Concerts Reviews
Long Live The Black Parade: My Chemical Romance’s Glorious Return to L.A.
It was an eventful evening at Dodger Stadium over the weekend. However, this was not due to a baseball game. Saturday, July 26th-July 27th, the ICONIC rock band, My Chemical Romance, took Dodger Stadium by storm, nearly reaching full stadium capacity of 56,000 seats. The sold-out show paid tribute to the 20th anniversary of the 4x platinum album, The Black Parade.
The New Jersey natives played songs 1-14 off of their album, starting in order with the songs: “The End.,” “Dead!,” and “This Is How I Disappear.”
With some help, on Los Angeles nights 1 and 2, indie rock and pop band The Wallows kicked off the show for Gerard Way and MCR. Los Angeles residents Dylan, Braeden, and Cole energized the crowd with songs from their 2024 album, Model, which reflects a heartfelt and authentic band expression.
The title ‘Model’ reflects the inherent imperfections of being a role model. Critics have praised the album as “a no-skip record“. The Model and More Tour continues from their previous world tour. The album features their biggest streaming debut for a single, “Calling After Me.”
The North American leg of the Long Live The Black Parade tour kicked off in Seattle, Washington, and will wrap up in Tampa, Florida, after eleven nights across the United States, spanning from July 11th to September 13th.
With interactive segments and beautiful instrumental interludes, Gerard Way, lead vocalist for the band, made sure to check in with the crowd in between songs, letting the fans know just how special this night was. After a 12-year hiatus from performing, the band was last together around this time back in 2022, touring for the same album, The Black Parade.
While waiting for the band to take the stage, I had a moment to talk to some of the fans, otherwise known as Killjoys. They were telling me about their techniques for getting to the barricade and how many times they’ve seen My Chemical Romance in concert.
The concert’s theatrics kept everyone engaged as the band depicted a tyrannical storyline. The tour takes place in the fictional world of Draag, where The Black Parade, once considered “dead,” has been “elected” as the dictator’s official band. Throughout the show, we see the Black Parade’s loyalty to the Grand Immortal Dictator wane and eventually lead to rebellion.
Growing up with an older brother shaped my musical preferences. Bands like MCR have been part of my playlist since elementary school. Tracks such as “The Black Parade” and “Dead!” blared through speakers at 7:00 a.m. on our way to school or played through shared earbuds during long drives. The evenings often featured intense, emotional moments. Known as their most sorrowful song on The Black Parade album, “Cancer” uses a metaphor by Gerard to express his battle with depression.
The strength of the MCR fan base lies in its inclusivity. The stadium was packed with fans eager for an unforgettable night. MCR’s music has always connected deeply with people across various generations and backgrounds. Many fans embraced the band’s iconic emo style, arriving in handcrafted cosplay that showcased different eras and albums.
Upcoming Tour Dates:
August 2, 2025 – Arlington, TX – Globe Life Field Special Guest: Garbage
August 9, 2025 – East Rutherford, NJ – MetLife Stadium Special Guests: Death Cab for Cutie and Thursday
August 15, 2025 – Philadelphia, PA – Citizens Bank Park Special Guest: Alice Cooper
August 22, 2025 – Toronto, ON – Rogers Centre Special Guest: Pixies
August 29, 2025 – Chicago, IL – Soldier Field Special Guest: Devo
September 7, 2025 – Boston, MA – Fenway Park Special Guest: IDLES
September 13, 2025 – Tampa, FL – Raymond James Stadium Special Guest: Evanescence
More info here.
Check out our favourite photos of the night below or head to our Facebook page for the full gallery!
MY CHEMICAL ROMANCE
WALLOWS
All Photo Credit: Taylor Blazer
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