Concerts Reviews
Coast City Country 2024 Day 1 – Live Review

On April 19th, Coast City Country launched its inaugural edition at BC Place in Vancouver, BC.
Fans in cowboy boots and hats gathered to watch incredible country artists throughout the day.
Act 1: Carter Faith
Carter Faith blew up the main stage as the opening act of the Coast City Country Festival last weekend.
Carter Faith is a rising country music sensation hailing from the heartland of America. Born and raised in North Carolina, Faith’s love for music blossomed at an early age, bringing her journey to us and this incredible new festival!



Act 2: Chayce Beckham
Chayce Beckham is a country-rock artist whose journey to musical success is as inspiring as his soulful voice. Before finding fame, Beckham worked various odd jobs including construction and bartending. However, his love for music never wavered, and he spent every spare moment honing his craft and performing at local venues.
In 2021, Beckham’s life changed forever when he auditioned for “American Idol.” His gritty vocals and authentic storytelling immediately captivated both the judges and audiences alike. Ultimately, Beckham emerged victorious, winning the hearts of millions and earning the title of “American Idol” champion. Since then, he has continued to build upon his success, releasing music that resonates with fans across the country.



Act 3: Nate Smith
Nate was emotional and upfront with his audience Friday evening, speaking to his life before music and his belief that dreams come true if you want them enough and work as hard as you possibly can.
After going viral in 2020, Nate signed with Sony Music and released several breakout songs, including “World on Fire” and “Bulletproof.” These hits, along with his energetic, stage-devouring energy, was the first act of the festival to bring some rock and roll to the crowd, which set the stage for several performers yet to come.



Act 4: Elle King
Best known for the hit 2014 song “Ex’s & Oh’s” that launched her career, Elle has since released a number of country albums and become an favorite on tour and at similar country-minded festivals.
Blending elements of rock, blues, country, and pop, King’s music defies easy categorization, reflecting her eclectic tastes and irreverent spirit. Her lyrics are marked by their honesty and wit, offering listeners a glimpse into her life and experiences with refreshing candor. Elle enjoyed herself as she leaned back for her 40 minute set, working her way through all her hits and clearly enjoying herself, constantly smiling and making contact with the crowd.



Act 5: Walker Hayes
In 2010, Hayes released his debut album, “Reason to Rhyme” independently, showcasing his unique blend of country, pop, and hip-hop influences. While the album garnered positive reviews, it was his 2017 breakthrough single “You Broke Up with Me” that catapulted him to mainstream success.
From his chart-topping hits to hidden gems, Hayes’ setlist showcased the depth and diversity of his musical talent, leaving everyone in awe of his undeniable star power.



Act 6: Bailey Zimmerman
Fans looking for an intense, high-energy, performance, needed to look no further than Louisville native Bailey Zimmerman Friday night! Clad in a orange BC Lions jacket, Bailey jumped and ran across the stage, belting out his hits and playing his Flying V to a packed BC Place. Louder and heavier than previous acts, Bailey prepared the crowd for the night’s headliner, Nickelback, who is often cited as one of his influences.




Act 7: Nickelback
Hometown heroes Nickelback seemed to enjoy their status as a country music band for the weekend, joking that they have no idea how they got there but they were ready to rock and roll concert because “Nickelback doesnt have a country set, stop asking.”
Fans were treated to a night of high-octane rock and roll that left no one in the audience disappointed. From the moment the band took the stage, the energy was palpable, with Chad Kroeger’s gravelly vocals and the band’s powerful instrumentals electrifying the crowd.



Head to the full gallery here!
All Photo Credit: Jason Martin
Concerts Reviews
LIVE REVIEW: Halestorm in Buenos Aires: A Mountain of Hard Rock
Halestorm, the hard rock band hailing from Pennsylvania returned to Argentina after a decade to launch their latest studio album, titled Everest. The event took place this past March 29 at the Teatro Gran Rivadavia in Buenos Aires.
The night began calmly; the audience trickled in slowly, likely due to the numbered seating, which encouraged many to enter at the last minute. However, as always, the most die-hard fans were inside the theater early. From that same section, and in the absence of a support band, a group of fans spontaneously began singing several of the band’s choruses in unison, delivering impressive vocal performances.

At 9:00 PM, with surgical precision, the first to appear on stage was Arejay Hale (drums), followed by Josh Smith (bass) and Joe Hottinger (guitar). Finally, the frontwoman, singer, guitarist, and keyboardist, Lzzy Hale, made her entrance.
They chose to open with their 2009 debut single, “I Get Off.” They followed up with two more classics, “Love Bites (So Do I)” and “I Miss The Misery.” After these three tracks, it was clear that both the band and the audience were ready to give it their all.
Halestorm continued the set with “Watch Out!” from their latest album, followed by “Black Vultures” from the Vicious LP. Once finished, Lzzy addressed the crowd to recall the band’s participation in the 2025 Black Sabbath tribute in Birmingham. She asked the audience to raise their hands with the classic “metal horns” in memory of Ozzy Osbourne, leading into a cover of “Perry Mason.”

After a massive round of applause, the Americans continued presenting tracks from their new album with “Shiver.” Then—with a dedication from Lzzy to the women in the house—they played “Like a Woman Can,” closing the trio of new songs with “I Gave You Everything.”
At the midpoint of the concert, Lzzy took the mic to sing a fragment of “Familiar Taste of Poison,” showcasing her incredible range and clean high notes, before seamlessly transitioning into “Rain Your Blood On Me.” This highlighted her grittier, “broken” vocal style, proving her immense versatility as a singer.
After a brief break for the rest of the band, Arejay Hale took the spotlight for a drum solo that included his signature giant sticks. The band then returned for “Back From The Dead” and “Wicked Ways.”

The set continued with “K-I-L-L-I-N-G” and “Uncomfortable.” True to the song’s title, the beginning of the latter was the only moment where Lzzy seemed slightly “uncomfortable,” possibly due to a sound issue or a brief memory lapse with the lyrics—nothing serious, and it was resolved within seconds. They closed the main set with the title track of their new album, “Everest.”
After a few minutes of the crowd chanting for more, the band returned with “Freak Like Me,” a true anthem that had the “Freaks” (as the fans are called) jumping in unison. To wind down the night, they opted for “Fallen Star” and the ballad “Here’s To Us,” during which Lzzy Hale donned the Argentine national jersey with Lionel Messi’s number 10.

Thus, Halestorm concluded their third visit to Argentina, delivering a solid, polished, and high-energy show with top-tier sound. They gave their all to both long-time fans and the many new ones in attendance. Hopefully, we won’t have to wait another 10 years to see them again.
Words by Martin Cervetto
Photos by Tute Delacroix (@tutedelacroix)
Concerts Reviews
LIVE REVIEW: Evan Honer Turns the Commodore Into a Living Room Singalong
On March 30, 2026, Commodore Ballroom felt less like a historic venue and more like someone’s packed house party with Evan Honer at the centre of it all.
The night opened with Sam Burchfield, whose warm, rootsy set eased the crowd in. His style leaned into folk and Southern textures, setting a tone that fit neatly with what was coming next.
Honer’s rise still feels a bit unreal when you line it up. A few years ago, he was balancing college life and Division I swimming. Then his cover of “Jersey Giant” by Tyler Childers exploded online, pulling in hundreds of millions of streams and flipping his life overnight. Fast forward to now, and he’s running his own label, recording out of a garage studio, and touring internationally with a catalogue that keeps growing.
That momentum showed up immediately on stage. Honer kicked off his set with a burst of energy (and yes, a backflip!) setting the tone for a night that bounced between chaos and quiet reflection. Backed by a 5-piece band, he moved easily between acoustic moments and full-band arrangements, switching guitars and moods easily.
A big part of the set leaned on his latest album, Everything I Wanted, which marks a shift in his sound. The Americana roots are still there, but there’s a stronger pull toward indie pop and mainstream country. Tracks like the title song turned into full-on crowd moments, with the audience shouting back every word.
What stood out most was how little it mattered whether a song was new or old. Fans knew everything. Tracks from West On I-10 landed just as loudly as newer material, and songs like “Foolin’ Ourselves” and “Too Far Gone” felt like staples rather than throwbacks.
Mid-set, Honer slowed things down and stripped it back. Alone on stage, he played “Brother” and “Mr. Meyers,” both heavy, personal songs. You could feel the room quiet. It’s a risky move in a high-energy set, but it paid off.
He didn’t let things stay heavy for long with “Jersey Giant.” It’s still the song that introduced him to a massive audience, and live, it feels like it belongs to both him and the crowd now.
The encore leaned unexpected, with a cover of “Sugar, We’re Goin Down” by Fall Out Boy that somehow worked perfectly. Honer closed with “IDK Shit About Cars,” sending the room out on a high.
Beyond the music, the night carried a bit more weight. Honer has partnered with PLUS1, with $1 from every ticket supporting the Schizophrenia & Psychosis Action Alliance. It’s a small detail, but it adds context to an artist who clearly thinks beyond the stage.
Check out our favourite photos of the night below or head to our Facebook page for the full gallery!
Upcoming Tour Dates:
March 31 – Seattle, Wash. @ Showbox
April 1 – Portland, Ore. @ Crystal Ballroom
April 3 – San Francisco, Calif. @ The Fillmore
April 4 – Los Angeles, Calif. @ El Rey Theatre
April 5 – San Diego, Calif. @ The Observatory North Park
April 7 – Flagstaff, Ariz. @ Orpheum Theater
April 10 – Tucson, Ariz. @ La Rosa
April 11 – Phoenix, Ariz. @ The Van Buren
April 15 – Tulsa, Okla. @ Cain’s Ballroom
April 16 – Dallas, Texas @ The Echo Lounge & Music Hall
April 18 – Georgetown, Texas @ Two Step Inn
More information on Evan Honer’s website.
EVAN HONER








SAM BURCHFIELD



All Photo Credit: Caroline Charruyer
