Concerts Reviews
Shawn Desman’s Got Vancouver Shook With A Night Of Nostalgic Hits
There was no better way to spend a Saturday night than in Vancity with Canadian R&B and pop icon Shawn Desman. The city clearly couldn’t get enough of him either, as this marked the second year in a row he returned to our now rainy home. His last visit packed Vancouver’s iconic Commodore Ballroom, but this year came with an upgrade to the Orpheum Theatre. Shawn’s Back To Life Tour delivered an explosive night filled with hits, new tracks, sharp choreography, and plenty more. Although we were unable to catch opener Jamie Fine, the chatter around the room suggested that Shawn picked the perfect artist to set the tone for the night.
Speaking of fans, walking into the Orpheum halls felt grand. It was a well sold-out show and it truly showed. Fans wrapped around the staircases, eager to grab merch inspired by the early 2000s pop era. Others lined up, just as eager to get into the auditorium and one step closer to Desman. Fans hoped, no, demanded to hear classics like “Night Like This,” “Electric,” and “Spread My Wings.” Little did they know, Shawn would leave them “Shook” with a rapid-fire run of hit after hit.
It started with a bang. The Back To Life night kicked off with “Electric,” and the energy surged through every seat in the house. Fans stood, cheered, and danced, setting the perfect tone for what was to come. From there, “Get Ready” introduced Shawn’s backup dancers Jenna Shortt and Serena Tran. Their sharp choreography kept the momentum high throughout the night, and with their long history with Desman, it was no surprise the three of them moved in perfect sync.
The night rolled on with hits like “Shiver,” “Red Hair,” and “Maniac,” but once “Body” arrived, Vancouver was treated to something special. This was my first chance to see Jamie Fine perform, appearing alongside Shawn for a duet of their new track “Body.” The song proves Desman still has that early 2000s flair, fitting seamlessly with his classics from that era. After the track, the duo shared a few jokes, exchanged a quick hug, and the show launched back in with “Nobody Does It Like You.”
The Back To Life Tour was filled with memorable moments, including a tribute to the King of Pop. “Human Nature” received special attention as Desman shared that it was one of his favourite songs. With a chair, a spotlight, and thousands of voices singing along, it became a moment to remember. Keeping the 80s spirit alive, Shawn followed with a montage of tracks celebrating the women of the era. The momentum never dipped, especially when “Shook” hit and the crowd erupted. There wasn’t a quiet voice in the room. The first half of the night reached a true crescendo as “Night Like This” closed it out, and fans celebrated as if there were no better way to spend an evening with Shawn Desman.
With that, it was encore time, and Desman did not disappoint. We were treated to “One Good Life,” followed by a second round of “Electric.” The hit was so good it deserved to be played twice, and the reaction was even louder the second time, as if the audience never wanted the night to end. By the time the final note of nostalgia landed, fans were on their feet cheering for Shawn, who had created a night to remember. With hundreds of people already spilling into the streets after the Whitecaps game, Desman fans were easy to spot as they couldn’t stop professing their love for the popstar heartthrob. Days later, the Back To Life Tour is still echoing in my head, and it stands as a show you simply can’t miss.
Check out our favourite photos of the night below or head to our Facebook page for the full gallery!
Upcoming Tour Dates:
11/25 Edmonton, AB – Northern Jubilee
11/26 Saskatoon, SK – TCU Place
11/27 Calgary, AB – Southern Jubilee
11/29 Regina, SK – Casino Regina
12/02 Parry Sound, ON – Stockey Centre
12/04 Kitchener, ON – Centre In The Square
12/05 London, ON – London Music Hall
12/06 Windsor, ON – The Colosseum
12/09 Montreal, QC – MTELUS
12/10 Ottawa, ON – Bronson Centre
12/12 Toronto, ON – History
More information here.
SHAWN DESMAN
All Photo Credit: Marquise Monno
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