Festivals
PNE Summer Night Concerts 2025 – Bleachers
Bleachers brought their From the Studio to the Stage tour to the Pacific Coliseum on August 19, turning the cavernous venue into something that felt both like a stadium party and a living room hangout.
The set began with a triple punch from their latest self-titled album: “I Am Right on Time,” “Modern Girl,” and “Jesus Is Dead,” before the room truly erupted on “How Dare You Want More.” Frontman Jack Antonoff paced the stage like he was plugged directly into the crowd’s energy, feeding off the cheers and saxophone blasts that have become a Bleachers trademark.
The night stretched across the band’s catalog, pulling in older staples like “Everybody Lost Somebody” and “Chinatown,” while spotlighting new material that’s already connecting live. In a surprise turn, Antonoff led the band through a cover of The Waterboys’ “The Whole of the Moon,” giving the night a rock edge that nodded to one of his clearest influences.
Midway through, the band cleared out for an acoustic break. Antonoff stood alone for a tender “Merry Christmas, Please Don’t Call,” followed by a short but stirring take on Lana Del Rey’s “Margaret,” a reminder of his ties to the pop world beyond Bleachers.
But this show wasn’t built on quiet moments alone. “Rollercoaster” and “Let’s Get Married” lifted the energy before the inevitable explosion of “I Wanna Get Better” and “Don’t Take the Money.” By the time the final notes of “Stop Making This Hurt” rang out, complete with a blazing sax outro, it was clear Bleachers had wrung every ounce of joy and grief out of their catalog.
Antonoff might spend most of his year behind the glass producing hits for others, but nights like this prove the stage is where his songs truly come alive.
Check out our favourite photos of the night below or head to our Facebook page for the full gallery!
BLEACHERS
All Photo Credit: Caroline Charruyer
Festivals
FIFA Fan Festival Vancouver – Kaytranada
The FIFA Fan Festival™ at the PNE closed out another memorable week on Sunday with the biggest match in world football and a fitting musical finale. Fans packed the site well before kickoff, creating a sea of jerseys, flags, and face paint as they gathered to watch the 2026 FIFA World Cup Final between Spain and Argentina. Every big chance was met with gasps and cheers, and when Spain secured the victory, the celebrations spread across the festival grounds as supporters soaked in the final moments of a month-long tournament.
There was little time for the excitement to settle before the day’s entertainment shifted from football to live music. Montreal’s Kaytranada took over the Amphitheatre stage, giving fans one last reason to keep the energy going after the trophy presentation. Known for blending house, hip-hop, R&B, and electronic music into a sound that feels uniquely his own, Kaytranada delivered exactly the kind of set the festival needed to close the weekend.
With Spain crowned world champions and Kaytranada providing the soundtrack to the celebration, the FIFA Fan Festival wrapped up another successful day at the PNE. It was a reminder that throughout the tournament, football and music proved to be the perfect combination, bringing thousands of people together to celebrate on and off the pitch.
Check out our favourite photos of the night below or head to our Facebook page for the full gallery!
fsfs
All Photo Credit: Caroline Charruyer
Festivals
FIFA Fan Festival Vancouver – The Dead South, Jesse Roper, Colin James
The FIFA Fan Festival™ at the PNE Grounds delivered another full day of football and live music on Saturday, July 18, as fans packed the site to watch the FIFA World Cup third-place match before spending the afternoon discovering Canadian talent across the festival stages.
The day opened with one last piece of World Cup drama before the tournament finale. England defeated France in the third-place match, giving English supporters plenty to celebrate before the music began. Groups wearing England shirts could be spotted throughout the grounds after the final whistle, adding to the lively atmosphere that has become a daily feature of the Fan Festival.
Once the football wrapped up, the focus shifted to the Amphitheatre and Park Stage. Vancouver’s own Jesse Roper was among the first artists we caught, bringing his signature blues-rock sound to an enthusiastic crowd. His guitar work and easy stage presence made for a strong start to the afternoon, with plenty of fans gathering in front of the stage despite a full day of entertainment still ahead.
Over on the Park Stage, Canadian blues-rock legend Colin James reminded everyone why he has remained one of the country’s most respected performers for decades. His set mixed polished musicianship with plenty of groove, drawing listeners of all ages who appreciated every guitar solo and familiar chorus.
The Dead South closed out the day. The Saskatchewan quartet’s blend of bluegrass, folk and country proved to be a perfect fit for the outdoor setting. Fans sang along, clapped in time and danced throughout the performance.
With the World Cup final less than 24 hours away, there was already a sense that the tournament was nearing its conclusion. Even so, July 18 showed that the FIFA Fan Festival remained much more than a place to watch football. It continued to bring together sport, live music and community in a way that has made it one of Vancouver’s standout events of the summer.
Check out our favourite photos of the night below or head to our Facebook page for the full gallery!
THE DEAD SOUTH
JESSE ROPER
COLIN JAMES
FANS
All Photo Credit: Caroline Charruyer