Concerts Reviews
P!nk Delivers Unforgettable Shows in Vancouver: Two Nights of Aerial Antics and Iconic Hits
“Finally!” exclaimed P!nk as she took the stage at Rogers Arena in Vancouver, BC, on September 6th and 7th. These highly anticipated shows were originally scheduled for October last year, but were postponed due to health reasons. Throughout the nights, P!nk repeatedly apologized for the rescheduling, acknowledging the additional costs fans incurred beyond just concert tickets. Always quick with a joke, she quipped, “I’m usually late by 25 minutes, but a whole year definitely takes the cake!”
These marked my 16th and 17th P!nk shows since 2004, so I’ll admit my bias upfront. I snagged tickets last week, eager to witness the latest stops on P!nk’s record-breaking tour. Already the fifth highest-grossing tour by a female artist ever—surpassed only by her own Beautiful Trauma tour, and those of Madonna, Beyoncé, and Taylor Swift—P!nk’s Trustfall/Summer Carnival tour has been met with rave reviews worldwide.
True to form, P!nk brought her signature mix of high-flying acrobatics and powerhouse vocals to Vancouver, delivering performances that mirrored the best of her shows of her 20+ year long carreer. This tour, promoting her eighth studio album Trustfall, has seen more than three million tickets sold across North America, Europe, and Australia.
Both nights kicked off with Irish rockers, The Script, followed by DJ and producer KidCutUp, who expertly hyped the crowd.
P!nk made her grand entrance flying down from the top of the stage in a harness for “Get The Party Started,” a visually stunning opener complete with a sparkly bodysuit, a popstar microphone headset, backup dancers, and gravity-defying vocals. Her setlist kicked off with fan favourites like “Raise Your Glass,” which featured dancers with beach-themed props and scooters shaped like pool flamingos. Hits like “Who Knew,” “Just Like A Pill,” and “What About Us” followed, with dazzling firework displays elevating the carnival-esque atmosphere.
The show’s aerial choreography peaked during “Turbulence,” as P!nk performed suspended upside down above the audience, still effortlessly hitting every note. Known for her down-to-earth personality, she interacted with the crowd, joked with her crew, even passing out candy, and later sat down at the piano for a touching cover of Adele’s rendition of Bob Dylan’s “Make You Feel My Love.” “It’s a love song,” she mused, “so you know I didn’t write it.”
The night continued with hits like “Just Give Me A Reason,” “F**kin’ Perfect,” and “Just Like Fire.” In a intimate moment, P!nk dedicated “When I Get There,” a song about her father’s passing, which she described as “probably the saddest song I’ve ever written,” to those who’ve lost loved ones.
The energy ramped up again with “I Am Here,” 4 Non Blondes’ “What’s Up,” and an electrifying performance of “Try” with P!nk suspended in a cage. The crowd roared as she closed with “Trustfall,” “Blow Me (One Last Kiss),” and her 2023 hit “Never Gonna Not Dance Again.”
For the grand finale, P!nk strapped into her harness once more, soaring above the audience during “So What,” making sure even those in the nosebleed seats felt part of the action. As the lights came up and the crowd spilled into the streets, there was a palpable sense of shared awe at what had transpired—and a sea of pink-clad fans buzzing from an unforgettable night. As one attendee said after the show “It’s like [Cirque du Soleil’s] O, but not O!”
P!nk’s personality, charisma, and boundless energy shone throughout both nights, proving once again why she’s a live music powerhouse. For her Vancouver fans and myself, the wait was worth it. P!nk is continuing her Trustfall/Summer Carnival tour in the US until November so don’t hesitate to go if you’re nearby!
Head to our Facebook page for the full gallery!
All Photo Credit: Caroline Charruyer – Taken with a point&shoot from the crowd
Concerts Reviews
LIVE REVIEW: Goldfinger Keep the Pit Moving and the Shoes Flying in Vancouver
On April 17th, the Commodore Ballroom in Vancouver felt like a ska-punk time warp, with California punk legends Goldfinger supporting their new album, Nine Lives.
Sullvn got things rolling with a set that didn’t waste any time. Within minutes, hats were flying into the crowd like it was a merch-based game show, and the vibe quickly turned into organized chaos. They brought to the stage Dicky Barrett, former frontman of Mighty Mighty Bosstones for their hit “Raise a Glass”.
Next up was Broadway Calls, proving once again that a three-piece can absolutely shake a room. Their brand of fast, hooky punk tore through the crowd, with songs like “Call It Off” and “Back to Oregon” landing like instant jolts of energy. By the time they wrapped, the room was fully ready for Goldfinger.
Right away, frontman John Feldmann started doing crowd math. “How many of you are under 20?” A few scattered hands. “Over 40?” A lot more hands. He laughed and proudly stated that to still be doing this 32 years later as the best feeling in the world. This wasn’t a band clinging to nostalgia… but they also weren’t about to ignore it.
From there, it turned into the kind of chaos Goldfinger shows are known for, a non-stop blur of songs, crowd surfers, and, of course, the sacred tradition of shoes flying through the air. Somewhere along the way, footwear stopped being optional and started being part of the performance. Pairs were held up like trophies, launched across the room, or lost to the pit entirely. If you managed to leave with both shoes still accounted for, honestly, that’s a personal victory. The setlist leaned into exactly what people wanted. “Here in Your Bedroom,” “Chasing Amy” “Counting the Days”, all the hits, all loud, all sung back at the band like it was a group project. The floor barely stayed still for more than a few seconds, and the security team definitely got their steps in from the steady stream of crowd surfers.
During “Mable,” they pulled fans up on stage to dance, turning the whole thing into a slightly chaotic, very wholesome party. And then… “Superman.” The reaction was instant. Like, no hesitation, full-body nostalgia. The second it started, it felt like half the room got mentally transported back to playing Tony Hawk’s Pro Skater 2 in their living rooms. Suddenly, everyone knew every word (even the ones they probably didn’t know they knew), and the energy somehow went up another level. It wasn’t just a highlight, it was the moment.
When it wrapped at the Commodore Ballroom, the place was wrecked in the best way – sweaty, shoeless, and buzzing. Still, no one seemed in any hurry to leave.
Check out our favourite photos of the night below or head to our Facebook page for the full gallery!
GOLDFINGER
BROADWAY CALLS
SULLVN
All Photo Credit: Heather Horncastle
Concerts Reviews
LIVE REVIEW: Face to Face with Sevendust in Riverside, Iowa
For close to thirty years, Hard Rock’s Sevendust has graced hundreds of stages all over the world, playing sell-out shows to rabid fans. The band, fronted by LaJon Witherspoon, has been recognized for its soulful vocals, hard-hitting riffs from Clint Lowery and John Connolly, thumping bass from Vince Hornsby, and monstrous drum sounds and screams from Morgan Rose. Riverside, Iowa was treated to the full Sevendust experience on Friday night.
The Riverside Casino Event Center has played host to events ranging from poker tournaments to keynote speakers, but on Friday it served as the setting for an amazing night of rock. The show started off with Iowa City–local band NonGrata. NonGrata has become very well known in the Eastern Iowa music scene, having opened for bands like Alien Ant Farm, Norma Jean, Archers, and will be opening for DED this summer. Blending groovy guitars with crisp clean vocals and harsh screams, the band delivers a sound that makes you want to jump out of your seat and stage dive. Although Sevendust was the main attraction on Friday night, everyone enjoyed NonGrata. They were a great choice to open the show and get people excited before Sevendust took the stage. NonGrata will be playing shows in Eastern Iowa throughout the year, and Midwest locals should take the chance to see a new band.
After an hour pre-show delay due to the weather, fans were itching to get out of their seats as anticipation for Sevendust taking the stage rose. Riverside was the second show of the One Tour, but there was no sign of early tour woes as the band broke right into Home. The 1999 track off the album of the same name was a great opener, carrying a hint of nostalgia and a whole lot of feeling. Witherspoon made an early effort to cross from side to side, ensuring every fan had the opportunity to interact with him. Stage presence is always among the highlights of a Sevendust show. Fans know they are going to get two things when they go to a Sevendust show: amazing music and plenty of interaction. The great music kept rolling as the second track of the night was a crowd favorite, Denial. The band was joined by hundreds of backup singers who knew every word, creating an ambiance that added essential energy to the environment.
The band seemed emotional in response to how well they were received by the Riverside crowd. After spending significant time in Europe to start the year, Sevendust said it was good to be home. Because these were among the first U.S. shows of the year, American fans had not yet had the opportunity to hear songs from the band’s upcoming album, One, live. The first chance came with the third song of the night, Is This the Real You. Although the Riverside crowd had never heard the song live, that did not stop them from singing along. Sevendust also played two other new tracks from the forthcoming album, Unbreakable and Threshold. Both sounded great live, and anticipation for the new album is high. Based on the reactions to the new material, the album will likely be well received when it comes out in two weeks on May 1.
The focus on new music did not stop Sevendust from breaking into its classics. The setlist was full of songs a Sevendust show would be incomplete without; Praise, Enemy, Waffle, and Black all had their place in the night. It truly was the complete Sevendust experience. The night could not end, however, without an encore of Rumble Fish and Face to Face. Even though the crowd was treated to a 15-song main set and a two-song encore, they still yearned for more. Unfortunately, all good shows must come to an end, but with 25 dates left on the One Tour, there will be plenty of opportunities to see Sevendust again this year.
One comes out May 1.
Check out our favorite photos of the night below or head to our Facebook page for the full gallery!
Upcoming tour dates:
4/20 – Indianapolis, IN
4/21 – Lexington, KY
4/22 – Birmingham, AL
4/24 – Mobile, AL
4/25 – Destin, FL
4/26 – Atlanta, GA (supporting Alter Bridge)
4/28 – Dallas, TX
4/29 – Oklahoma City, OK
More information on the band’s website.
SEVENDUST
NONGRATA
All Photo Credit: Ryan Renger