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: aespa Close North American Tour With a Futuristic Spectacle in Vancouver
My K-pop education continued on October 11 as aespa brought their SYNK : COMPLæXITY Tour to Rogers Arena in Vancouver. After seeing TWICE in January and IVE in August, this was my third concert foray into K-pop. I was excited to see how aespa would compare, and the answer was a little different from my first two experiences. Where TWICE brought the fun and IVE delivered its own polished pop spectacle, aespa leaned into futuristic visuals, heavy electronic production and choreography that rarely let up.
With no opening act, the stage belonged entirely to Karina, Winter, Giselle and Ningning. Vancouver marked the final stop of the North American leg before the group heads to Europe in January, making this the last chance for fans on this side of the Atlantic to see the production for a while.
There had been some concern about Giselle’s participation after she left the stage five songs into the group’s October 9 show at Climate Pledge Arena in Seattle. Thankfully, she was back in Vancouver. Both she and Winter mentioned having a cold, but you wouldn’t have known it from their performances. Neither appeared to let it get in the way, and both delivered strong performances throughout the night.
The show opened with “LEMONADE,” immediately filling Rogers Arena with heavy bass, electronic beats and futuristic visuals. The production was massive, but the sound mix occasionally worked against the group. At points, the bass threatened to overpower the vocals, which was frustrating when four singers this capable were onstage.
“Switchblade” and “Whiplash” kept the momentum going before aespa reached back to its 2020 debut single, “Black Mamba.” The choreography remained sharp, and the group’s ability to move between demanding routines and vocal passages without losing its composure was impressive. “WDA (Whole Different Animal)” brought a harder hip-hop edge, with Giselle’s rap standing out against the heavy production.
The concert was divided into five acts, with cinematic video segments building on the group’s fictional universe. The story occasionally felt like a lot to keep up with, particularly for someone who hasn’t followed every chapter of aespa‘s mythology. Still, the visuals gave the show a clear identity. The production had a narrative thread running through it.
The second act offered a welcome change of pace. Karina introduced “Count on Me” on a piano, leading into a softer arrangement that let the members’ voices take centre stage. “Camouflage” and “Angel #48” continued the dreamier stretch. These moments were a reminder that aespa doesn’t need a wall of bass and flashing screens to hold an audience’s attention.
The solo and duet stages were among my favourite parts of the night. Giselle and Ningning brought a relaxed feel to “Lollipop,” while Karina and Winter took a more energetic approach with “Serenade.” Each pairing had its own character, making the performances feel distinct rather than like variations on the same routine.
The four solo performances gave the members even more room to show what they could do. Ningning’s “I Love You But I Gotta Let You Go” built from restrained verses into soaring high notes, while Karina’s “16 Bit” relied on a more understated, moody delivery. Giselle showed a softer side on “BYEB4HELLO,” moving beyond her usual rap role, and Winter’s “Saddle Up” put her choreography and stage confidence front and centre.
These performances made a strong case for the individual personalities within aespa. The group’s sleek, coordinated image is part of its appeal, but seeing the members step outside that format made the concert more interesting.
The heavier material returned with “Armageddon” and “Bite,” followed by a run of choreography-driven performances including “Next Level,” “SHAKIN’” and “Supernova.” The dancers added scale to the show, and the synchronized routines looked particularly effective against the digital scenery. By this point, the production had made its point: aespa knows how to turn its music into a full arena experience.
The pre-encore dance challenge was a fun change of pace, with cameras scanning the crowd and giving fans a chance to show off their moves on the big screens. The segment ended with an (shy) audience singalong to “Roll” before aespa returned for “Yeppi Yeppi” and “’Til We Die.”
As someone still getting to know K-pop, I appreciated the range. The spectacle was impressive, but the quieter songs and individual stages stopped the night from becoming one long sensory overload. The sound mix could have been better, and some of the storyline went over my head, but those were minor complaints in a show packed with strong performances.
TWICE got me curious about K-pop, and IVE gave me another reason to keep exploring it. aespa made a convincing case for sticking around. Their Vancouver show was loud, visually striking and full of personality, with four performers who could hold Rogers Arena’s attention even when the production threatened to steal it. That’s a solid way to close out a North American tour.
Upcoming Aespa – SYNK : COMPLæXITY’ World Tour Dates:
01/14 – Manchester, United Kingdom @ AO Arena
01/16 – London, United Kingdom @ The O2
01/19 – Amsterdam, Netherlands @ Ziggo Dome
01/22 – Stockholm, Sweden @ Avicii Arena
01/24 – Copenhagen, Denmark @ Royal Arena
01/26 – Berlin, Germany @ Uber Arena
01/29 – Milan, Italy @ Unipol Dome
01/31 – Barcelona, Spain @ Palau Sant Jordi
02/02 – Paris, France @ Accor Arena
More information here.
Concerts Reviews
LØLØ Brings her ‘God Forbid a Girl Goes on Tour’ to the Pearl in Vancouver
LØLØ brought her second headlining tour – aptly named “God Forbid a Girl Goes on Tour” – to Vancouver this week, a first for the Canada-born artist. We’ve been a fan since we first heard “Death Wish” back in 2021, which seems like it was yesterday, and we aren’t going to overthink that right now. That being said, we’ve been waiting a long time for this night, and what a show!
We’ve been frequenting The Pearl more and more lately, and like so many others this show was sold out and packed wall-to-wall. There was a small mob for the first opener of the night, Dawson Gamble, and the floor was packed by the time Con the Artist took the stage. When LØLØ appeared, it was all plaid miniskirts and devil horns from the stage to the merch booth.
When the lights went down, LØLØ’s voice boomed over the speakers, narrating excerpts from a journal. LØLØ is not a choreographed, over-polished pop princess. Like so many artists that grew their audience from nothing, she does her best to connect with individuals in the audience. She takes her time, holds their hands, and during one memorable song, brings them on stage to dance.
“I think that people don’t want perfection,” she told Rolling Stone earlier this year. “They just want to see a live show and a special moment.”
LØLØ was very upfront about her adventures online, finding her voice, and time spent during COVID, and from the vibe you have to assume the audience had been there with her the entire time. From “The Floor is Lava” to “Faceplant,” all the hits were covered and sung along to. Speaking of which…
Must Hear Songs by LØLØ (In Our Humble Opinion):
• “death wish” (Single, 2021)
• “Hot Girls in Hell” (falling for robots, 2023)
• “u turn me on (but you give me depression)” (falling for robots, 2023)
• “Let It Go” (A Whole New Sound (Disney), 2024)
Fun fact: LØLØ was featured on a 2024 Disney punk album alongside Simple Plan, Magnolia Park, and Yellow Card, to name a few iconic bands. Check out her version of “Let It Go” from “Frozen.” It’s unexpected and a lot of fun.
LØLØ ‘s first moment of viral fame was her cover of “Hey There Delilah,” updated and sung from Delilah’s perspective. Pulling Con the Artist back on stage for a duet gave the crowd a wonderful, heartfelt moment that was honestly quite touching. Not everyone’s favorite song, but a lovely moment for everyone in the audience.
LØLØ, with several incredible songs in her library and with a stack of “Warped Tour” appearances already in the books, seems poised to breakthrough to the next level. She’s electric on stage, and animated, and we can only dream of the day she is given more space to play. Until then, another highlight concert of 2026, and something to think about until her next visit!
LØLØ Setlist:
• the devil wears converse
• pretty little wreck
• god forbid a girl spits out her feelings!
• THE FLOOR IS LAVA!
• debbie downer
• me with no shirt on
• the punisher
• 2 of us
• u turn me on (but u give me depression)
• faceplant
• Hey There Delilah
• death wish
• delusional darling
• junkie
• DON’T!
• dumbest girl in the world
• wish i was a robot
• hot girls in hell
Check out our favourite photos of the night below or head to our Facebook page for the full gallery. Thanks for attending the show with us and for checking out our review!
LØLØ
All Photo Credit: Jason Martin