Concerts Reviews
The Driver Era Light Up Vancouver with Nostalgia, Sweat, and Shirtless Shenanigans
If there’s one thing The Driver Era does better than most bands on the road right now, it’s turn a concert into a sweaty, nostalgic fever dream. On Thursday night, Ross and Rocky Lynch brought their Obsession tour to Vancouver’s Doug Mitchell Thunderbird Sports Centre.
Colombian pop artist VALÉ opened the night and deserves her own flowers. Her mix of Latin pop, R&B, and rock was an absolute hit. She danced, she sang in Spanish and English, and made a real connection with the crowd. Some of the fans already all the songs, clearly having attended previous tour dates.
Ross Lynch, who filmed Chilling Adventures of Sabrina in Vancouver, got a hometown welcome of sorts. Glittery cowboy hats, chaotic signs, and full-on coordinated outfits filled the arena before a single note played. The second the house lights dropped and a curtain revealed the band’ silhouettes for the slow burn of “Touch,” the fans got loud. By the time the curtain actually dropped, the show was already at an 11.
The setlist blended fan favourites with brand-new material from Obsession. You could feel the love for these songs in how loudly people screamed every word. The visuals were on point the night. Think glitchy VHS graphics, checkerboard backdrops, moody neon lights, and even a working payphone that rang several times.
But let’s be honest, this crowd came for Ross and Rocky, and they gave it all back. Ross had his usual mix of chaotic charm and unfiltered stage banter, especially when fans chanted for him to take his shirt off. He gave into the crowd’s request eventually, of course, ripping through “I’d Rather Die” shirtless while slamming a guitar solo that felt straight out of an early-2000s teen movie finale.
The real surprise of the night was detour into Ross’ Disney past. “Cruisin’ for a Bruisin’” from Teen Beach Movie made an unexpected appearance. It was pure throwback joy, like a core memory being unlocked mid-set.
They closed with “Rumors,” “Get Off My Phone,” and “A Kiss,” complete with Ross in a fluffy cowboy hat blowing kisses to the crowd.
If The Driver Era’s goal was to leave fans obsessed, mission accomplished!
Upcoming tour dates:
7/12 – Portland, OR – Theater of The Clouds
7/15 – Mountain View, CA – Shoreline Amphitheatre
7/16 – San Diego, CA – Gallagher Square
7/18 – Los Angeles, CA – Hollywood Palladium
Check out our favourite photos of the night below or head to our Facebook page for the full gallery!
THE DRIVER ERA
VALÉ
All Photo Credit: Santiago Hernandez
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