Festivals
Phillips Backyard Music Festival – Day 3 Recap & Photos
The final day of Phillips Backyard Music Festival brought another full afternoon and evening of music, giving fans one last chance to enjoy one of British Columbia’s best summer festivals. After two successful days, the crowds returned in large numbers, and there was little sign that anyone was running out of energy.
Darrian Gerard opened the Main Stage, welcoming early arrivals with an upbeat performance that got the final day started on the right foot. Shortly afterward, Amulet began the Music BC Stage programming before Fake Shark took over the Main Stage. The Vancouver rock band got the audience moving quickly, as usual. Their fast-paced set injected fresh energy into the afternoon and produced one of the liveliest crowds of the day.
Both stages remained busy with performances from Infidelity, the highly anticipated Angine de Poitrine, Chopping Spree, and Runner. One of the strengths of Phillips Backyard has always been its commitment to showcasing artists from British Columbia alongside nationally recognized names, and Sunday’s schedule reflected that balance well. Fans who wandered between stages were rewarded with several impressive discoveries throughout the afternoon.
Wolf Parade returned to Victoria with a performance that reminded everyone why the band continues to hold such an important place in Canadian indie rock. Their songs translated well to the outdoor setting, and longtime fans sang along throughout the set. The band sounded tight, confident, and completely in control, making their performance one of the standout moments before the headliner.
Modest Mouse closed the festival with exactly the kind of performance many fans had been waiting all weekend to see. Their set mixed well-known favourites with deeper cuts, keeping longtime listeners happy while giving newer fans a chance to experience one of indie rock’s defining live acts. The band’s sound filled the festival grounds, and the audience stayed engaged until the final notes.
As the last songs ended, it was clear that Phillips Backyard had delivered another successful edition. The festival once again struck the right balance between established touring artists and homegrown talent, giving both equal opportunities to connect with the audience. Combined with excellent weather, smooth organization, quality food and drinks, and a relaxed setting that encouraged people to stay all day, the festival closed its 2026 edition on a high note.
Check out our favourite photos of the day below or head to our Facebook page for the full gallery! You can find our recap and photos of Day 1 here and Day 2 here.
MODEST MOUSE
WOLF PARADE
RUNNER
CHOPPING SPREE
ANGINE DE POITRINE
INFIDELITY
FAKE SHARK
AMULET
DARRIAN GERARD
FESTIVAL
All Photo Credit: Kelli Rothwell
Festivals
PNE Summer Night Concerts – Nelly
Nelly brought a career-spanning party to Vancouver’s Freedom Mobile Arch on August 26 as part of the PNE Summer Night Concerts, packing more than two decades of hits into a fast-moving set.
DJ Trife got things started with the Derrty Entertainment logo filling the big screens, then quickly brought out the headliner with little buildup. Nelly opened with “Where the Party At,” the Jagged Edge collaboration that launched straight into a run of familiar tracks. “E.I.,” “Air Force Ones,” “Shake Ya Tailfeather,” and “Batter Up” arrived early, with music video clips playing behind him and keeping the show firmly rooted in the era that made him a household name.
The Country Grammar material landed particularly well. Nelly performed the album’s title track with an added beat switch. The set also moved through his later musical evolution. A country-leaning stretch included “Hey Porsche,” “Cruise,” and “Lil Bit,” showing the range of an artist who has spent years crossing between hip-hop, pop, R&B, and country. He continued jumping through his catalogue with tracks such as “Pimp Juice,” “Grillz,” and “Move That Body.”
The biggest singalongs came near the end. “Hot In Herre” turned the Freedom Mobile Arch into a full-on party, followed by a phone-lit performance of “Dilemma.” Nelly closed with “Just a Dream,” ending the show abruptly after roughly an hour with no encore.
The short runtime may have left some fans wanting more, but the crowd still got what they came for: a greatest-hits-heavy celebration of an artist whose music has reached multiple generations.
Check out our favourite photos of the night below or head to our Facebook page for the full gallery!
NELLY
All Photo Credit: Caroline Charruyer
Festivals
PNE Summer Night Concerts – The Beaches
The Beaches have a knack for making a concert feel like hanging out with your funniest friends. Their August 25 stop at the Freedom Mobile Arch, part of the PNE Summer Night Concerts, was no exception.
Before The Beaches even took the stage, they paid tribute to Dolly Parton, who sadly passed away earlier that day. A photo of Parton was displayed on the venue’s big screen, while an extra microphone stand sat onstage with a white cowboy hat resting on top. Dolly’s music played through the venue before the show, making the tribute feel like a quiet but fitting send-off from one group of musicians to another.
This was my third time seeing the Toronto rockers in the past year, with the most recent being their set at All Things Go Toronto earlier this summer. Somehow, they still manage to make every show feel fresh. The songs are catchy, the musicianship is tight, and the banter is half the fun.
Frontwoman Jordan Miller has a natural way of connecting with a crowd. She jokes about relationships, asks for stories from the audience and turns the space into something that feels more like group therapy than a standard rock show. Before “Did I Say Too Much,” Leandra joked that she invited her ex to go to Whistler while they were in Vancouver, shaking her head in shame as the crowd laughed.
The night got a fun surprise when the cast of Off Campus joined the band on stage. A nod to their song “Edge of the Earth” that went viral on social media after appearing on the show.
Of course, “Blame Brett” remained one of the biggest moments of the night. Miller’s invitation to blame the exes was met with a massive response, turning the song into a full-room singalong.
The four members are just as comfortable showing off their musical chops. Kylie Miller and Leandra Earl traded guitar work throughout the set, with the solos during “Can I Call You in the Morning?” standing out.
Three shows in, I still easily understand the appeal. The Beaches know how to write songs people want to sing, but they know how to put on a show, too. At the PNE, they delivered another fun and entertaining night.
Check out our favourite photos of the night below or head to our Facebook page for the full gallery!
THE BEACHES
All Photo Credit: Caroline Charruyer