Concerts Reviews
bb’s bonanza Charity Fest 2024 at the Malkin Bowl in Vancouver, BC – Review
On May 26, Vancouver’s hip-hop artist bbno$ hosted a special hometown show at the Malkin Bowl with all his friends, under the banner of bb’s bonanza. All proceeds from ticket sales will be donated to the Downtown Eastside Women’s Centre.
Despite the rain and somewhat cold temperature for the end of May, everyone was in high spirit and the venue filled out quickly with a sea of fans donning their rain jackets and mud-ready Blunstones, ready to party for over 5 hours. The stage was adorned with props reminding everyone of a medieval fair. LARP games were available for folks who wanted to immerse themselves in the universe.
The lineup featured established and up-and-coming artists: Jungle Bobby, Eric Reprid, Haviah Mighty, Joost Klein, Freddie Dredd, Yung Gravy, Baby Gravy and finally bbno$.
Check out our full gallery of the night on our Facebook page!
Jungle Bobby
Vancouver artist Jungle Bobby, who had joined bbno$ on the road for many years, started the day. In Bobby‘s own words on what the audience can expect from his sets: “They can expect flair. They can expect cinematic behavior. They can expect fun, just a really good time filled with love. They can expect to feel better leaving the show compared to when they walked in. They can expect good music and they can expect to dance.” And that’s exactly what he delivered! With his bouncy energy and colourful outfit, he was the perfect act to open the fest.
Eric Reprid
Up next was Canadian rapper Eric Reprid, aka Shi Yi Lu. Reprid releases all his music copyright-free, allowing anyone to use it in mixtapes, parties, YouTube, or TikTok videos, as long as they credit him. This generous approach has saved content creators money and increased his exposure. His song “Cold World” from the album of the same name was nominated for a Juno Award in 2021, making him the only completely independent artist in the category, although he didn’t win. The song’s catchy tune and Reprid‘s smooth delivery, combined with producer Marc Wavy’s versatile beats, rival those of major label artists. His sense of humour definitely carried through his set: “If you know the words of this song, don’t sing-along. It’s my song!”
Haviah Mighty
The only woman of the line-up was Haviah Mighty, a Canadian rapper from Brampton, ON. Haviah Mighty brought her dynamic energy to the stage where she performed tracks from her Juno-nominated album Stock Exchange. She showcased her swagger, flow, stage presence, and insightful rhymes. Her performance was both entertaining and enlightening. Haviah Mighty, already noted as a rising star in Canadian hip hop since her debut 13th Floor won the Polaris Music Prize in 2019, lived up to her reputation as one-to-watch.
Joost
Joost Klein, also known simply as Joost, is a Dutch rapper, singer, and content creator renowned for his eclectic musical style and humorous persona. His tracks blend elements of hip hop, pop, and electronic music with witty, often satirical lyrics. His breakout came with the single “Scandinavian Boy,” which showcased his unique approach to music and humor. He delivered an energetic performance and showcased his distinctive style. As expected, he performed his Eurovision 2024 song “Europapa” under the cheers of the crowd, as well as a new song in Dutch. Throughout the whole set, Joost was jumping all over the stage, repeatedly screaming “Canada!” in his mic – his way of showing appreciation for being here. bbno$ even made a quick appearance running across the stage with a Dutch flag.
Freddie Dredd
Freddie Dredd, aka Ryan Mitchel Chassels, is a Canadian rapper, producer, and internet personality hailing from Oshawa, Ontario. Known for his dark, gritty style and blending of hip-hop with horrorcore elements, Dredd has carved out a unique niche in the underground rap scene. His music often features lo-fi beats, eerie samples, and lyrics that explore themes of violence and the macabre, setting him apart with a distinctive sound. Despite his unconventional style, Freddie Dredd‘s music has achieved significant success, resonating with fans who appreciate his raw and unapologetic approach. His work continues to grow in popularity, marking him as a significant figure in the evolution of modern hip-hop.
Yung Gravy
Then came Young Gravy, an American rapper, singer, and songwriter known for his humorous lyrics and catchy beats. Hailing from Rochester, Minnesota, Young Gravy gained popularity in the late 2010s with his single “Mr. Clean” – that he obviously performed that night – and unique blend of hip-hop, trap, and vintage samples, often incorporating elements of soul and old-school music into his tracks. Young Gravy‘s music often features witty, irreverent lyrics that blend modern rap with nostalgic references, making him a distinctive figure in the hip-hop scene. His discography includes popular projects like “Snow Cougar” and “Sensational,” which have helped him amass a dedicated fan base and millions of streams. His charismatic stage presence and engaging performances set him apart and solidify his place as a rising star in contemporary hip-hop.
Baby Gravy
As the second-to-last act, Yung Gravy and bbno$ joined forces as Baby Gravy. The duo, already on their 3rd album, met 8 years ago through SoundCloud. Both put on a great show and got the fans jumping, dancing and singing-along every tracks. The duo performed their most notable songs like “Welcome to Chilis” and “Whip A Tesla”. They even brought back Freddie Dredd on stage for one song.
bbno$
bbno$, aka Alexander Leon Gumuchian, closed the night, dressed a court jester. The Vancouverite rapper, singer, and songwriter is known for his catchy, upbeat music and humorous, laid-back lyrical style. He first gained recognition in the late 2010s through the viral success of his collaborative singles and innovative use of social media platforms like TikTok.
His breakthrough came with the hit single “Lalala,” a collaboration with producer Y2K, which became a global sensation and amassed hundreds of millions of streams. bbno$‘s music often blends elements of hip-hop, pop, and electronic music, characterized by playful beats and witty, self-referential lyrics. bbno$ has built a dedicated fanbase and established himself as a prominent figure in the modern music scene.
He delivered a high-energy live performance that captivated audiences with his charismatic presence and infectious beats. With his playful and humorous lyrics, he engaged the crowd with a mix of witty banter and dynamic stage antics. He even brought a sword swallower on stage! He performed his new single “lil’ freak”, as well as many fan favourites like “Edamame”.
Overall, it was an evening of great tunes for a worthy cause, with a great line-up of many indie artists. As bbno$ pointed out, they all performed for free in order to give as much of the proceeds to the Vancouver Downtown Eastside Women’s Centre. Hints were dropped during the night that this might be the 1st edition of many Bonanza. We can’t wait for next year!
All Photo Credit: Caroline Charruyer
Concerts Reviews
LIVE REVIEW: Teddy Swims Brings Soul, Personality and Flying Hot Dogs to His First Vancouver Arena Show
Teddy Swims has come a long way from his first performances in Vancouver. After previously playing the Orpheum and returning last year for a show at Doug Mitchell Thunderbird Sports Centre, the Georgia-born singer-songwriter stepped up to Rogers Arena on November 6 for his first arena show in the city. Part of his UGLY Tour, the night was a chance to see just how much his audience has grown. Judging by the crowd, he has plenty of people coming along for the ride.
The evening opened with MarcLo, a singer, songwriter and producer whose songwriting credits include work connected to Dua Lipa, Miley Cyrus and Swims himself. Performing largely as a one-man band, he handled his instruments while moving around the stage and trying to get an arena crowd on board. It was an ambitious job for someone on his first tour, but he showed enough personality and potential to make an impression.
Allen Stone followed with a performance that brought a different kind of soul to the evening. His distinctive voice and natural stage presence made him a fitting addition to a lineup built around powerful vocals. By the time Swims took the stage, the audience was ready.
Born Jaten Dimsdale, Swims has built his career around a voice that’s hard to mistake. His mix of soul, R&B, pop and rock gives him plenty of room to move, but it’s that raspy, full-bodied delivery that makes him stand out. There is something slightly unexpected about hearing such a massive voice come from someone with such an easygoing, sometimes goofy personality. That contrast is a big part of his appeal.
The production matched the size of the venue. A multilevel stage inspired by Atlanta, complete with fire escapes, a graffiti-covered pay phone and a vintage hot dog stand, gave the performance a lived-in setting rather than the usual collection of screens and lighting effects. Swims made good use of it, moving between levels and treating the entire structure as part of the show.
His entrance set the tone, but the surprises kept coming. During “You’ve Got Another Thing Coming,” a hot dog cart appeared onstage. It wasn’t long before Swims was firing actual hot dogs into the audience using a modified cannon. It’s the sort of thing that sounds ridiculous on paper, and it was even funnier in person. Arena shows can sometimes take themselves a little too seriously. Swims clearly has no interest in doing that.
For all the theatrical moments, Swims‘ voice remained the main attraction. “The Door,” “Guilty” and “Bad Dreams” gave him plenty of opportunities to show his range, but the biggest response came with “Lose Control.” The song has become a worldwide hit, and the Vancouver audience made sure he knew it. Thousands of voices joined in, turning one of his biggest songs into a genuine arena-wide singalong.
The quieter moments were just as enjoyable. Midway through the show, Swims stepped away from the larger production for an acoustic section. Fans had been given the opportunity to request songs through a QR code before the performance, and he responded with selections that included “She Loves the Rain” and “I Can’t Make You Love Me.” Stripping things back gave his voice room to breathe and reminded everyone that he doesn’t need an elaborate stage setup to hold an audience’s attention.
There was plenty of crowd interaction throughout the evening, too. Swims regularly collected signs from fans and signed them while continuing to sing. Somehow, he managed to do this without losing his place or missing a beat. It was a small detail, but it said a lot about his comfort onstage. His interactions felt spontaneous rather than like another rehearsed part of the production.
That personality is what makes Swims such an entertaining performer. He can go from delivering a powerful vocal performance to joking around with the crowd in seconds. He doesn’t seem particularly interested in maintaining the distance that can come with playing a venue this size. Even at Rogers Arena, he managed to make the evening feel surprisingly personal.
His performance wasn’t short on big moments, and there were times when the production threatened to compete with the music. But the balance between the spectacle, the humour and the stripped-down performances worked. Swims has the voice to fill an arena, and the personality to make the people in it feel like they’re part of the show.
Going from the Orpheum to Doug Mitchell Thunderbird Sports Centre and now Rogers Arena is a pretty good indication of how far he’s come in Vancouver. His first arena appearance felt like a natural next step, and he made the most of it.
Between the powerhouse vocals, the crowd singalongs, the unexpected theatrics and the flying hot dogs, Teddy Swims gave Vancouver a thoroughly entertaining night. If this is what his first arena show here looks like, I’d be curious to see what he has planned for the next one.
Check out our favourite photos of the night below or head to our Facebook page for the full gallery!
Upcoming The Ugly Tour Dates:
November 8 – Portland, OR @ Moda Center
November 10 – San Francisco, CA @ Chase Center
November 11 – Sacramento, CA @ Golden 1 Center
November 13 – San Diego, CA @ Pechanga Arena San Diego
November 14 – Las Vegas, NV @ T-Mobile Arena
November 16 – Phoenix, AZ @ Mortgage Matchup Center
November 18 – Los Angeles, CA @ Kia Forum
More information at teddyswims.com.
TEDDY SWIMS IN VANCOUVER
All Photo Credit: Raphael Arthur
Concerts Reviews
LIVE REVIEW: Mario Hats, R&B Hits, and Bryson Tiller – The Neo Trapsoul Tour Hits Vancouver
There was no shortage of entertainment before Bryson Tiller even stepped onstage at Rogers Arena on October 30. With Austin Millz, Ty Dolla $ign and Majid Jordan on the bill, Vancouver got a pretty generous serving of R&B and hip-hop before the headliner arrived. By the time Tiller finally took over, the crowd was ready. And judging by the number of Mario hats scattered throughout the arena, plenty of fans had come prepared for more than just the music.
The Neo Trapsoul Tour has become something of a Mario-themed party, thanks to Tiller‘s viral Halloween costume from a few years ago. The running joke has turned into a full-fledged concert challenge, with fans bringing Mario hats to Austin Millz in hopes of earning upgraded pit tickets or even backstage access from Tiller. Vancouver clearly got the memo. Mario costumes, red hats and signs could be spotted throughout the crowd, with fans hoping to catch Millz‘s attention.
The evening started with Millz behind the decks, setting the pace with an upbeat DJ set. It was his birthday, giving the Vancouver stop an extra reason to celebrate. Ty Dolla $ign followed, arriving in costume for the Halloween-eve show. His appearance brought a change of energy, leaning into the hip-hop side of the lineup with a set built around familiar hits, plenty of crowd participation, and a walk among the crowd.
Majid Jordan took things in another direction. The Toronto duo brought its atmospheric brand of R&B to Rogers Arena, offering a smoother contrast to the preceding sets. Their performance was a reminder of just how much ground the lineup covered musically. With songs like “Hold On, We’re Going Home” and “Stars Align,” the duo had no trouble getting the audience singing along.
Millz returned to the soundboard for another quick DJ set after Majid Jordan, keeping the energy up and the crowd occupied as the arena waited for Tiller.
The headliner arrived with a catalogue that has spent the better part of a decade becoming part of people’s lives. The tour celebrates the legacy of T R A P S O U L, the 2015 debut that helped establish Tiller as one of the defining voices in contemporary R&B. Its blend of hazy production, trap-influenced beats and vulnerable songwriting still feels recognizable today, even as the genre has moved through countless trends since its release.
There was plenty of material from the album, but Tiller wasn’t interested in making the night a straight anniversary performance. His set moved through different stages of his career, mixing the slower, more intimate R&B that first attracted fans with the harder-edged material from his later releases, all with a Dune-adjacent theme backed by an incredible production.
When “Don’t” arrived, the audience was ready to take over. The same happened with “Exchange,” “Could’ve Been” and “Playing Games.” These are songs that don’t need much introduction anymore. Tiller could have easily stepped back and let Rogers Arena handle the vocals, and there were moments when the crowd seemed more than happy to do exactly that.
That’s the interesting part about celebrating T R A P S O U L ten years later. For some, these songs are reminders of a particular time in their lives. For others, they’re simply great R&B records that have managed to stick around. Either way, the reaction was immediate.
Tiller‘s newer material gave the performance some necessary movement. The contrast between his soulful, slower tracks and the more aggressive production of his recent work kept the set from becoming one long nostalgia trip. His 2025 double album, Solace & The Vices, explored those two sides of his sound, with Solace leaning into R&B and The Vices taking a more rap-driven approach. That split was reflected in the concert, showing an artist who hasn’t been content to recreate the same album for the last decade.
The Mario hats added a fun bit of personality to an otherwise familiar arena concert format. It’s a small thing, but these kinds of fan-driven traditions give a tour its own identity. And with Vancouver being the second-to-last stop of the North American leg before Tiller heads to Europe in November, the crowd had plenty of reason to make the most of the night.
Ten years after T R A P S O U L introduced Bryson Tiller to the world, its songs still carry plenty of weight. The challenge for any artist with an album that influential is finding a way to celebrate it without becoming trapped by it. In Vancouver, Tiller showed he has more to offer than memories of 2015. The old songs still hit, the newer material has its place, and apparently, a Mario hat might get you closer to the stage.
Check out our favourite photos of the night below or head to our Facebook page for the full gallery!
Head here for more information about Bryson Tiller – The Neo Trapsoul Tour.
BRYSON TILLER
MAJID JORDAN
TY DOLLA $IGN
AUSTIN MILLZ
FANS
All Photo Credit: Caroline Charruyer