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: David Lee Roth Brings the Party to Vancouver’s Vogue Theatre
Some artists play a concert. David Lee Roth puts on a show.
The legendary Van Halen frontman took over Vancouver’s Vogue Theatre on July 13 for nearly two and a half hours of classic rock, storytelling, and larger-than-life personality. From the moment he stepped on stage, it was obvious Vancouver still holds a special place in his heart. Throughout the night, he reminisced about recording here over the years and shared fond memories of his time at the Nelson Place Hotel, where, judging by the grin on his face, he had more than a few unforgettable nights.
If you’ve ever seen Diamond Dave, you know the music is only part of the experience.
Roth’s storytelling was in peak form, with tales between songs that seemed to wander wherever his brain felt like taking them. The longest detour of the night eventually landed on “Ice Cream Man,” with Roth picking up an acoustic guitar and easing into the Van Halen classic. Moments like that are exactly why he’s never been just a singer; he’s a showman through and through, and the crowd was loving every minute of it.
At one point, Roth referred to himself as “35 years old… times two,” and honestly, the man has enough energy to make people half his age question their cardio. He powered through almost two and a half hours with barely a pause, constantly moving across the stage with his signature Muppet-like swagger, dramatic poses and facial expression, and even a limbo under his microphone stand just because… he’s David Lee Roth. As a self-proclaimed “paper cup of whiskey,” Roth couldn’t have described himself more perfectly: a little rough around the edges, endlessly charismatic, and impossible not to enjoy.
The setlist delivered exactly what Vancouver came to hear, with Van Halen classics including “Panama,” “Jamie’s Cryin’,” “Dance the Night Away,” “Hot for Teacher,” “Ain’t Talkin’ ‘Bout Love,” “Jump,” and “Runnin’ with the Devil.” One of the evening’s standout moments came during “Unchained,” where Roth busted out a harmonica solo, adding his own twist to one of the band’s heaviest anthems.
The crowd was all in from the opening song, singing every chorus back to the stage, cheering between stories, even telling Roth to “gimme a break” when the time came (iykyk). While his voice doesn’t quite reach the same sky-high notes it did in the ’80s, that hardly mattered. Rather than chasing perfection, Roth leaned into what has always made him such a captivating performer: personality, humour, spontaneity, and an undeniable love for being on stage. You could genuinely feel how much fun he was having, and that enthusiasm spread through the theatre.
His backing band kept the iconic songs sounding tight and full of energy, while the backup vocalists were an absolute highlight of the night. They were impossible not to watch, dancing through every song, interacting with each other, and laughing along with Roth‘s antics. The moment one of the backing vocalists sauntered across the stage to jump behind another set of synth keys, you knew the crowd was about to be transported straight into synth heaven. Their chemistry with one another and with Roth added another layer of excitement to an already lively performance, making the stage feel alive from start to finish.
With plenty of videos from earlier stops on the tour circulating online, Vancouver’s performance felt like one of the strongest of the run. Roth looked relaxed, sounded confident, and seemed genuinely excited to be back in a city that’s clearly been an important part of his career. Whether it was the hometown memories, the electric crowd, or simply one of those nights where everything clicked, the show had an extra spark that carried through from start to finish
David Lee Roth may not sound exactly like he did four decades ago, and honestly, that’s okay. What hasn’t changed is his ability to command a stage, make thousands of people smile, and turn a concert into a full-blown rock ‘n’ roll party. For diehard Van Halen fans, it was a chance to relive the classics. For everyone else, it was a reminder that great songs are one thing, but a true showman knows how to make them unforgettable.
Check our our favourite photos of the night below or head to our Facebook page for the full glallery!
DAVID LEE ROTH IN VANCOUVER
All Photo Credit: Heather Horncastle
Concerts Reviews
LIVE REVIEW: A$AP Rocky’s Tour Finale Brings Out 50 Cent, Ice Spice, and the A$AP Mob
Coming off the hype of his long-awaited fourth studio album Don’t Be Dumb, A$AP Rocky has been turning up shows and electrifying audiences across major venues in North America. On Saturday, he was performing at the Prudential Center, which is near his hometown of New York. Eager fans packed into the venue, greeted by a warning on the big screen that read, “Please be advised that this performance includes SWAT performers and strobe effects. Enjoy the show!” The message felt direct yet somewhat chilling.
When the moment finally arrived, A$AP Rocky stormed onto the general admission floor accompanied by police officers and masked bodyguards sporting AWGE tactical gear. Unlike most concerts, this one kicked off in the middle of the crowd. When he shouted, “Open that shit up!” the crowd erupted, and all hell broke loose.
As fans piled in to get as close as possible to the rapper, the once-spacious venue transformed into a massive mosh pit. It was organized chaos, much to A$AP‘s delight, as he seemed to feed off their energy, a true ringleader in the mayhem. Most rappers wouldn’t dare start a show this way for obvious safety reasons. But not A$AP, he enjoys being right in the middle of the action.
Performing some of the more energetic songs from his new album, like “Helicopter” and “Order of Protection,” he danced, jumped, and pushed back against the crowd. This felt like a special show, as the hometown kid finally got to celebrate with his New York and New Jersey fans.
Joining him for this event were several special guests, including Ice Spice, Uncle Murda, 50 Cent, Skilla Baby, and various members of the A$AP Mob, blessing the crowd with favorites like “Deli,” “Many Men,” and “Thick One.” With this final show, Rocky concluded his United States and Canada run of the Don’t Be Dumb tour with a banger. We can only look forward to more surprises and epic moments as he takes the show to Europe. Rocky will be taking no prisoners as he embarks on this extended leg. I just hope those fans heed the warning and come ready to turn up with the mob.
Check out our favorite photos of the show below or head to our Facebook page for the full gallery!
A$AP ROCKY
All Photo Credit: Anthony Grant