Concerts Reviews
A Cinematic Odyssey: Hans Zimmer Live at Rogers Arena in Vancouver – Live Review
“Vancouver is THE place!” exclaimed Hans Zimmer. And he was right. On Sunday night, Vancouver was the place to be as Zimmer brought his Hans Zimmer Live tour to Rogers Arena, delivering an unforgettable evening of cinematic music magic. With a nearly sold-out crowd eagerly awaiting the legendary composer, Zimmer and his ensemble of virtuoso musicians transported the audience through some of the most iconic soundtracks in film history. From the intense depths of Dune to the rousing swells of Pirates of the Caribbean and the emotional highs of The Lion King, this was not just a concert—it was a symphonic spectacle.
Opening the night with Dune’s “House Atreides,” the piercing, haunting voice of Loire Cotler filled the arena, immediately captivating the audience. As Cotler’s soaring vocals gave way to the pulsating rhythms of Zimmer‘s ensemble, the mood was set for an evening that would oscillate between serenity and chaos, intensity and beauty. The incredible lighting and visuals on the LED screen only heightened the experience, making each moment feel cinematic in its own right.
Zimmer’s ability to blend genres was on full display. The transition from the powerful and dissonant Wonder Woman theme—driven by Tina Guo’s fierce cello performance—to the delicate, heartbreaking notes of Interstellar kept the audience on the edge of their seats. Guo, a standout performer throughout the night, played with raw emotion summoning the energy of the entire arena.
Zimmer’s humor and charisma shone in his frequent interactions with the audience, whether recounting funny stories from his time in Hollywood or lavishing praise on his bandmates, like guitarist Guthrie Govan, whose blistering solo during Man of Steel drew thunderous applause.
Zimmer also made sure to give space for each of his talented musicians to shine. Pedro Eustache’s woodwinds and Lisa Gerrard’s voice added an ethereal quality to Gladiator‘s suite, while the Ukrainian Odessa Opera Orchestra’s lush strings enriched the emotional depth of the night. The ensemble, representing a mosaic of international talent, brought an authenticity and human touch. It was clear that this concert was as much about celebrating the talents of his collaborators as it was about Zimmer himself.
One of the night’s most touching moments came during The Lion King suite, led by the iconic vocals of Lebo M. Performing “Circle of Life” alongside his daughter Refi, the duo filled the arena with the warmth of their voices, as golden light cascaded down from the stage. It was a nostalgic moment for many, transporting the audience back to childhood memories of the beloved film.
Highlights of the second act included the tense, relentless suite from The Dark Knight, where Zimmer’s three-bassist arrangement rattled the arena in a way that was felt as much as it was heard. Zimmer joked about the extravagance of having three bassists afterward. The audience laughed, but it was moments like these that made the show so unforgettable—Zimmer’s blending of virtuosity, playfulness, and power.
As the concert neared its end, the crowd was treated to Interstellar’s “Cornfield Chase,” with its shimmering piano and expansive crescendos, and Inception’s “Time” where Zimmer’s introduced Nile Marr, guitarist and son of Johnny Marr.
Hans Zimmer’s performance in Vancouver was a demonstration of how a live concert can transcend expectations. For over two-and-half hours, Zimmer and his extraordinary band created a experience that left the audience spellbound. As the final notes faded and the audience roared in approval, it was clear why Zimmer is one of the greatest composers of our time.
Check out more photos of the night below or head to our Facebook page for the full gallery!
HANS ZIMMER
All Photo Credit: Caroline Charruyer
Concerts Reviews
LIVE REVIEW: Goldfinger Keep the Pit Moving and the Shoes Flying in Vancouver
On April 17th, the Commodore Ballroom in Vancouver felt like a ska-punk time warp, with California punk legends Goldfinger supporting their new album, Nine Lives.
Sullvn got things rolling with a set that didn’t waste any time. Within minutes, hats were flying into the crowd like it was a merch-based game show, and the vibe quickly turned into organized chaos. They brought to the stage Dicky Barrett, former frontman of Mighty Mighty Bosstones for their hit “Raise a Glass”.
Next up was Broadway Calls, proving once again that a three-piece can absolutely shake a room. Their brand of fast, hooky punk tore through the crowd, with songs like “Call It Off” and “Back to Oregon” landing like instant jolts of energy. By the time they wrapped, the room was fully ready for Goldfinger.
Right away, frontman John Feldmann started doing crowd math. “How many of you are under 20?” A few scattered hands. “Over 40?” A lot more hands. He laughed and proudly stated that to still be doing this 32 years later as the best feeling in the world. This wasn’t a band clinging to nostalgia… but they also weren’t about to ignore it.
From there, it turned into the kind of chaos Goldfinger shows are known for, a non-stop blur of songs, crowd surfers, and, of course, the sacred tradition of shoes flying through the air. Somewhere along the way, footwear stopped being optional and started being part of the performance. Pairs were held up like trophies, launched across the room, or lost to the pit entirely. If you managed to leave with both shoes still accounted for, honestly, that’s a personal victory. The setlist leaned into exactly what people wanted. “Here in Your Bedroom,” “Chasing Amy” “Counting the Days”, all the hits, all loud, all sung back at the band like it was a group project. The floor barely stayed still for more than a few seconds, and the security team definitely got their steps in from the steady stream of crowd surfers.
During “Mable,” they pulled fans up on stage to dance, turning the whole thing into a slightly chaotic, very wholesome party. And then… “Superman.” The reaction was instant. Like, no hesitation, full-body nostalgia. The second it started, it felt like half the room got mentally transported back to playing Tony Hawk’s Pro Skater 2 in their living rooms. Suddenly, everyone knew every word (even the ones they probably didn’t know they knew), and the energy somehow went up another level. It wasn’t just a highlight, it was the moment.
When it wrapped at the Commodore Ballroom, the place was wrecked in the best way – sweaty, shoeless, and buzzing. Still, no one seemed in any hurry to leave.
Check out our favourite photos of the night below or head to our Facebook page for the full gallery!
GOLDFINGER
BROADWAY CALLS
SULLVN
All Photo Credit: Heather Horncastle
Concerts Reviews
LIVE REVIEW: Face to Face with Sevendust in Riverside, Iowa
For close to thirty years, Hard Rock’s Sevendust has graced hundreds of stages all over the world, playing sell-out shows to rabid fans. The band, fronted by LaJon Witherspoon, has been recognized for its soulful vocals, hard-hitting riffs from Clint Lowery and John Connolly, thumping bass from Vince Hornsby, and monstrous drum sounds and screams from Morgan Rose. Riverside, Iowa was treated to the full Sevendust experience on Friday night.
The Riverside Casino Event Center has played host to events ranging from poker tournaments to keynote speakers, but on Friday it served as the setting for an amazing night of rock. The show started off with Iowa City–local band NonGrata. NonGrata has become very well known in the Eastern Iowa music scene, having opened for bands like Alien Ant Farm, Norma Jean, Archers, and will be opening for DED this summer. Blending groovy guitars with crisp clean vocals and harsh screams, the band delivers a sound that makes you want to jump out of your seat and stage dive. Although Sevendust was the main attraction on Friday night, everyone enjoyed NonGrata. They were a great choice to open the show and get people excited before Sevendust took the stage. NonGrata will be playing shows in Eastern Iowa throughout the year, and Midwest locals should take the chance to see a new band.
After an hour pre-show delay due to the weather, fans were itching to get out of their seats as anticipation for Sevendust taking the stage rose. Riverside was the second show of the One Tour, but there was no sign of early tour woes as the band broke right into Home. The 1999 track off the album of the same name was a great opener, carrying a hint of nostalgia and a whole lot of feeling. Witherspoon made an early effort to cross from side to side, ensuring every fan had the opportunity to interact with him. Stage presence is always among the highlights of a Sevendust show. Fans know they are going to get two things when they go to a Sevendust show: amazing music and plenty of interaction. The great music kept rolling as the second track of the night was a crowd favorite, Denial. The band was joined by hundreds of backup singers who knew every word, creating an ambiance that added essential energy to the environment.
The band seemed emotional in response to how well they were received by the Riverside crowd. After spending significant time in Europe to start the year, Sevendust said it was good to be home. Because these were among the first U.S. shows of the year, American fans had not yet had the opportunity to hear songs from the band’s upcoming album, One, live. The first chance came with the third song of the night, Is This the Real You. Although the Riverside crowd had never heard the song live, that did not stop them from singing along. Sevendust also played two other new tracks from the forthcoming album, Unbreakable and Threshold. Both sounded great live, and anticipation for the new album is high. Based on the reactions to the new material, the album will likely be well received when it comes out in two weeks on May 1.
The focus on new music did not stop Sevendust from breaking into its classics. The setlist was full of songs a Sevendust show would be incomplete without; Praise, Enemy, Waffle, and Black all had their place in the night. It truly was the complete Sevendust experience. The night could not end, however, without an encore of Rumble Fish and Face to Face. Even though the crowd was treated to a 15-song main set and a two-song encore, they still yearned for more. Unfortunately, all good shows must come to an end, but with 25 dates left on the One Tour, there will be plenty of opportunities to see Sevendust again this year.
One comes out May 1.
Check out our favorite photos of the night below or head to our Facebook page for the full gallery!
Upcoming tour dates:
4/20 – Indianapolis, IN
4/21 – Lexington, KY
4/22 – Birmingham, AL
4/24 – Mobile, AL
4/25 – Destin, FL
4/26 – Atlanta, GA (supporting Alter Bridge)
4/28 – Dallas, TX
4/29 – Oklahoma City, OK
More information on the band’s website.
SEVENDUST
NONGRATA
All Photo Credit: Ryan Renger