Concerts Reviews
Tyler Childers Captivates Vancouver with Soul-Stirring Performance on “Mule Pull Tour ’24”- Live Review
Tyler Childers brought his Mule Pull Tour‘24 to Vancouver’s sold-out Rogers Arena on August 8th, delivering a performance that left the crowd in awe. The Kentucky native, fresh off the success of his critically acclaimed album Rustin’ in the Rain, treated fans to an unforgettable evening of music, storytelling, and raw emotion.
The night kicked off with a powerful set by Allison Russell, a familiar face for those who caught her at the Commodore Ballroom earlier this year. Accompanied by her all-female band, Rainbow Coalition, Russell’s energy captivated the audience from the start. Her performance was nothing short of a musical journey, setting a high bar for the evening.
Around 9 p.m., the stage revealed a scene straight out of a vintage living room, complete with old furniture, plants, mason jars, knick knacks and a giant screen that would enhance the theme of each song throughout the night. As an animated mule pull-turned-countdown played on the side screens, the crowd’s excitement reached a fever pitch. The stage came to life with an old TV set in the center, showcasing clips of past Childers performances, building anticipation for what was to come.
Tyler Childers took the stage with a commanding presence, kicking off his set with an energy that had the crowd going from the very first note of “Going Home”. By the time he reached “All Your’n” on his setlist, the atmosphere felt like one big sing-along, with fans belting out lyrics as if they were an extension of the band. Childers explained that it’s been so long since he played in Vancouver, that he couldn’t remember if it was 6, 7 or 8 years ago.
Between songs, Childers shared personal stories, adding a layer of vulnerability that resonated deeply with the crowd. This connection was most evident during the acoustic portion of the night, where he spoke about the fellowship shared among the audience, despite their differences. With his band taking a brief break, Childers performed intimate renditions of tracks like “Lady May,” and “Nose On The Grindstone,” clear fan favourites.
Childers not only showcased his incredible voice and songwriting but also gave ample credit to his talented band, The Food Stamps. Each song featured a different musician stepping into the spotlight, allowing them to display their impressive skills. Childers himself even picked up the violin for several songs, adding another layer of richness to the performance. This focus on the band’s talents elevated the show, making it a true collaborative effort that highlighted the exceptional musicianship behind the music, giving us wonderful moments like a piano rendition of Celine Dion’s “My Heart Will Go On.” That’s certainly one way to get Canadians cheering!
As the show neared its conclusion, the final song, “House on Fire,” brought the night to a spectacular close. The imagery of a country porch engulfed in flames behind the stage during was both haunting and mesmerizing, leaving the audience in awe.
Last night, Tyler Childers proved why he’s one of the most compelling voices in country music today. His blend of lyrical mastery, vocal power, and genuine connection with his audience made for an evening that won’t soon be forgotten. Childers will be on tour in North America until early October before starting 2025 in Australia. Get all the dates and tickets info on his website.
Check out some of our favourite photos of the night below or head to our Facebook page for the full gallery!
TYLER CHILDERS
ALLISON RUSSELL
All Photo Credit: Caroline Charruyer
Concerts Reviews
LIVE REVIEW: A Sold-Out Night for Sticky Fingers in Vancouver
Sticky Fingers made their long awaited return to Vancouver this past Saturday, April 3rd at the PNE Forum.
For those unfamiliar, Sticky Fingers can best be described as the gateway drug into the world of Australian Indie/Psych Rock. When I first heard of the band in 2016, I was working at a ski resort surrounded by Australians and it only felt right that 10 years later seeing them live, I’d be once again in the company of a sold out crowd, full of Aussies.
The opening act was none other than Ruby Waters. The Juno Award Nominee, Ontario-grown and current Whistler local, has been making waves for some time now. She previously opened up for bands like City & Color and Ocean Alley and has been selling out her own tours across Canada, US, UK and Europe.
Ruby has this raw, emotional, soulful tone that has been compared to the likes of Amy Winehouse, and I totally see why. She performed crowd favourites like Wet T-Shirt and Sweet Sublime, and even performed a new unreleased record.
Sticky Fingers came out and kicked off their set with Land of Pleasure and just kept performing hit after hit. Outcast At Last, Cool & Calm, These Girls (which apparently hasn’t been on their setlist in over a decade), Gold Snafu and even the much loved acoustic set of Cyclone.
Stepping in for lead vocals on this tour is Claude Bailey. Lead vocalist and rhythm guitarist for Camino Gold. I can’t imagine stepping into this role comes without its pressures, but Claude absolutely crushed it. He was able to perfectly capture the Sticky Fingers sound that everybody fell in love with and deliver an incredible performance. The OG members include – Paddy Cornwall (bass/vocals), Seamus Coyle (lead guitar), Beaker Best (drums/percussion), and Freddy Crabs (keys/synth).
This concert was much anticipated and it exceeded all expectations. Everyone go listen to Ruby Waters, Sticky Fingers, and Camino Gold!
Check out our favourite photos of the night below or head to our Facebook page for the full gallery!
Upcoming Tour Dates:
Mon Apr 06 | San Francisco, CA | The Masonic
Wed Apr 08 | Anaheim, CA | House of Blues
Thu Apr 09 | Los Angeles, CA | Hollywood Palladium
More information here.
STICKY FINGERS
RUBY WATERS
All Photo Credit: Claudia Whittaker
Concerts Reviews
LIVE REVIEW: Halestorm in Buenos Aires: A Mountain of Hard Rock
Halestorm, the hard rock band hailing from Pennsylvania returned to Argentina after a decade to launch their latest studio album, titled Everest. The event took place this past March 29 at the Teatro Gran Rivadavia in Buenos Aires.
The night began calmly; the audience trickled in slowly, likely due to the numbered seating, which encouraged many to enter at the last minute. However, as always, the most die-hard fans were inside the theater early. From that same section, and in the absence of a support band, a group of fans spontaneously began singing several of the band’s choruses in unison, delivering impressive vocal performances.
At 9:00 PM, with surgical precision, the first to appear on stage was Arejay Hale (drums), followed by Josh Smith (bass) and Joe Hottinger (guitar). Finally, the frontwoman, singer, guitarist, and keyboardist, Lzzy Hale, made her entrance.
They chose to open with their 2009 debut single, “I Get Off.” They followed up with two more classics, “Love Bites (So Do I)” and “I Miss The Misery.” After these three tracks, it was clear that both the band and the audience were ready to give it their all.
Halestorm continued the set with “Watch Out!” from their latest album, followed by “Black Vultures” from the Vicious LP. Once finished, Lzzy addressed the crowd to recall the band’s participation in the 2025 Black Sabbath tribute in Birmingham. She asked the audience to raise their hands with the classic “metal horns” in memory of Ozzy Osbourne, leading into a cover of “Perry Mason.”
After a massive round of applause, the Americans continued presenting tracks from their new album with “Shiver.” Then—with a dedication from Lzzy to the women in the house—they played “Like a Woman Can,” closing the trio of new songs with “I Gave You Everything.”
At the midpoint of the concert, Lzzy took the mic to sing a fragment of “Familiar Taste of Poison,” showcasing her incredible range and clean high notes, before seamlessly transitioning into “Rain Your Blood On Me.” This highlighted her grittier, “broken” vocal style, proving her immense versatility as a singer.
After a brief break for the rest of the band, Arejay Hale took the spotlight for a drum solo that included his signature giant sticks. The band then returned for “Back From The Dead” and “Wicked Ways.”
The set continued with “K-I-L-L-I-N-G” and “Uncomfortable.” True to the song’s title, the beginning of the latter was the only moment where Lzzy seemed slightly “uncomfortable,” possibly due to a sound issue or a brief memory lapse with the lyrics—nothing serious, and it was resolved within seconds. They closed the main set with the title track of their new album, “Everest.”
After a few minutes of the crowd chanting for more, the band returned with “Freak Like Me,” a true anthem that had the “Freaks” (as the fans are called) jumping in unison. To wind down the night, they opted for “Fallen Star” and the ballad “Here’s To Us,” during which Lzzy Hale donned the Argentine national jersey with Lionel Messi’s number 10.
Thus, Halestorm concluded their third visit to Argentina, delivering a solid, polished, and high-energy show with top-tier sound. They gave their all to both long-time fans and the many new ones in attendance. Hopefully, we won’t have to wait another 10 years to see them again.
Words by Martin Cervetto
Photos by Tute Delacroix (@tutedelacroix)