Concerts Reviews
LIVE REVIEW – Lights Shines in Ottawa on the ‘Come Get Your Girl’ Tour
Bronson Centre, Ottawa, ON
March 18th 2026
Lights – Come Get Your Girl Tour
An evening in the nation’s capital began with Canadian alt-rock duo Softcult. Combining grunge, shoegazing and their lyrics that tackle social and political issues, Softcult got the crowd rocking out early.
Soon after 9pm Lights graced the stage and continued to prove why she remains one of Canada’s most enduring and quietly influential voices in synth-pop. Across her latest era, anchored by A6 (2025) and its expanded counterpart A6 Extended, she leans further into a moody, late-night sonic palette, built on atmospheric production, restrained vocals, and deeply personal songwriting. The result is a body of work that feels both intimate and refined, showcasing her growth as a largely self-produced artist who has steadily carved out her own creative lane over more than a decade in the industry.
What makes this phase of her career particularly compelling is how seamlessly it fits within her broader catalogue. Longtime fans will still recognize the DNA of earlier hits like “Up We Go” and “Running With the Boys,” but there’s a noticeable maturity in tone and texture. Lights isn’t chasing trends, she’s refining them, distilling her sound into something more deliberate and emotionally resonant.
That evolution translates powerfully to the stage on her current 2026 Come Get Your Girl tour. The live show strikes a confident balance between past and present, weaving fan favourites alongside newer material without losing momentum. Backed by dynamic lighting and immersive visuals, the performance feels both polished and kinetic, elevating her introspective songs into something communal and celebratory. There’s a clear emphasis on movement and energy, but never at the expense of authenticity. Lights remains fully in control, connecting with the crowd in a way that feels genuine rather than rehearsed.
Ultimately, this tour doesn’t just support A6 Extended, it reinforces Lights’ staying power. She’s an artist who has grown with her audience, refining her sound while maintaining the emotional core that drew listeners in from the beginning. In an era where pop careers can be fleeting, Lights offers something rarer: consistency, evolution, and a live experience that continues to resonate.
Lights will extend her tour this year by joining fellow Canadian Bryan Adams on the Roll with the Punches tour across Canada. More information on her website.
Check out our favourite photos of the night below or head to our Facebook page the full gallery!
LIGHTS
SOFTCULT
All Photo Credit: Kieran Delport
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