Concerts Reviews
Teddy Swims Brings the Fire and Feels to Laval – Live Review
On May 24th, 2025, a rainy day in Laval, Quebec, Teddy Swims took the stage at a sold-out show at Place Bell to begin his 11th stop of the I Tried Everything But Therapy Tour. The show kicked off with “Not Your Man” the opening track of his latest album I Tried Everything But Therapy (Part 2), and the crowd immediately roared to life and sang along. Wearing a combination of a stunning long, red jacket, a white tank top, a Scottish-style yellow tartan skirt and cheetah-print Doc Martens, Swims continued the set with a powerful performance of the crowd-favourite “Hammer To The Heart”, proving the tour to be more than just a concert, but also an emotional performance of powerful vocals that provide a deep connection to the audience who sing along and feel to every word.
Teddy Swims first gained attention in 2019 through his heartfelt covers on YouTube, which showcased his powerful voice and musical style. His early covers of songs like “Someone You Loved” resonated with a wide audience, and slowly led to his rise in the music industry. In 2023, Swims released his debut studio album, I’ve Tried Everything But Therapy (Part 1) which featured one of his most popular songs “Lose Control.” The album delved into themes of heartbreak and self-reflection, drawing from his personal experiences. Following up with I’ve Tried Everything But Therapy (Part 2) in 2025, he collaborated with artists like Giveon and Muni Long. Through his music, Swims has been open about his struggles with substance abuse and his journey toward mental health recovery, and his ability to be so candid about something so vulnerable has resonated with fans and critics alike.
This is Teddy Swims’ third time performing in Quebec, the first being at Théâtre Beanfield in Montreal, and the second being at Osheaga Music Festival in Montreal.
It is impossible to forget about Swims’ band, “Freak Freely”, who accompany the singer with guitar, drums, keys, and backup vocalists. Made up by Jairus Hardge on the keys, Jesse Hampton and Addy Maxwell on guitar, Christian Griswald on bass, and DeAndre Hemby on drums, the band provides just as much energy and soul as Swims, with beautiful displays of musical talent, like electric guitar riffs and drum solos.
As the setlist continued, the stage lit up with pyro during a performance of “Funeral”, which had the audience in awe at the special effects. Teddy Swims did an excellent job at keeping the crowd engaged throughout the night. The show provided a stunning stage set, complete with shining lights, red curtains and stairs up to a higher platform, as well as dynamic display screens on the jumbotron that matched with what song was playing. However, the real star of the show was Teddy Swims’ vocals, which were powerful and on-point for the duration of the night.
Midway through the set, Swims performed a beautiful rendition of his song with ILLENIUM, “All That Really Matters”. Fans held up their phone flashlights, swaying back and forth to the music, creating a sea of light and community. As an avid concert-goer, this is always my favourite moment in a set. It truly shows how music can unite, despite an individual’s background and identity. The moment certainly left an impact on Swims, as he broke down into teary sobs, expressing how he wished the crowd could see the lights from his point of view, and how he’ll never take these moments for granted and is endlessly grateful to the audience for allowing him to do what he does. It was a beautifully genuine moment of the otherwise energetic and lively night.
However, there were a few comedic moments as well, as during the set, the singer climbed the stairs back to his higher-level platform where a prop toilet was waiting for him. As he sang while he sat, fans laughed, not expecting what was to come! Getting up, Swims reached over and picked up fake feces, laughing at the shock on the crowds face. Then, he threw a piece into the crowd, which had everyone laughing, and one lucky fan having a very strange prop to bring home as a souvenir!
19 songs into the set, Swims explained the “Jukebox” part of the set, where he randomly picks a letter from A-H and a number from 1-4, and each combination refers to a different cover he has the chance to play. Laval’s pick was “Rock With You” by Michael Jackson! This was a huge hit with the crowd, and the energy continued as the set led to one of his most popular songs “Lose Control”, and as sparklers rained down on the set, the volume of voices proved that every fan in the venue knew the words.
Coming back for a 3 song encore, first performing “Bed on Fire”, and then moving on to a rock-like, electrifying performance of “Goodbye’s Been Good To You”. The set ended with Teddy Swims’ second popular hit, “The Door”, and once again, every fan in the room screamed and danced to each word. As orange confetti rained over the crowd, Swims and his band took their final bows, as Swims thanked the crowd in a way that truly felt genuine and heartfelt. After taking some time to sign a few items from people in the front row, Teddy left the stage.
Fans headed out of the venue, holding pieces of merchandise such as shirts, hoodies and hats, and completely buzzing with excitement after such a powerful night. From the multi-talented band, Freak Freely, the elaborate stage design and comedic moments, tearful and heartfelt speeches, and Teddy Swims powerful voice, singing to songs that so many in the room could connect to in some way, this was a concert that no one will forget any time soon.
Check out our favourite photos of the night below or head to our Facebook page for the full gallery!
All Photo Credit: Ashley Bellam
Concerts Reviews
LIVE REVIEW: Evan Honer Turns the Commodore Into a Living Room Singalong
On March 30, 2026, Commodore Ballroom felt less like a historic venue and more like someone’s packed house party with Evan Honer at the centre of it all.
The night opened with Sam Burchfield, whose warm, rootsy set eased the crowd in. His style leaned into folk and Southern textures, setting a tone that fit neatly with what was coming next.
Honer’s rise still feels a bit unreal when you line it up. A few years ago, he was balancing college life and Division I swimming. Then his cover of “Jersey Giant” by Tyler Childers exploded online, pulling in hundreds of millions of streams and flipping his life overnight. Fast forward to now, and he’s running his own label, recording out of a garage studio, and touring internationally with a catalogue that keeps growing.
That momentum showed up immediately on stage. Honer kicked off his set with a burst of energy (and yes, a backflip!) setting the tone for a night that bounced between chaos and quiet reflection. Backed by a 5-piece band, he moved easily between acoustic moments and full-band arrangements, switching guitars and moods easily.
A big part of the set leaned on his latest album, Everything I Wanted, which marks a shift in his sound. The Americana roots are still there, but there’s a stronger pull toward indie pop and mainstream country. Tracks like the title song turned into full-on crowd moments, with the audience shouting back every word.
What stood out most was how little it mattered whether a song was new or old. Fans knew everything. Tracks from West On I-10 landed just as loudly as newer material, and songs like “Foolin’ Ourselves” and “Too Far Gone” felt like staples rather than throwbacks.
Mid-set, Honer slowed things down and stripped it back. Alone on stage, he played “Brother” and “Mr. Meyers,” both heavy, personal songs. You could feel the room quiet. It’s a risky move in a high-energy set, but it paid off.
He didn’t let things stay heavy for long with “Jersey Giant.” It’s still the song that introduced him to a massive audience, and live, it feels like it belongs to both him and the crowd now.
The encore leaned unexpected, with a cover of “Sugar, We’re Goin Down” by Fall Out Boy that somehow worked perfectly. Honer closed with “IDK Shit About Cars,” sending the room out on a high.
Beyond the music, the night carried a bit more weight. Honer has partnered with PLUS1, with $1 from every ticket supporting the Schizophrenia & Psychosis Action Alliance. It’s a small detail, but it adds context to an artist who clearly thinks beyond the stage.
Check out our favourite photos of the night below or head to our Facebook page for the full gallery!
Upcoming Tour Dates:
March 31 – Seattle, Wash. @ Showbox
April 1 – Portland, Ore. @ Crystal Ballroom
April 3 – San Francisco, Calif. @ The Fillmore
April 4 – Los Angeles, Calif. @ El Rey Theatre
April 5 – San Diego, Calif. @ The Observatory North Park
April 7 – Flagstaff, Ariz. @ Orpheum Theater
April 10 – Tucson, Ariz. @ La Rosa
April 11 – Phoenix, Ariz. @ The Van Buren
April 15 – Tulsa, Okla. @ Cain’s Ballroom
April 16 – Dallas, Texas @ The Echo Lounge & Music Hall
April 18 – Georgetown, Texas @ Two Step Inn
More information on Evan Honer’s website.
EVAN HONER
SAM BURCHFIELD
All Photo Credit: Caroline Charruyer
Concerts Reviews
LIVE REVIEW: The Goo Goo Dolls Deliver Nostalgic Hit-Filled Night at Canada Life Centre in Winnipeg
When I arrived at the Canada Life Centre right before doors opened for The Goo Goo Dolls headlining concert on Saturday night (March 28th), the scene outside already said everything about what this night meant. The general admission line had completely wrapped around the block, and people were already lining up hours before the show. By the time the doors opened, I could see the excitement in people’s eyes, and you could feel the energy building even before stepping inside. It makes sense, though. The Goo Goo Dolls have quietly broken records, contributed a lot to the American rock songbook, and connected with millions of fans around the world over the years.
With Dashboard Confessional on the bill, the night started without any delays. At first, Chris Carrabba came out alone with his guitar and started singing, which gave the set a more intimate start. Then the rest of the band joined him, and once the full band was on stage and the lights came on, the entire band was seen performing with electrifying energy. They started with “The Best Deceptions” and “The Sharp Hint of New Tears,” followed by “Southbound” and “Sinking.” Everyone seemed to enjoy it, and people around me were talking about how incredible Chris sounded that night. The crowd was already warmed up by that point, singing along and reacting to every moment. They ended their set with all-time favorites like “Hands Down” and “Vindicated,” leaving the audience fully ready for the main act.
The Goo Good Dolls fans were so ready to sing with the band that day. Following the release of the Goo Goo Dolls’ 2025 EP, Summer Anthem, the band has been trending and it showed in the crowd’s reaction. They started with “Naked,” “Home,” followed by “Slide” which brought a wave of nostalgia. Few songs from Summer Anthem touched the hearts of audiences such as “Ocean,” “Run All Night,” and “Not Goodbye.” Things got little bit melodic when they played “Acoustic#3,” “Sympathy” and “Name”. With “Iris” dominating every social media post lately, it was refreshing to hear “Name”. During those songs, John shredded on his guitar and performed solos. The setlist jumped around quite a lot but whatever they did was the best. Later, “Better Days” followed by “Broadway” where they introduced the whole band. Everyone applauded and shouted when they introduced themselves.
Before “Iris” started, everyone turned on their flashlights. It was marvelous to see thousands of flashlights waving throughout the arena. Everyone sang along and didn’t miss a single note. What a great way to end the Saturday night. The band and all the crowd truly seemed to be relishing at the Canada Life Centre. The set list was solid that night.
Check out our favourite photos of the night below or head to our Facebook page for the full gallery!
Upcoming Tour Dates:
March 30, 2026 – Sault Ste. Marie, ON – GFL Memorial Gardens
April 1, 2026 – Oshawa, ON – Tribute Communities Centre
April 2, 2026 – Hamilton, ON – TD Coliseum
April 4, 2026 – London, ON – Canada Life Place
April 6, 2026 – Ottawa, ON – Canadian Tire Centre
April 8, 2026 – Laval, QC – Place Bell
April 10, 2026 – Halifax, NS – Scotiabank Centre
April 11, 2026 – Moncton, NB – Avenir Centre
April 18, 2026 – Georgetown, TX – Two Step Inn 2026
May 15, 2026 – Las Vegas, NV – The Venetian Theatre
May 16, 2026 – Las Vegas, NV – The Venetian Theatre
May 20, 2026 – Las Vegas, NV – The Venetian Theatre
May 22, 2026 – Las Vegas, NV – The Venetian Theatre
May 23, 2026 – Las Vegas, NV – The Venetian Theatre
More information here.
GOO GOO DOLLS
DASHBOARD CONFESSIONAL
All Photo Credit: Nischal Karki