Concerts Reviews
Radical Optimism, French Edition: Dua Lipa in Paris – Live Review
Paris, France @ Paris La Défense Arena on May 23, 2025
Dua Lipa turned Paris into a giant dancefloor last Friday, kicking off two back-to-back sold-out nights at La Défense Arena. With 90,000 fans packing the venue across both shows, the energy was massive and so was the setlist.
I had a Fosse OR ticket for night one, which meant access to the golden pit. Knowing how chaotic this venue can get, I showed up early (as in five hours early) to grab a good spot. The line was actually a good time. I met some great people and swapped stories about past shows. But once the doors opened, things got intense. Folks pushed, elbowed, and ignored any sense of personal space. It made me miss the (relatively) polite pit culture back in Canada. Still, once Dua hit the stage, the crowd mayhem faded fast.
She launched the show with “Training Season,” and the tone was set. Dua’s stage presence is smooth but commanding. There are no a lot of theatrics, just sharp visuals, solid vocals, and great choreography. “End of an Era” and “Break My Heart” came next, making it clear she wasn’t easing into things. This was a full-on sprint through her discography.
One of the most fun moments came before “These Walls,” when Dua made her way down to the barricade to chat with fans and take selfies. She even played rock paper scissors with someone in the front row. After that, she walked down to the end of the thrust and carried on.
The Radical Optimism tracks hit just as hard live as the hits she’s best known for. “Whatcha Doing,” “These Walls,” “Maria,” and “Illusion” all landed with big reactions. But the surprise of the night (and my personal highlight) was her cover of “Lolita” by Alizée. It’s part of her ongoing tour tradition to cover one song from the country she’s in, and in Paris, she absolutely nailed it. The crowd freaked, phones went up, and fans sang every word.
Later, she brought the house down with high-energy staples like “Physical,” “Electricity,” and “Hallucinate.” But instead of closing the main set with a big club banger, she brought it in closer with “Be the One.” Once again, she returned to the barricade and sang it with fans, making the moment special.
Then came the encore, and she didn’t hold back. “New Rules” kicked it off, and the crowd instantly snapped back into full voice mode. “Dance the Night” kept the party going, while “Don’t Start Now” had the whole arena jumping like it was 2020 all over again (her now-famous dance move nowhere to be seen sadly – it was a nice little iykyk moment on her Future Nostalgia tour). She wrapped the night with “Houdini.” It was the perfect cap to a set that hit every high, and then some.
Dua’s Paris crowd was wild, but they showed up for the right reasons. She’s got a grip on what a pop show should be in 2025. Smart pacing, big hooks, and just enough surprise to keep you talking about it days later. Just Dua Lipa owning the stage and reminding everyone why she’s one of the best doing it right now.
I’ll be catching her again in Seattle this October, where she wraps her North American leg. Hopefully the pit will be a little less pushy, but if it’s not, I’ll still be there. Worth it.
More info on the Radical Optimism tour here.
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