Concerts Reviews
Cigarettes After Sex at Rogers Arena in Vancouver – Live Review
On Sept. 27, 2024, Cigarettes After Sex brought their new headline world tour X’s World Tour to Vancouver’s Rogers Arena. The show was led by Greg Gonzalez — the founder of the El Paso dream pop trio. Gonzalez, a jack of all trades, is also a producer of their music, alongside being the lead vocalist, electric and acoustic guitarist. Joining him were Jacob Tomsky on drums and Randall Miller on bass.
While doors opened at 6:00 PM, the show didn’t start until 9:00 PM. Strangely, there was widespread confusion among the concertgoers about the concert beginning at 8:00 PM, leaving many fans visibly confused when their assumed start time came and went. Similar to their past tours, Cigarettes After Sex did not have an opener for the show, instead playing a series of songs alongside graphics and music videos. This established the first step of the calming vibe of the rest of the concert.
The show was mostly seated, with those in the occasional fan standing at their seats for a few short songs in addition to the half-empty pit. The energy of the crowd was a reflection of the dream-like nature of the performances — serene and introspective. Interestingly, there was a clear dress code that visibly fell into place without pre-planning; all-black attire. Throughout the venue, there were countless wearers of leather jackets and Doc Martens. Funnily enough, these outfits matched perfectly with that of the performers’. For once, I felt right at home with my all-black concert photographer attire.
“I’ve missed you, Vancouver! It’s so good to be back,” lead vocalist Greg Gonzalez stated shortly after the show began. The crowd full of over 15,000 attendees cheered loudly to the few comments Gonzalez made sparingly throughout the show but otherwise stayed rather quiet. The energy seemed to noticeably increase as songs such as “Cry,” “Sweet,” “Sunsetz,” “K.,” and “Apocalyse” were played.
The show lasted for just over 80 minutes. The musical skill of the artists was undeniable and flawless. The voice of the lead singer, known for his unique and androgynous sound, echoed through the arena, establishing a soothing, emotional vibe. It was impressive how the band was able to make an arena of over 15,000 feel like an intimate space. All the songs sounded uncannily similar to that of the recorded version, which is both surreal to hear and somewhat disappointing for those who expected more. The stage design was extremely minimal, with 3 large screens behind the artists alternating between a solid coloured background, black and white displays of the respective artists, or a simple nature video. The use of lighting design was the only use of fancy stage production — from vertical light beams forming pillars around the stage to shimmering disco balls. Coupled with the lack of fan interaction and talking in between songs, it was evident that this concert was simply a place for fans to enjoy music.
The lead vocalist interacted with fans more towards the end of the show by walking closer to the fans in the barricade to hand away guitar picks to those who could reach them. It was sweet how he never threw the guitar picks, choosing to gently pass them hand-to-hand, which was touching to watch. The band also exchanged some other trinkets with the crowd near the barricade, such as Tomsky’s drum sticks, Miller’s guitar picks, the show setlist printed on a piece of paper, and some gifts from fans. Besides this, most of the concert went without fan interaction. There was very little verbal communication from the band to the fans, with only one short introduction to the next song by Gonzalez. This helped create a sense of mysteriousness, but also confusion in newer fans.
Cigarettes After Sex in Vancouver, BC was overall a pretty good show. While some may be disappointed with the lack of production and fancy performances, many fans understand that this exact mysteriousness is what the band is known for and what makes them so loved. It’s amazing to see how much the band has grown since spontaneously recording their first EP in a four-story stairway at Gonzalez’s alma mater in 2008. I, for one, can’t wait to see what other music they put out in the future.
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All Photo Credit: Olivia Yu
Concerts Reviews
LIVE REVIEW: Let Your Freak Flag Fly: DEVO and The B-52s Bring the Weird to Rogers Arena
If there was ever a concert where you could show up wearing a red energy dome, a giant lobster costume, or something covered in sequins and somehow feel underdressed, it was Sunday night at Rogers Arena. DEVO and The B-52s brought their Cosmic De-Evolution Tour to Vancouver on September 27, turning the arena into a colourful, wonderfully weird collision of new wave, dance music, retro-futurism and pure camp. It was less like watching two bands from another era and more like being dropped into a very strange party that somehow never stopped being cool.
DEVO kicked things off with their signature visual style firmly intact. The yellow jumpsuits and unmistakable red energy dome hats made an appearance, along with a seriously impressive light show that turned the stage into a constantly shifting wall of colour and movement. There was a lot to look at, and the band clearly understood that half the fun of DEVO is the spectacle. At one point, they took things a step further by throwing red energy domes from the stage into the crowd, sending fans scrambling to catch one of their own. “Uncontrollable Urge” had the arena bouncing, while “Whip It” brought one of the biggest reactions of the night. Watching thousands of people lose themselves to a song that has been living in the cultural bloodstream for decades was pretty great.
Then came The B-52s, and suddenly Rogers Arena felt less like a hockey arena and more like the world’s biggest dance floor. Kate Pierson, Fred Schneider and Cindy Wilson brought the kind of energy that makes it impossible to simply sit and watch. “Planet Claire,” “Roam,” “Private Idaho” and “Love Shack” had the crowd singing and dancing along, but naturally, everyone knew what was coming. “Rock Lobster.” And yes, there was an actual lobster on stage. The giant crustacean made its appearance as the band tore into their gloriously bizarre classic, perfectly summing up what makes The B-52s so much fun. They have never seemed particularly interested in being normal, and thankfully, they still aren’t.
Their fans are just as committed. There was a definite cult-like devotion in the room, with plenty of retro outfits, dancing, big hair, wild accessories and people who clearly knew every single word. The crowd ranged from longtime fans who have been following the bands for decades to younger concertgoers discovering the music for themselves. That might be the most fun part of the Cosmic De-Evolution Tour. These songs have somehow escaped their original era. They still work. They still make people dance. And the bands themselves seem perfectly happy to keep letting their freak flags fly.
DEVO and The B-52s may have been formed nearly half a century ago, but there was nothing particularly nostalgic about the night. This wasn’t a museum piece or simply a trip down memory lane. It was loud, colourful, ridiculous and incredibly fun. With DEVO‘s futuristic visuals, flying energy domes and The B-52s‘ wonderfully unhinged stage presence, Rogers Arena got a little weirder on Sunday night, and Vancouver was better for it.
Check out our favourite photos of the night below or head to our Facebook page for the full gallery!
DEVO
THE B-52s
All Photo Credit: Heather Horncastle
Concerts Reviews
LIVE REVIEW: AC/DC – Hell’s Still Bellin’
AC/DC. Christ. What’s left to say? Everything’s been said, screamed, tattooed on someone’s bicep already. Doesn’t matter. That’s the whole racket, they never changed, never blinked, and more than fifty years later they’re still the loudest gang in the room.
Growing up, they felt ancient already. I am a 2001 kid. Turns out the joke’s on me: they’re still out there, riffing like it’s ’79, refusing to retire into legend status.
Princess Auto Stadium was packed with about 35000 attendees. Everyone was wearing red twinkling devil’s horns. To warm up the night, The Pretty Reckless started with one of the hits “Death by Rock and Roll.” Some support acts play like they’re grateful for the slot. Taylor Momsen played like she owns the stadium. The hair falling forward, somehow the less you can see of her face the more magnetic she gets. Stage presence isn’t something you learn. She’s just got it.
The band didn’t sound like an opener. Every riff landed with the swagger “Going To Hell” and “Since You’re Gone” kept it burning, and “About You” brought it down to something rawer before the lights cut. By the time The Pretty Reckless walked off, the audience were already screaming AC/DC! AC/DC!
Winnipeggers stood stunned through AC/DC‘s whole set. Angus Young, 71 years old still in that signature blue schoolboy uniform and yellow-and-blue cap, ran wild across the stage, duck-walking like no time had passed at all, genuinely, a dream come true to watch in person.
Meanwhile, the rest of the band, rhythm guitarist Stevie Young, bassist Chris Chaney and drummer Matt Laug stayed largely in the background, keeping the engine running for Angus and Johnson to tear apart.
The production matched the legend, “Hells Bells” arrived with an actual giant bell hanging over the stage. The setlist ran deep: “Thunderstruck,” “Have a Drink on Me,” “Shot in the Dark,” “Stiff Upper Lip,” “Highway to Hell,” “Jailbreak,” “Dirty Deeds Done Dirt Cheap.” Almost every song sounded just as good as the album version. The crowd tore their vocal cords apart singing along to “You Shook Me All Night Long” and “TNT.” “For Those About to Rock (We Salute You)” closed things out with cannons blasting into the night sky.
The house lights came up and nobody moved right away. Smoke still hanging over the stage, ears ringing, horns still lit up red across the stands. Bands this old aren’t supposed to sound this dangerous. They aren’t supposed to still mean it. But AC/DC never got the memo about slowing down, and honestly, thank God for that. I walked out hoarse, deaf, and completely satisfied.
Check out our favourite photos of the night below or head to our Facebook page for the full gallery!
AC/DC
THE PRETTY RECKLESS
All Photo Credit: Nischal Karki