Concerts Reviews
LIVE REVIEW: Warm Grooves and Wandering Sax: Venna’s Malik Tour Shines in Vancouver
On February 10th, a sunny day in Vancouver, British Columbia, Venna took the stage at a sold-out show at Fortune Sound Club to begin his 10th stop of the Malik Tour.
Venna’s Malik Tour transforms his debut album into a rich, flowing live experience that feels both intimate and expansive. From the first notes of “Prophet,” the tone is warm, atmospheric, and deeply intentional. The track rises slowly, giving Venna’s saxophone room to shine before the band steps in.
“Numero Uno” eases in with a slow, sensual build. Analogue textures settling around live drums, bass and guitar as they lock into a steady groove. A saxophone line runs through it, mostly consistent but never quite the same twice. As one of the early standouts in the set, it brings a vibrant, rhythmic lift to the room. Live, the track feels fuller and more expansive than on record. The percussion hits with extra weight, the bass digs in deeper, and the arrangement stretches just enough to feel loose and alive. It’s in moments like this that Venna’s skill as a bandleader really shows. He understands when to step out front and when to let the music unfold naturally.
Later in the performance, “Twisting” gently reshapes the mood. The track carries its silky, soul-infused character effortlessly, with R&B textures creating one of the evening’s most affecting moments. The audience sways in unison, absorbed in the melody as it floats over restrained yet powerful instrumentation. Stripped back to its live arrangement, the song underscoring Venna’s ability to blend influences seamlessly while keeping the overall sound cohesive and immersive.
Another standout is “Eternal Reflections,” which feels especially alive in a live setting. The arrangement leans into its layered textures, creating a cinematic feel. The band’s chemistry shines here, with each musician contributing without overpowering the others.
Throughout the set, Venna glides between high-energy grooves and quieter, introspective moments. The way one song flows into the next feels intentional. Even without an elaborate stage setup, the lighting mirrors the music’s mood. It glows in warm amber hues during the more intimate moments, then faded into cooler tones as the performance takes on a more atmospheric edge.
What makes the Malik Tour so compelling is its emotional pacing. The set doesn’t rely solely on standout singles; instead, it builds an arc. By the time the closing number arrives and reprised themes introduced earlier in the show, the audience feels like they’ve journeyed somewhere meaningful.
Venna proves that his artistry goes far beyond technical skill. On the Malik Tour, songs like “Prophet,” “Numero Uno,” “Twisting,” and “Eternal Reflections,” are reimagined. The result is a live show that feels cohesive and deeply human. It’s a conversation in sound that Venna leads beautifully.
Check out our favourite photos of the night below or head to our Facebook page for the full gallery!
VENNA
All Photo Credit: Kamaya Atterberry
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