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
The Offspring Bring ‘Supercharged World Tour” to Vancouver
Born in the *very* early 80’s, I was probably the perfect age to experience The Offspring when they hit it big. I remember when “Pretty Fly for a White Guy” was exploding, and “Why Don’t You Get a Job” was pretty much everywhere for a minute. Remember when Much Music was still a thing that featured music? But for me, the 90’s was the decade of punk/rock songs finding their way into video games and I can’t hear “All I Want” without thinking about Crazy Taxi. I think I played that game to hear that song! Probably not what the game designers had planned, but what do they care? I bought the damn game, take the win!
The Offspring launched 2026 by bringing their Supercharged World Tour to Canada earlier this month, with their second show here in Vancouver. The Offspring are one of those bands you think about when you think of 90’s punk. We just enjoyed Sum 41’s farewell tour last year, and while I hate that they’re gone, others carry on. We’ll never forget you, GOB! Supporting their new record brought their fans out in droves, packing Vancouver’s Rogers Arena.
The Offspring have no shortage of hits, and they rocked their way through them all. Their fans – liberty spikes front and center – had no opportunity to sit or rest from the moment the main attraction hit the stage. Tracks like “Bad Habit,” “Hammerhead,” and “Make It All Right” hit hard. Everyone knew the words, and everyone sang along. Often loudly. Proudly!
Check out our favorite photos of the night below!
Upcoming The Offspring: SUPERCHARGED WORLDWIDE in ‘26 Tour Dates:
Tue Jan 27 — Prince George, BC — CN Centre
Wed Jan 28 — Grande Prairie, AB — Bonnetts Energy Centre
Fri Jan 30 — Edmonton, AB — Rogers Place
Sun Feb 01 — Calgary, AB — Scotiabank Saddledome
Thu Feb 05 — Winnipeg, MB — Canada Life Centre
Fri Feb 06 — Fargo, ND — FARGODOME
Sat Feb 07 — Sioux City, IA — Tyson Events Center
Tue Feb 10 — Evansville, IN — Ford Center
Wed Feb 11 — Grand Rapids, MI — Van Andel Arena
Fri Feb 13 — Hamilton, ON — TD Coliseum
Sat Feb 14 — London, ON — Canada Life Place
Tue Feb 17 — Peterborough, ON — Peterborough Memorial Centre
Thu Feb 19 — Ottawa, ON — Canadian Tire Centre
Sat Feb 21 — Montreal, QC — Bell Centre
Mon Feb 23 — Moncton, NB — Avenir Centre
Tue Feb 24 — Halifax, NS — Scotiabank Centre
More information can be found at TheOffspring.com.
THE OFFSPRING
BAD RELIGION
All Photo Credit: Jason Martin
Concerts Reviews
The Offspring Supercharge Victoria With A Night of Hits
The Offspring kicked off the Canadian leg of their Supercharged World Tour in Victoria on January 22, and from the jump, it felt like more than just another tour stop. For decades, they’ve stood tall in punk rock history, firmly planted on the genre’s Rushmore alongside Green Day, NOFX, and Bad Religion. They even helped spark the rise of one of Canada’s own legends, Sum 41. The timing of this tour couldn’t be better either, landing right after the release of Supercharged, an album that pulls together different eras of the band into one fast, loud, and familiar rush. With a fresh record to celebrate and a hit-stacked catalog that spans generations, it’s easy to see why thousands showed up to sell out the Save-On Foods Memorial Centre.
Even before stepping inside, the night already felt alive. Fans swarmed the area, and more than a few leaned fully into the fun, rocking full Pretty Fly Guy fits. Once inside, that energy expanded. What felt like hundreds instantly turned into thousands, and you could feel it was one of those passing the torch kind of nights. Fans who grew up blasting Smash, Self-Titled, and Ignition brought their kids along to experience the music that helped shape their own teenage years. It didn’t take long to realize this crowd was ready to go off. But before The Offspring hit the stage, punk royalty took over.
“We promised you we’d play here again Victoria, sorry it took us 25 years.” With that, Bad Religion had the room eating out of their hands. The Cali punk icons ripped straight into classics like “Punk Rock Song,” “Recipe For Hate,” and “American Jesus,” keeping the energy sky high from start to finish. Every song hit hard, every chorus was shouted back, and by the time they wrapped up, Victoria was fully primed for what was coming next.
Then, it was go time. The Offspring burst onto the stage and wasted no time, opening with “Come Out and Play.” The reaction was instant. Fans were on their feet in seconds, screaming every word and even belting out the guitar riff like it was second nature. There was no warm up period here, just straight chaos. Noodles made his presence felt without saying a word, flashing Abolish ICE on the back of his guitar, a quiet but powerful reminder of punk’s roots. Front and center, Dexter was unstoppable. Locked in, bursting with energy, and sounding every bit as sharp as he did in the 90s. Any doubts about whether he still had it were gone before the first song even ended.
The setlist was deep, stretching across 20 tracks and touching nearly every major chapter of the band’s career. Smash, Americana, Rise and Fall, and Supercharged all got their moment. Songs like “Bad Habit,” “Hammerhead,” and “Make It All Right” sent the crowd into full meltdown mode. Fans didn’t just sing along, they gave everything back, lyric for lyric, letting the band know exactly how much these songs have meant over the years. The Offspring also kept things unpredictable, tossing in covers that somehow fit perfectly into the madness. “Hey Jude,” “I Wanna Be Sedated,” and even “In the Hall of the Mountain King” popped up. One of the most powerful moments of the night came when Dex sat down at the piano for “Gone Away,” pulling the entire arena into a quiet, emotional pause that hit just as hard as the chaos.
As the night raced toward its finish line, things went nuclear. The final stretch was pure fan service in the best way possible. “Pretty Fly (For a White Guy),” sent the place into celebration mode, and when the encore rolled around with “You’re Gonna Go Far, Kid,” before closing it all out with “Self Esteem,” the building was shaking. During “Far Kid,” a zeppelin balloon floated across the arena flashing the iconic “Dance Fucker Dance” line and the crowd happily obeyed. Confetti erupted during the final chorus, turning the moment into total chaos in the most perfect way. Between moments like that and the relentless energy these legends brought to the stage, it’s easy to understand how they’ve stayed at the top of the genre for so long. The Offspring gave Victoria a night it won’t soon forget, and if this was just the start of the Canadian run, the rest of the country is in for a wild ride.
Check out our favourite photos of the night below or head to our Facebook page for the full gallery!
Upcoming The Offspring: SUPERCHARGED WORLDWIDE in ‘26 Tour Dates:
Sat Jan 24 — Vancouver, BC — Rogers Arena
Sun Jan 25 — Kelowna, BC — Prospera Place
Tue Jan 27 — Prince George, BC — CN Centre
Wed Jan 28 — Grande Prairie, AB — Bonnetts Energy Centre
Fri Jan 30 — Edmonton, AB — Rogers Place
Sun Feb 01 — Calgary, AB — Scotiabank Saddledome
Thu Feb 05 — Winnipeg, MB — Canada Life Centre
Fri Feb 06 — Fargo, ND — FARGODOME
Sat Feb 07 — Sioux City, IA — Tyson Events Center
Tue Feb 10 — Evansville, IN — Ford Center
Wed Feb 11 — Grand Rapids, MI — Van Andel Arena
Fri Feb 13 — Hamilton, ON — TD Coliseum
Sat Feb 14 — London, ON — Canada Life Place
Tue Feb 17 — Peterborough, ON — Peterborough Memorial Centre
Thu Feb 19 — Ottawa, ON — Canadian Tire Centre
Sat Feb 21 — Montreal, QC — Bell Centre
Mon Feb 23 — Moncton, NB — Avenir Centre
Tue Feb 24 — Halifax, NS — Scotiabank Centre
More information at TheOffspring.com.
THE OFFSPRING
All Photo Credit: Marquise Monno