Concerts Reviews
Joy, Solidarity, and Rubber Duckies: Anees’ Unforgettable Night in Vancouver
Words by Sean Skibb – Photos by Kelli Rothwell
There are some shows that don’t feel like concerts so much as they feel like gatherings. Like moments of pure, unfiltered joy shared among strangers who, for one night, felt like family. That was the atmosphere at the Vogue Theatre on Friday night in Vancouver where Anees took the stage to deliver a performance rooted in love. Love of self, love of others, and love for the journey that brings us to who we are. It was less of a setlist and more of a sermon, filled with laughter, vulnerability, and the occasional freestyle. The crowd, entirely diverse in age, race, and gender, felt more like an extension of his character than just admirers of it, mirroring the proud sincerity Anees brings to the stage.
The setlist unexpectedly opened with a blistering and tone-setting guitar solo from Oggy, Anees’ guitarist, whose energy stole the show in many moments, including a heartwarming pause mid-concert for Anees to bring out a birthday cake for him, freestyling a birthday verse while Oggy took a full-faced bite straight out of the top. That blend of talent and playfulness was the tone of the evening, most hilariously captured in the flurry of rubber duckies Anees tossed into the crowd. “There’s just something about rubber duckies that makes an adult feel like a kid again,” he said, a point that was later proven to me as I witnessed a full-body dive across the floor just to catch one.
While not the focus of the night, there was a deeper current that couldn’t be ignored. Anees, of proud Palestinian-Lebanese heritage, has been vocal about his roots and unwavering in his solidarity, most recently with a feature on Macklemore’s “HINDS HALL 2,” a protest anthem supporting Palestinian liberation, the proceeds of which went to UNRWA. Though this wasn’t a night explicitly political in tone, signs of solidarity were everywhere. Keffiyehs on shoulders, embroidered dresses in the crowd, and, in the final moments, Mohammed Assaf’s “Dammi Falastini” ringing through the venue. As soon as the beat dropped, the remaining crowd broke into Dabke, the traditional Levantine dance, quickly joined by Anees himself, who re-emerged from backstage to dance with the crowd.
To distill the atmosphere Anees brought to the Vogue Theatre into one word, it was “life”, and the celebration of it. From the guitar-solo laden beginning, to the Dabke-dancing end, Anees’ message rang loud and clear: No matter the hardship, the pain and strife, there is an undeniable beauty to life. It should be celebrated, cherished, and shared with everyone in this world for the simple reason that everyone deserves it. Everyone.
Check out our favourite photos of the night below or head to our Facebook page for the full gallery!
All Photo Credit : Kelli Rothwell
Concerts Reviews
LIVE REVIEW: Benee Brings Her ‘Particule Tour’ to the Hollywood Theatre in Vancouver
The Hollywood Theatre, Vancouver | March 4, 2026
BAYLI
Opening for BENEE was singer, songwriter, and rapper Bayli! Formerly part of “The Skins,” Bayli has been touring as a solo act since 2019, reaping acclaim for songs like “Passenger Princess” and “SUGARCOAT.” The first thing we thought when dipping our toe through her back catalog this week was how much she encapsulated Robyn’s recent line that “The purpose of [her] life is to stay horny.” That’s very much Bayli’s vibe; her songs are sexy, bordering on erotic. Her brand of EDM-pop is rooted in “explicit queerness” and while she has rejected any one label, her music is for and relatable to everyone. Also, again, very, very, horny.
If You Only Listen by One Song by Bayli:
“Sushi For Breakfast” (Stories from New York, 2020)
Here are a few photos of Bayli that we hope you enjoy!
BENEE
On Wednesday, March 4, BENEE returned to Vancouver to support her 2026 headlining Particles Tour which began earlier this month. A mind-blowing five years after the release of her debut album, BENEE is once again on the road and hitting 23 cities in North America. We were lucky enough to shoot her June 2022 show at The Vogue, and we’ve been patiently waiting for another chance to see her live ever since! We waited through COVID for that show to be rescheduled, we waited 5 years to see her again and, hand to heart, we’ll happily wait until she returns again!
Must Hear Songs by BENEE (In Our Respectful Opinion):
Wishful Thinking (Fire on Marzz, 2019)
Soaked (Fire on Marzz, 2019)
One of BENEE’s more endearing traits is her comfortability and overall contentment on the stage. Still rocking oversized boots and long sleeves, she seemed at home in front of the crowd, dancing through the shadows the minimal lighting provided. And smiling! Always smiling. Whether it was thanking her fans for taking the time to make an adorable sign or – and I’m not saying I understand how we got here – speaking about Canada and leading the entire venue through an impromptu round of “Oh Canada” she cleared enjoyed her time in Vancouver.
BENEE’s latest album continues to experiment with genres, mixing upbeat pop with lighter, more experimental melodies. Perhaps unsurprisingly, her shows are never one-note as she moves back and forth between these sounds, creating a “what’s next” situation where it’s beyond difficult to get bored or into anything resembling a sleepy rhythm. Her show is visually dark, and moody, and there is smoke! But there is a lot coming at you, and a lot to love.
Benee Setlist:
Sad Boiii
Cinnamon
Vegas
Beach Boy
Wishful Thinking
Soaked
Doomsday
Demons
Prey4U
Animal
Heaven
Make You Sick (Snippet)
Glitter
Princess
Underwater
Afterthought (Joji cover)
Supalonely
Off The Rails
Play Video
Green Honda
Once again, we had an incredible night at The Hollywood Theatre and loved every moment of the show. Thank you, BENEE! Check out our favourite photos of the night below or head to our Facebook page for the full gallery!
All Photo Credit: Jason Martin
Concerts Reviews
LIVE REVIEW: A Sold-Out Night of Performance Art With Sudan Archives
Words by Kali Moreno
Photos by Kelli Rothwell
A sold-out night at The Pearl set the tone for a show that felt half concert, half art installation. Sudan Archives brought her genre-blurring world to Vancouver following the release of The BPM in 2025, with support from Cain Culto.
Cain Culto confidently navigated an energetic, multi-media set backed by Indigenous, Latin American, and Bluegrass influences – what he calls Kentucky Latin Art-Pop. As he gradually shed layers of clothing, he added homemade props to deliver his song’s messages of empowerment and resistance in both Spanish and English. His musical skills as a vocalist and violinist, paired with his artistic expression as a visual artist, created a riveting piece of performance art.
Dressed in a skin-tight, full body suit and wearing otherworldly grey contact lenses, Sudan Archives commanded a sold-out stage for her one-woman set at The Pearl. The deeply human themes of her songs, which sit in genre around house, techno, and R&B, were shared with the rowdy audience alongside recurring mechanical sounds and choreographed robotic movements. This examination of technology and humanity reminded that her artistry and expression transcend her talents as a singer, violinist, and beat-maker. Sudan Archives performed three encore songs, jumping off the stage to dance with the screaming crowd before leaving Vancouver with the parting words: “y’all are fucking lit.”
Check out our favourite photos of the night below or head to our Facebook page for the full gallery!
Upcoming Tour Dates:
02-18 San Francisco, CA – Regency Ballroom
02-19 San Diego, CA – Music Box
02-20 Los Angeles, CA – The Fonda Theatre
More info on Sudan Archives’ website.
SUDAN ARCHIVES
CAIN CULTO
All Photo Credit: Kelli Rothwell