Concerts Reviews
LIVE REVIEW: Alex Warren Finds Family on the Road at Rogers Arena
One year ago, Alex Warren was playing Vancouver’s Vogue Theatre. On Sunday night, he walked onto the stage at Rogers Arena in front of nearly 20,000 people for the Vancouver stop of his Finding Family on the Road Tour.
That kind of jump can expose an artist’s weaknesses. Plenty of performers who thrive in clubs and theatres struggle once the rooms get bigger and the production gets larger. Their personalities get lost somewhere between the video screens and the confetti cannons, yet Warren never came close to that problem.
Before he appeared, opening act Nat & Alex Wolff warmed up the crowd with a short but engaging set. The New York brothers leaned into their easy chemistry, mixing indie-pop hooks with plenty of crowd interaction. Still, the anticipation in the arena was unmistakably for Warren.
The show opened with touching home videos from his childhood projected across the giant screens. It felt like both sentimental and a mission statement. Family, both the one Warren lost and the one he has built around himself, remains at the centre of everything he does.
He wasted little time launching into “Troubled Waters,” immediately sending excitement through the arena. From there, he rolled through early highlights including “Bloodline,” “The Outside,” and “First Time on Earth.”
What stood out wasn’t the production, though there was plenty of it. It was Warren‘s command of the room. For someone whose rise began on social media, Warren understands live performance remarkably well. He knows when to joke, when to tell a story, and when to step aside and let the audience take over. Throughout the night he read signs, spoke directly to fans, and delivered the kind of spontaneous interactions that can’t be programmed into a production schedule.
The audience responded to every moment. Many were young fans who have followed his life for years, and the relationship between artist and crowd felt unusually personal for a venue this size.
Vocally, Warren continues to silence anyone who still sees him primarily as a former content creator. Songs like “The Outside” and “Eternity” showcased the power and clarity in his voice, particularly when he pushed into his upper register. During “Eternity,” a massive sing-along broke out across Rogers Arena, with nearly every section joining in.
The emotional core of the evening arrived during the B-stage portion of the set. To get there, Warren left the main stage and made his way through the crowd, high-fiving fans, stopping for selfies, and turning the walk into an event of its own.
After reaching the smaller stage in the middle of the floor, Warren stripped away much of the arena spectacle and focused on the stories behind the songs. Before performing the unreleased “Same Stars,” he asked fans to put their phones away and experience the moment with him rather than recording it. He then spoke about losing both of his parents and the loneliness that often comes with grief. He reminded the audience that people die twice: once when they pass away and again when their stories stop being told. You could hear a pin drop as phone lights illuminated the arena.
It’s a difficult balance. Warren‘s music often deals with grief, loss, and healing, and there are moments where the emotional weight borders on overwhelming. At times, the show asks a lot from its audience, who ended up in tears several times. Yet those moments never felt manipulative. They felt genuine, even when they were uncomfortable.
“Fine Place To Die” was one of the strongest moments of the night. Sitting alone at the piano, Warren delivered the song acoustically after explaining that everything heard throughout the show was being performed live by him and his musicians. Before starting, he joked, “If I fuck up, post it on TikTok,” earning one of the night’s biggest laughs. Alongside “Heaven Without You,” the stripped-back performance highlighted Warren‘s songwriting and emotional delivery.
The final run of songs shifted the mood back toward celebration. During “Getaway Car,” Warren took a moment to introduce each member of his band, giving the musicians their own chance to shine before launching back into the set. “You Can’t Stop This” and “Burning Down” brought fresh energy into the arena before “FEVER DREAM” exploded into one of the night’s biggest singalongs, complete with confetti cannons and enough excitement to shake the building.
The final run of songs shifted the mood back toward celebration. “Getaway Car,” “You Can’t Stop This,” and “Burning Down” brought fresh energy into the arena before “FEVER DREAM” exploded into one of the night’s biggest singalongs, complete with confetti cannons and enough excitement to shake the building.
Warren explained that the confetti button is normally pushed by his wife, Kouvr, but since she wasn’t in Vancouver, the honour went to fellow musician Cameron Whitcomb, who had just finished performing at the FIFA Fan Festival earlier that day. Whitcomb’s excitement was impossible to miss as confetti filled the arena.
With the encore came the moment everyone had been waiting for. As the opening notes of “Ordinary” rang out, Rogers Arena erupted. The Billboard-topping hit has become Warren‘s defining song, and hearing nearly every person in the building scream the lyrics back at him was one of those rare concert moments where the scale of an artist’s rise becomes impossible to ignore.
A year ago, Alex Warren was proving he belonged in theatres. On Sunday night, he proved he belongs in arenas. More impressively, he managed to make Rogers Arena feel a lot smaller than it actually is.
After the final notes faded, Warren returned to the B-stage one last time to take a bow. Beside him was a young girl who had earlier asked to push the confetti button herself. He gave her something even better. It was a small gesture, but it perfectly captured the spirit of the night: a massive arena show that never lost sight of the people in the room.
Upcoming Tour Dates:
Wednesday, June 17 – Salt Lake City, UT – Utah First Credit Union Amphitheatre
Friday, June 19 – Omaha, NE – CHI Health Center
Sunday, June 21 – Kansas City, MO – T-Mobile Center
Tuesday, June 23 – Pittsburgh, PA – PPG Paints Arena
Thursday, June 25 – Atlanta GA – State Farm Arena
Friday, June 26 – Charlotte, NC – Spectrum Center
Saturday, June 27 – Cleveland, OH – Rocket Arena
Monday, June 29 – Chicago, IL – United Center
Thursday, July 2 – Minneapolis, MN – Grand Casino Arena
Friday, July 3 – Milwaukee, WI – Summerfest – American Family Insurance Amphitheater
Sunday, July 5 – Detroit, MI – Little Caesars Arena
Tuesday, July 7 – Toronto, ON – RBC Amphitheatre
Wednesday, July 8 – Montreal, QC – Bell Centre
Friday, July 10 – Philadelphia, PA – Xfinity Mobile Arena
Saturday, July 11 – Columbia, MD – Merriweather Post Pavillion
Monday, July 13 – Boston, MA – TD Garden
Wednesday, July 15 – New York, NY – Madison Square Garden
Find out more information about the tour here.
Concerts Reviews
LIVE REVIEW: Em Beihold Delights Sold-Out Vancouver Crowd at The Pearl
The Pearl, Vancouver | June 11, 2026
Known for her quirky, upbeat sound and jaunty piano, Em Beihold brought her unique brand of pop music to a sold out, all-age show at Vancouver’s Pearl Theatre. Downtown Vancouver, a host city already alive for day one of the World Cup, was filled with street performers, tourists, and families out for a day in the sun, making it the perfect stage for Em to shine. Out of the crowds and heat, fans quickly filled the floor for the opener and didn’t move until Em finished her set. Did it help that there was no drinking at the event? Probably! But her fans are diehard and loyal, and they were not going to give up their spot for any reason.
One of the best moments of the show came early on; known for her breakout 2021 viral hit “Numb Little Bug,” Em started the song to cheers from her fans only to stop after the first few lines to laugh into the mic. “Did you think I was going to play that for my third song?!” Incredible. Not only did it help her set the tone for the night, but it gave the crowd something to look forward to and was the perfect encore.
Must Hear Songs by Em Beihold (In Our Humble Opinion):
“Numb Little Bug” (Egg in the Basket, 2022)
“Lottery” (Tales of a Failed Shapeshifter, 2026, 2026)
“Hot Goblin” (Tales of a Failed Shapeshifter, 2026)
After taking a year off for self-care and support her mental health, Em Beihold returned with a number of fantastic singles. Tracks like “Hot Goblin” (check out the video, you won’t be disappointed), “Brutus,” and “Scared of the Dark” set some incredible expectations that we’re glad to say her 2026 album “Tales of a Failed Shapeshifter” met. Poppy, cheerful, but with meaning and purpose for those who take the time to reflect, this first studio album is going to be the record we look back on and say “why is anyone surprised?” when her stardom explodes.
Gaining a reputation for fan engagement and her friendly, down-to-earth personality, Em Beihold’s dynamic voice, sense of whimsy, and stage presence is going to go a long way towards building a lasting career. We can absolutely see her branching out and experimenting in the future – her vocal range and skill on the keyboard is real – but we can only imagine the directions she’ll go. We’re just excited to be along for the ride!
Em Beihold Setlist:
Scared of the Dark
Brutus
Shiny New Things
Van Gogh
Strong Medicine
Exorcism
Unicorn
Soup!
Us
Goo
Groundhog Day
Until I Found You
Won’t Let Go
Lottery
Hot Goblin
Numb Little Bug (encore)
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!
EM BEIHOLD
All Photo Credit: Jason Martin
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