Concerts Reviews
Remember Girl Groups? FLO Does, And They’re Damn Good at It! – Live Review
Jorja Douglas, Stella Quaresma, and Renee Downer – you know them better as the breakout British girl group FLO – hit the iconic Commodore Ballroom last weekend for their first ever (and long awaited) headliner visit to Vancouver.
The first thing that struck me after FLO emerged from behind a trio of identical red backdrops was that I couldn’t remember the last time I had seen a decent girl group live and in their prime. I’m not suggesting that they don’t exist, and maybe it’s more of a British thing more than ever these days, but I am old. I remember. I remember the Sugababes (they reappeared for a minute there, recently) and B*Witched. Girls Aloud had their moment. But when was the last time you were at a show and thought “oh shit, I didn’t realize how much I missed the original Destiny’s Child.” I know, right? This really tried to fill that gap for me, and I’m not mad.
To make this FLO review entirely about Destiny’s Child for a moment, FLO reminds me of what I nostalgically remember Destiny’s Child being like before it became the Beyonce Show; Jorja, Stella, and Renee strutted back and forth, trading moments at center stage, coming in and out of the verses as needed. It was well choreographed, and I can only imagine a nightmare series of rehearsals to get it all memorized. It made my photographer head spin, but I assume it was incredible from the crowd! Great chemistry. Teamwork makes the dream work. No notes.
They played all their bangers, as one would expect. I hadn’t heard “Walk Like This” before, which makes me sad because it is catchy as fuck, but everyone else seemed to know all the words. That goes for “AAA” and “Fly Girl” as well, which people had clearly been waiting to hear. I think “In My Bag” was played before the show began, causing those already waiting on the dancefloor to lose their fucking minds, which I bet is always a pretty good thing to hear when your backstage and so far from home.
FLO strikes me as a group better suited to a festival or opening for a top 40 hitmaker in a huge arena. Anyone can rock the Commodore, the speakers are enormous, and the springy dancefloor is legend. I don’t know exactly what I felt was missing – backdrop production quality, maybe? FLO seems like the exact kind of group that would know what to do with a long catwalk splitting the crowd, you can have that one for free, FLO’s production team. The show was excellent, and it was clear that everyone enjoyed the show. So many people figured out the theme and wore red, and that was incredible, but something kept the show from being truly memorable, and I don’t know what it is. My age, again, probably. Maybe I shouldn’t watch clips of them at Coachella before seeing them locally? It could also be that.
Speaking of Coachella, I forgot they sang “Control Freak.” How did that not make it to Vancouver? Madness.
Check out our favourite photos of the night below or head to our Facebook page for the full gallery!
Here’s the setlist from this week’s show:
AAA
Walk Like This
Check
Fly Girl
Bending My Rules
Caught Up
IWH2BMX
Nocturnal
How Does It Feel?
Soft
On & On
Get It Till I’m Gone
Shoulda Woulda Coulda
‘The Pact’ Interlude
Losing You
In My Bag
Cardboard Box
Upcoming Tour Dates for FLO:
May 20, 2025: The Masonic, San Francisco, CA
May 22, 2025: Hollywood Palladium, Los Angeles, CA
Jul 12, 2025: Lollapalooza, Berlin, Germany
Jul 19, 2025: Somerset House. London, England
Sep 28, 2025: O2 Academy, Brixton, London
Sep 29, 2025: SWG3 Studio Warehouse, Glasgow, Scotland
Oct 1, 2025: Manchester Academy, Manchester
Oct 2, 2025: O2 Academy Birmingham, Birmingham
Oct 5, 2025: TivoliVredenburg, Utrecht, NL
Oct 6, 2025: De Roma, Antwerp
All Photo Credit: Jason Martin
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