Concerts Reviews
Halestorm and Lindsey Stirling Reach New Heights on the nEVEREST Tour in Vancouver
If anyone in Vancouver still doubts that violin and metal can share the same stage, the nEVEREST Tour put that question to rest on October 10 at Doug Mitchell Thunderbird Sports Centre. The lineup of Apocalyptica, Lindsey Stirling, and Halestorm felt like a musical science experiment gone right. Three acts that couldn’t be more different, yet somehow fit together like a perfectly distorted chord.
The night kicked off with Apocalyptica, Finland’s cello-wielding metal veterans. The lights dimmed, and the classic Ennio Morricone track “The Ecstasy of Gold” filled the arena. Metallica fans knew what was coming. Moments later, the three cellists stormed the stage and ripped into “Bettery.” You could feel the bass in your chest, but it wasn’t coming from guitars, it was the sheer power of those cellos.
They powered through a set packed with Metallica covers: “Master of Puppets,” “For Whom the Bell Tolls,” and “Nothing Else Matters.” The band has been at it since the mid-’90s, and it shows. By the time they closed with “Seek and Destroy,” the crowd was chanting along as if Metallica themselves were onstage.
Then came Lindsey Stirling, and the mood shifted from heavy to heavenly, though not in a soft way. Stirling has built a career on making the violin feel like a rock weapon, and in Vancouver, she was unstoppable. Backed by her band and dancers, Stirling hit the stage like a spark of kinetic energy in human form.
Every song had choreography, costume changes, and a story woven through it. “The Phoenix” opened the show in a swirl of lights and motion, with Stirling leaping and spinning as her bow lit up in time with the music. She mixed songs from her 2024 album Duality with fan-favourites like “Crystallize” and “Roundtable Rival.”
A highlight came when Stirling rolled out her now-famous “spin-the-wheel” segment. Fans cheered as she gave the wheel a dramatic flick to determine the night’s mystery song. Despite Stirling wanting the arrow to land on “Carol of the Bells” to fit the wintery temperature of Vancouver, it landed on deep cut “Til the Light Goes Out”. She also threw in her covers of “Sandstorm” and “Blue (Da Ba Dee),” giving both dance tracks a violin twist that somehow felt even more energetic than the originals.
Stirling’s connection with the crowd was effortless. She cracked jokes between songs, got everyone to light up their phones for “Firefly Alley,” and thanked fans for supporting her for over a decade since her America’s Got Talent days. Watching her command the stage, it’s hard to imagine anyone ever telling her she wasn’t “right for television.” She’s built an entire career proving how wrong they were.
By the time Halestorm took the stage, the crowd was already buzzing. The white curtain went up, silhouettes appeared, and then the drop. Confetti shot into the air as Lzzy Hale’s unmistakable scream cut through the noise, launching into “Fallen Star” off their new album Everest. But this show was extra special ad it was Lzzy’s birthday, and the Vancouver crowd had planned ahead.
Before the curtain dropped, the entire pit section held up signs wishing her a happy birthday, along with inflatable gold letters spelling it out across the barricade. When the lights came up, Lzzy saw it all mid-song, grinning through the opening riff as confetti rained down. The fans kept the signs raised through the entire first song, turning the arena into a giant birthday card. She called it “the best surprise I’ve ever gotten at a show,” clearly moved by the effort.
Halestorm have always been a force live, but that extra energy pushed them even higher Lzzy’s vocals were razor sharp, switching from growls to high notes with ease. Joe Hottinger’s guitar work was as tight as ever, and Arejay Hale looked like he was drumming to save his life. His mid-set solo included a battle with a giant inflatable Yeti hand (a nod to the Everest album cover), which ended with him pulling out massive drumsticks to finish the duel. The crowd loved every second of it.
The setlist leaned heavily on Everest, with “Like a Woman Can” (bringing back two Apocalyptica members on stage to add dimension to the song), “How Will You Remember Me,” and “I Gave You Everything” sitting comfortably alongside staples like “Love Bites (So Do I)” and “I Miss the Misery.” Lzzy took a moment at the piano for “Shiver” and “Break In,” her voice echoing through the arena with an intensity that silenced the chatter. You could tell she meant every word.
Then came the moment everyone was waiting for: Lindsey Stirling returned to the stage for a duet of “Shatter Me,” the track they recorded together a decade ago. The energy between them was electric: two women from different worlds sharing one song and absolutely nailing it. Stirling twirled as Lzzy belted.
Halestorm closed the night with “Here’s to Us,” toasting the crowd and each other. Confetti rained down again, this time golden, as the band raised their glasses in one final salute.
Walking out into the chilly Vancouver night, fans looked dazed in the best way, like they’d just been through three different concerts in one. That’s the beauty of the nEVEREST Tour: it’s heavy, it’s theatrical, and it’s unlike anything else on the road right now.
If you ever needed proof that metal, symphony, and performance art can live under the same roof, Halestorm, Lindsey Stirling, and Apocalyptica just gave it to you.
Check out our favourite photos of the night below or head to our Facebook page for the full gallery!
HALESTORM
LINDSEY STIRLING
APOCALYPTICA
All Photo Credit: Caroline Charruyer
Concerts Reviews
LIVE REVIEW: Pitbull Celebrates Music, Unity, and 25 Years of Hits in Mountain View
Pitbull brought his I’m Back World Tour to the Bay Area on Sunday night, delivering a massive, high-energy celebration for a sold-out crowd at Shoreline Amphitheatre. Closing out the first leg of his tour, the 90-minute performance served as both a victory lap through 25 years of hits and a reminder of why Armando Christian Pérez remains a fixture in pop and dance music.
The crowd fully embraced the party atmosphere before the music even began. The stands were packed with fans dressed in Pitbull‘s signature uniform of white button-down shirts, black ties, and sunglasses. Bald caps, Lil Jon lookalikes, and creative outfits inspired by the night’s sponsors only added to the festive energy.
Pitbull wasted no time setting the tone, launching straight into crowd favorites “Don’t Stop the Party” and “Hey Baby.” Backed by a live band and a polished troupe of dancers, he transformed the open-air amphitheater into a massive nightclub. The energy surged even higher when “Hotel Room Service” exploded into a heavy electronic breakdown. Throughout the night, Pitbull seamlessly blended genres, weaving James Brown’s “I Got You (I Feel Good)” into his set while bringing Caribbean influences to tracks like “Echa Pa’lla.”
What makes a Pitbull concert unique is his ability to balance the roles of party host and motivational speaker. Between high-octane performances of hits like “Culo” and “I Know You Want Me (Calle Ocho),” which featured visuals honoring the legendary Celia Cruz, he paused to connect with the audience. He thanked fans for spending their hard-earned money on live music and spoke passionately about unity, reminding the crowd that music proves “there’s one race and one race only: the human race.”
One of the evening’s biggest highlights came when Lil Jon joined Pitbull on stage. Taking a moment to reflect on their long history, Pitbull thanked Lil Jon for believing in him and giving him his first major opportunity 25 years ago. Together, they tore through “JUMPIN” and “Damn I Love Miami” before Pitbull transitioned into “Timber,” complete with country-inspired line dancing choreography.
By the time he raised a celebratory toast with Voli 305 vodka and launched into a final stretch featuring “Time of Our Lives,” “Fireball,” and “Give Me Everything,” the energy had never once dipped.
Lil Jon‘s 45-minute opening set was a nostalgic trip through the 2000s. Part DJ, part hype man, the Atlanta rapper kept the bass heavy as he mixed snippets of era-defining tracks like “Crank That (Soulja Boy)” and “Party Up” alongside his own classics, including “Snap Yo Fingers” and “Shots.” The crowd’s reaction to “Get Low” was so overwhelming that he played it twice.
Amid the high-energy crunk anthems, Lil Jon also delivered one of the night’s most emotional moments. Following a video montage honoring his late son, Nathan Smith (DJ Young Slade), who passed away earlier this year, he fought back tears while thanking the Bay Area for its decades of support, describing the performance as a form of therapy.
Ultimately, the night delivered exactly what was promised: nostalgia, nonstop energy, and a reminder that nobody throws a party quite like Mr. Worldwide.
Check out our favorite photos of the night below or head to our Facebook page for the full gallery!
Upcoming Tour Dates:
Wed Aug 19 – Bristow, VA – Jiffy Lube Live
Fri Aug 21 – Virginia Beach, VA – Veterans United Home Loans Amphitheater
Sat Aug 22 – Hershey, PA – Hersheypark Stadium
Tue Aug 25 – Wantagh, NY – Northwell at Jones Beach Theater
Wed Aug 26 – Syracuse, NY – Empower Federal Credit Union Amphitheater
Fri Aug 28 – Hartford, CT – The Meadows Music Theatre
Sat Aug 29 – Mansfield, MA – Xfinity Center
Mon Aug 31 – Bangor, ME – Maine Savings Amphitheater
Wed Sep 2 – Saratoga Springs, NY – Saratoga Performing Arts Center
Thu Sep 3 – Holmdel, NJ – PNC Bank Arts Center
Sat Sep 5 – Toronto, ON – RBC Amphitheatre
Wed Sep 9 – Clarkston, MI – Pine Knob Music Theatre
Thu Sep 10 – Grand Rapids, MI – Acrisure Amphitheater
Sat Sep 12 – East Troy, WI – Alpine Valley Music Theatre
Sun Sep 13 – Tinley Park, IL – Credit Union 1 Amphitheatre
Tue Sep 15 – Cincinnati, OH – Riverbend Music Center
Wed Sep 16 – Cuyahoga Falls, OH – Blossom Music Center
Fri Sep 18 – St. Louis, MO – Hollywood Casino Amphitheater
Sat Sep 19 – Noblesville, IN – Ruoff Music Center
Tue Sep 22 – Rogers, AR – Walmart AMP
Fri Sep 25 – Kansas City, MO – MORTON Amphitheater
Sat Sep 26 – Shakopee, MN – Mystic Lake Amphitheater
More information here.
PITBULL
LIL JON
All Photo Credit: Starr Lee
Concerts Reviews
LIVE REVIEW: 5 Seconds of Summer Turned Fame Into a Spectacle at Montreal’s Centre Bell
Over the past decade, 5 Seconds of Summer have accomplished something that many bands struggle to achieve: they’ve successfully evolved without losing the qualities that made fans fall in love with them in the first place. From their early 2000s days as energetic teenagers playing pop-rock anthems, their rise to fame opening for the world-renowned (ex) boyband One Direction, to their current status as seasoned musicians exploring increasingly experimental but captivating new sounds, the quartet consisting of lead singer Luke Hemmings, lead guitarist Michael Clifford, drummer Ashton Irwin and bassist Calum Hood, have proven their talent of continually reinventing themselves while maintaining an unmistakable identity.
On June 3, 2026, the Australian pop-rock band brought their “Everyone’s a Star” tour to Montreal’s Centre Bell, transforming the arena into a tongue-in-cheek celebration of fame, fandom, and the absurdity of life as a globally successful band. With the theme of the performance centred around the idea of the group’s “last show”, (premise that was obviously not true, since they’re on tour!), the show functioned as both a concert and a theatrical parody of celebrity culture, complete with award ceremonies, fan participation, and enough self-aware humour to keep the concept engaging and the audience laughing throughout the night.
First off, however, was an opening performance by The Band CAMINO, a rock band from Tennessee. Known for their hits such as “See Through” and “I Think I Like You”, the band did an excellent job of setting the tone for the night through their energetic set.
From the moment 5 Seconds of Summer stepped onstage, it was evident that the show was more than just a “get up, perform, and on to the next” type of show. The production presented an alternate reality in which 5 Seconds of Summer were navigating the final chapter of an impossibly glamorous career. Every “act”, as the band called it, of the show fed into that narrative, allowing the band to poke fun at their own success while celebrating the community that helped create it. These acts were Act 1: The Peak, Act 2: The Fall, Act 3: The Yearning, Act 4: The Breakup (the band member’s solo music was played here), Act 5: The Rise, Act 6: The Beginning, and finally, Act 7: The Return. To make the gag more believable, the band recorded fake news segments, fake controversies and fake interviews to bring fans even deeper into the world and narrative they created with this tour theme.
One of the evening’s most memorable moments came during “Boyband,” when a VIP fan was invited onstage to present the band with an award. The ceremony played like a mock awards ceremony tribute, reinforcing the show’s satirical take on fame while simultaneously acknowledging the fans who have supported the band throughout their career. While “accepting” the award, the band took turns thanking different Canadian icons, with Michael Clifford thanking Celine Dion for “teaching us everything,” and lead-singer Luke Hemmings who yelled nothing but “SIMPLE PLAN!”
Another part of the show that earned a lot of laughs was when the band showed the crowd the way they “became a local” during their day in Montreal. They recounted how they visited Montreal’s Underground City, tried to find the best poutine, and even had Luke Hemmings try (badly, sorry!) to speak a few common French phrases.
The relationship between artist and audience was a recurring theme throughout the night, and another great example was during the surprise song segment, where fans voted for a surprise song out of 4 choices before the show started. The announcement of “Don’t Stop” sent the Centre Bell into a roar of cheers, and helped add a sense of uniqueness to each show when the setlist remains otherwise the same.
Another highlight came during Act 4, the section dedicated to the members’ solo work. Rather than presenting themselves solely as a collective, each member was given an opportunity to showcase material from their individual projects. These songs were “Starting Line” by Luke Hemmings, “Don’t Forget You Love Me” by Calum Hood, “Have U Found What Ur Looking For?” by Ashton Irwin, and, my personal favourite, “enough” by Michael Clifford. Although they are recognized as part of a band, it was inspiring to see how each member found their own identity, and didn’t let being part of the band solely define their music.
Musically, the band sounded confident and comfortable throughout the 27 song set. Elaborate lighting, dynamic video screens featuring 2000s graphics, and a unique stage setup featuring a car for Ashton Irwin’s drum kit elevated the show without distracting from the music itself, highlighted as well through the use of props like giant inflated balls, blow up dolls, and most notably, confetti during “Not OK,” “Bad Omens,” and their closer “Youngblood.”
Perhaps the most impressive achievement of “Everyone’s a Star” is how effectively it balances irony and sincerity. The tour openly mocks the conventions of celebrity culture, but beneath the jokes lies a genuine appreciation for the fans who have accompanied the band throughout its journey. As Michael Clifford said; “Real bands save fans, real fans save bands.”
If the goal of “Everyone’s a Star” was to make every audience member feel like part of the story, then Montreal’s June 3 performance succeeded spectacularly. From old hits like “She’s Kinda Hot” and “Youngblood,” to new songs like “Everyone’s A Star!” “Evolve” and “istillfeelthesame,” even casual fans had a song that met their taste. Equal parts concert, comedy, nostalgia trip, and love letter to the 5 Seconds of Summer fandom, it was a show that understood exactly what has kept 5 Seconds of Summer relevant for so long: not just great songs and a unique sound, but a genuine ability to make fans feel seen. Plus, nothing beats the feeling of starting your summer by screaming the lyrics to “She Looks So Perfect”!
Click here for more information on the tour and upcoming dates!
Check out our favourite photos of the night below or head to our Facebook page for the full gallery!
5 SECONDS OF SUMMER
THE BAND CAMINO
All Photo Credit: Ashley Bellam