible. That closeness paid off too, with an incredible light show and Simon McBride ripping through solo after solo. Honestly, McBride was the highlight more than once, stepping up so Gillan could catch his breath between songs. Given how much those vocals demand, that rest was more than earned.
Like I said, “Smoke on the Water” was the main event for Abbotsford. It’s one thing to describe it, but actually watching the buildup, seeing the bandmates grinning at each other because they knew exactly what was coming, that was priceless. Then those notes kicked in. You know the ones. Every Guitar Center employee’s nightmare. The whole arena became one voice, singing along to a guitar riff like it was a chorus. It was the moment of the night, the kind of thing every rock fan dreams about experiencing live. That wave of energy carried all the way through to the final song, “Hush.” If you were a millennial who spent way too much time on Guitar Hero 2, hearing this one live gave you full goosebumps. This was the band’s first big hit back in 1968, and in 2026 it still hits just as hard. The crowd treated it like more than an encore. It felt like everyone in that room knew they might not get another chance to see Deep Purple live, and they soaked in every second of it. When the house lights finally came up, Abbotsford just stood there in awe. Deep Purple‘s legendary status was on full display, and nobody in that crowd wanted the night to end.
Check out our favourite photos of the night below or head to our Facebook page for the full gallery!
DEEP PURPLE
KANSAS
All Photo Credit: Marquise Monno