Concerts Reviews
Spiritbox Turns Vancouver Into A Tsunami Sea
May 6th marked a highly anticipated moment for metal fans in Vancouver, the return of Spiritbox. The “hometown” heroes, originally from Victoria, BC, performed their Tsunami Sea Tour to a nearly sold-out PNE Forum. The tour celebrates Tsunami Sea, Spiritbox’s sophomore studio album which released this past March to rave reviews. As a longtime fan, the announcement of the Forum as the tour stop felt significant as it signaled the group had grown exponentially since their last show in the city in 2023 at the Commodore Ballroom. Their impressive trajectory comes to no fan’s surprise as the past few years have been nothing but an uphill climb. From multiple Grammy nominations to major festival appearances, and most recently, Courtney LaPlante’s performance alongside Megan Thee Stallion at Coachella, Spiritbox has firmly established themselves as a major force in the modern music world.
Well before doors opened, hundreds, if not thousands, of fans wrapped around the Forum’s walls. Many of whom were spotted sporting Eternal Blue era merch, which was soon to be joined by Tsunami Sea designs. Once doors opened, energy surged immediately. The merch lines filled quickly, and fans rushed toward the barricade to secure the closest possible spot to the stage. Even for myself, a sense of energy blasted like lighting as my near six month wait for the show was finally ending. The night kicked off with a behemoth trio of opening acts: Poor Sport, Dying Wish, and LOATHE.
Poor Sport and Dying Wish tag-teamed the night with back-to-back sonic uppercuts, ramping up the chaos. Circle-pits were whirlwinds and heads banged with powerful fury. Once the baton was passed to Liverpool juggernauts LOATHE, the fuse hit the powder, and Vancouver erupted. As their set opened with “Gifted Every Strength”, a brooding atmosphere settled over the Forum. The only light came from the moody side-stage fixtures, like a prelude to a storm. Like lightning, LOATHE yanked the crowd into a whirlpool of distortion and disarray, shifting the energy from slow burn to full detonation. Vocalist Kadeem France and co. delivered a rollercoaster of emotion and brutality across an 8-song set that made one thing clear, this performance was a statement.
“Hello Vancouver! We’ve been waiting so long to say that,” Kadeem declared mid-set, signalling the band’s long-overdue debut in the city. Fans, some of whom had waited nearly a decade for this moment, responded in erupting cheers, especially during cult-favourites “Two-Way Mirror” and “Is It Really You?”. If this was anyone’s first time seeing LOATHE, they probably walked out a fan. If they were already one, they walked out grinning. Either way, the Liverpool prog-metal crew left their mark, and thankfully, it won’t be long until round two, as they return this October. This time, at Vancouver’s staple venue Rogers Arena, as they’ll be opening for none other than metal gods Korn.
Though only minutes passed between LOATHE and Spiritbox, it felt like the air itself was holding its breath. Around me, fans swapped stories, revisiting earlier sets, reliving Spiritbox’s last time in town, and speculating nervously about what might unfold. The room buzzed with a tension that no stage light could touch. Then, just after 9 p.m., the lights dimmed and time snapped back into motion. A low, pulsing bass crept in like a heartbeat, and on screen, an image of a burning ship appeared. That was the moment the crowd went silent, the collective anticipation crashing inward. This was it, the moment we’ve waited months for finally arrived.
The set kicked off with “Fata Morgana,” the opening track from Tsunami Sea, and Spiritbox wasted no time. Guitarist Mike Stringer, bassist Josh Gilbert, and drummer Zev Rose unleashed a tidal wave of sound, distorting the stage with unapologetic force. With it, fans answered by turning the Forum floor into a literal Tsunami Sea of crowd-surfers. While the instrumental trio held command, it was singer Courtney LaPlante’s arrival that detonated the room. One moment, anticipation; the next, ignition. A single line, “Sorrow follows me” ripped through the atmosphere, and with it, Vancouver surrendered their sanity.
Courtney’s vocals defy easy description, guttural and feral one moment, hauntingly angelic the next. On tracks like “Soft Spine”and “Holy Roller,” her screams felt ripped from another dimension, only to dissolve into ethereal tones of chilling beauty. It’s this duality, violence and grace, that sets her apart in the metal world. The night’s 16-track setlist was a showcase of the band’s evolution while celebrating their latest release, Tsunami Sea. Spiritbox left little room for breath as they moved with intention through their catalog, each track bleeding seamlessly into the next. Fan-favourites like “No Love, No Loss,” “Secret Garden,” and “Jaded”drew thunderous reactions. Visually, the black-and-white aesthetic of Tsunami Sea took center stage, and transformed the Forum into a monochrome fever dream. At times, the stage visuals verged on eerie, even nightmarish, casting an almost horror-film filter over the performance. Spiritbox’s set wasn’t without its surprises, with two standout guest appearances that elevated an already electrifying performance.
Midway through the night, Noah Edwards of Poor Sport took the stage to join Courtney on vocals for “Circle With Me,” giving the fan-favourite track an added jolt of intensity. Later, Jessie Grace of Don’t Deserve A Grave stepped in for “No Love, No Loss,” her contribution added grit to the already hard-hitting number. While LaPlante’s vocal versatility was front and centre throughout the night, guitarist Mike Stringer delivered a standout performance of his own. Nowhere was this more evident than on “Black Rainbow,” where his precision and force cut through the venue like a blade. Working in perfect tandem with drummer Zev and bassist Josh, the trio built a breakdown that felt cinematic in scale. A thunderous, tightly-wound moment that echoed the intensity of Mick Gordon’s Doom soundtrack.
Spiritbox closed the night with “Ride the Wave,” a track that began with a haunting elegance reminiscent of Evanescence’s The Open Door era, before erupting into a thunderous, full-scale finale. The crowd, far from weary, left the venue visibly buzzing, many already clamouring for more. For a band known for intensity, Spiritbox exceeded even their own reputation, delivering a performance many fans were calling flawless.
With Tsunami Sea representing what may be the band’s most cohesive and ambitious work to date, expectations for this show were sky-high. Yet, by the final note, those expectations were obliterated. The set was sharp, emotionally charged, and showcased a band fully stepping into their prime. For years, it’s been clear Spiritbox had the potential to break through. With a near-capacity crowd at Vancouver’s PNE Forum, that potential is no longer a prediction, it’s reality. At this pace, it’s not hard to imagine their next Vancouver stop being a headlining slot at Rogers Arena.
I’d like to thank Spiritbox and their incredible team for allowing me to capture the magic that was the Tsunami Sea Tour. If you’d like to catch a future date, or find out more info on the band, visit here.
Check out our favourite photos of the night below or head to our Facebook page for the full gallery!
SPIRITBOX
LOATHE
All Photo Credit: Marquise Monno
Concerts Reviews
TWICE Kick Off the North American Leg of their THIS IS FOR World Tour With Two Hours of Joy
TWICE have spent the last decade growing from a bubbly K-pop rookie group into one of the most reliable live pop acts on the planet. Formed in 2015 through JYP Entertainment’s show Sixteen, the nine-member group (Nayeon, Jeongyeon, Momo, Sana, Jihyo, Mina, Dahyun, Chaeyoung, and Tzuyu) built their reputation on sharp choreography, sticky hooks, and a rare sense of longevity in an industry that moves fast. Their <THIS IS FOR> World Tour marks another big step, as their 10th Anniversary tour. Vancouver got the honour of opening the North American leg, with night one landing at Rogers Arena on January 9.
This show carried weight: it’s the first night of a new leg, first of two sold-out Vancouver dates, first time TWICE ever performed here. Or so they kept saying (more on that later).
Before the doors even opened, the sense of community hit hard. This was my first K-pop concert, and the concourse felt almost like a fan convention. ONCE (as TWICE fans are called) showed up early and prepared. Freebies were everywhere: fake Canadian bills printed with member faces, bracelets, banners, fake concert tickets as keepsakes. People traded gifts with strangers like it was normal, and it ruled. It reminded me of the exchange of bracelets at Taylor Swift’s shows.
Outfits ranged from full music video cosplay to subtle nods. Candy Bongs (TWICE’s lightstick) lit up the building in every direction. Someone even brought a giant inflatable Candy Bong that eventually made it onstage. Jihyo got her hands on it during “Scientist” and used it to whack her own members. No notes.
The lights dropped just after 8 p.m. “FOUR” played in the dark while Candy Bongs glowed across the arena. A massive 360-degree stage sat in the middle, with towering LED screens hanging above. The scale felt serious. TWICE rose into view and launched straight into “THIS IS FOR.” The scream from the crowd swallowed the mix.
Act I leaned heavy on confidence. “Strategy,” “MAKE ME GO,” “SET ME FREE,” and “I CAN’T STOP ME” landed clean and tight as this group moves with muscle memory built over ten years. The ments showed real excitement and a touch of nervousness. Kudos to the translator who helped both members and fans understanding each other as most members spoke mainly in Korean.
Act II raised the emotional stakes. “MARS” and “I GOT YOU” hit with warm vocals. “Gone” stood out for me, especially with the arrangement with the live band. Jihyo and Nayeon owned it. “CRY FOR ME” and “HELL IN HEAVEN” kept the intensity high. “RIGHT HAND GIRL” pulled huge cheers, proof that deep cuts still matter.
Then came the solos. This section turned the show into a full showcase. Tzuyu opened with “DIVE IN,” graceful and controlled. Mina followed with “STONE COLD.” Nayeon brought pop chaos with “MEEEEEE.” Jeongyeon surprised with “FIX A DRINK,” leaning into a country edge that somehow worked. The pink, glittery cowboy outfit was perfect for it. Dahyun played piano during “CHESS” and owned the room. Chaeyoung returned to the stage with “SHOOT (Firecracker),” and the welcome back energy was real. She had missed several dates earlier in the 1st leg of the tour, and you could feel the relief from then fans as the group back to OT9. Jihyo’s “ATM” confirmed what I already suspected. She has unreal stage presence and total command of the crowd. Sana softened the mood with “DECAFFEINATED.” Momo closed the solo run with “MOVE LIKE THAT,” pure movement and confidence.
Then it was time for the “TAKEDOWN” curveball. Jeongyeon, Jihyo, and Chaeyoung debuted it live on this tour, pulled from the Netflix hit K-Pop Demon Hunters. The arena lost its mind. I knew and loved the song going in, but I did not expect that reaction. The honmoon was clearly sealed after that performance.
Act IV was wall-to-wall hits. “FANCY,” “What Is Love?,” “YES or YES,” and “Dance the Night Away” turned the arena into a giant singalong. The fan dance cam kicked in before the encore and ONCE showed up prepared with sharp choreography.
The encore opened with “SCIENTIST,” another tour debut. Before the final song, the members talked again about Vancouver. Nine years ago, they filmed the “Likey” music video in Vancouver. That explained why they ended the show “LIKEY,” an unusual closer that was direct nod to the city. The crowd loved it and screamed the lyrics back at the members.
I walked in knowing only a handful of songs and very little about the members, and I walked out with a bias (Jihyo earned that spot without debate) and a smile on my face. More than that, I left understanding why TWICE have lasted this long. Here’s to ten more years!
Upcoming THIS IS FOR Tour Dates:
1/10 – Rogers Arena – Vancouver, BC
1/13 – Climate Pledge Arena – Seattle, WA
1/14 – Climate Pledge Arena – Seattle, WA
1/17 – Oakland Arena – Oakland, CA
1/18 – Oakland Arena – Oakland, CA
1/21 – Kia Forum – Los Angeles, CA
1/22 – Kia Forum – Los Angeles, CA
1/24 – Kia Forum – Los Angeles, CA
1/25 – Kia Forum – Los Angeles, CA
1/28 – PHX Arena – Phoenix, AZ
1/31 – American Airlines Center – Dallas, TX
2/01 – American Airlines Center – Dallas, TX
2/13 – Capital One Arena – Washington, DC
2/14 – Capital One Arena – Washington, DC
2/18 – UBS Arena – Belmont Park, NY
2/20 – UBS Arena – Belmont Park, NY
2/21 – UBS Arena – Belmont Park, NY
2/24 – Xfinity Mobile Arena – Philadelphia, PA
2/27 – State Farm Arena – Atlanta, GA
3/03 – Bell Centre – Montreal, QC
3/06 – TD Coliseum – Hamilton, ON
3/07 – TD Coliseum – Hamilton, ON
3/27 – Kia Center – Orlando, FL
3/28 – Kia Center – Orlando, FL*
3/31 – Spectrum Center – Charlotte, NC
4/03 – TD Garden – Boston, MA
4/04 – TD Garden – Boston, MA
4/06 – United Center – Chicago, IL
4/07 – United Center – Chicago, IL
4/10 – Little Caesars Arena – Detroit, MI
4/12 – Grand Casino Arena – Saint Paul, MN
4/14 – Ball Arena – Denver, CO
4/17 – Moody Center – Austin, TX
4/18 – Moody Center – Austin, TX
5/09 – MEO Arena – Lisbon, PT
5/12 – Palau Sant Jordi – Barcelona, ES
5/16 – Accor Arena – Paris, FR
5/17 – Accor Arena – Paris, FR
5/20 – Inalpi Arena – Turin, IT
5/23 – Uber Arena – Berlin, DE
5/26 – LANXESS Arena – Cologne, DE
5/30 – Ziggo Dome – Amsterdam, NL
5/31 – Ziggo Dome – Amsterdam, NL
6/03 – The O2 – London, UK
6/04 – The O2 – London, UK
More information on the tour here.
Concerts Reviews
KARD Gets Icky in Los Angeles
Have you ever wanted to know what it’s like to get “dumb litty”? Maybe you need a little cake in your life? If you were able to catch Kpop / hip hop group KARD on December 10th you most likely fulfilled both. Opening their DRIFT 2025 US Tour, KARD was back in Los Angeles after two years to show Hidden KARD (fanbase) how to turn up.
2025 has been a controversial year for KARD, with the group’s previous tour cancelled, many fans still dealing with the refund process months later and BM’s use of a racial slur earlier in the year. This controversy has left fans divided, some remain rightfully critical and have left the fandom due to his actions while others have shown support for the rapper’s remorse. Though not the group’s fault for refunds left unattended, some fans remain frustrated and hesitant to purchase tickets to their current tour as they still wait to get their money back.
KARD has continued on in hopes of regaining the trust of their fandom and delivering performances worthy of the wait. The co-ed group known for their mature lyrics and sultry style led the first stop of their US tour with tracks off their latest mini album DRIFT and some older favorites. The night was filled with highs but not without a few bumps along the way. Starting strong, KARD opened the performance with “Touch” before making everyone’s body temp rise with “Icky.” Taking it back to 2017, the group hit “Oh NaNA” and “Hola Hola,” bringing Hidden KARD back to their debut. Latest tracks “Top Down” and “Before We Go” showed off a softer side to the group.
Sprinkled in the set were a few solo and duet numbers, BM let out his “Freak,” while he and J.Seph showed us they “Been That Boy,” before Somin and Jiwoo took over the stage with “Enemy.”
Keeping the crowd engaged between performances, a VCR played showing the members answering trivia about one another, Jiwoo won the game, earning her the title of Team Leader, while BM ranked last, making him the intern. Though humorous, the video seemed to go on a bit longer than desired. These longer videos are often used as place fillers for newer groups with minimal releases, though KARD has a discography spanning long enough to reliably complete a well rounded production.
The four also took several moments throughout the show to chat with fans, and even play some games. Deciding between things like singing high notes 100 times or doing the same choreography 100 times, the group was split down the middle during the interactive game “This or That.” My Korean isn’t advanced but even I could tell there were some missteps as the translator struggled to keep up before BM had to take over several times throughout the night to make sure the members’ messages were being conveyed to fans correctly.
Despite there being a real technical difficulty earlier in the night when Somin’s mic stopped working, the group ran off stage mid show citing more difficulties – however faking it this time, only to arrive in Santa inspired gear to sing “Last Christmas” to the crowd. Literally shifting energy the group transformed into DRIFT dance track “Pivot,” sweeping the floor with their NSFW dance moves.
Making you want to skip dinner and head straight to dessert, steamy track “CAKE” rang through the venue as Hidden KARD screamed at the sound of the very first note. Everybody going stupid, dumb, fans used all their passion to jump and scream to hype track “Dumb Litty” as KARD jumped along across the stage. The two highly anticipated numbers brought their performance to a roaring climax, ending the night on a high. Bringing the show full circle the members came back for an encore, performing earlier tracks “You In Me” and “Don’t Recall” before closing out the night with an encore of “Icky.”
Check out our favorite photos of the night below or head to our Facebook page for the full gallery!
KARD
All Photo Credit: Rebecca Rowe