Concerts Photos
Alabama Shakes Bring the Soul Back to Vancouver
After nearly a decade away, Alabama Shakes returned to Vancouver on June 26 for a night that was both a reunion and a revival. Performing at the new Freedom Mobile Arch, the Alabama band wasted little time reminding the crowd why their blend of blues, rock, soul, and gospel made such an impact in the first place.
The band opened shortly after 8p.m. with immediate force, locking into the familiar rhythms that have defined their sound since their 2012 debut, Boys & Girls. As the daylight decreased, “Another Life” brought a warm shift to the rainy evening, with the crowd swaying together before “Hang Loose” kept the mood loose and upbeat.
At the centre of it all was Brittany Howard, whose voice remains as commanding as ever. Her ability to move from a delicate falsetto on “Future People” to a full-throated roar gave the songs a fresh edge without losing what made them special. “I Found You” brought out the band’s gospel and blues roots, while “Hold On” turned the venue into one massive singalong.
The set’s emotional high point came with “Gimme All Your Love,” as Howard and the band leaned into every groove. “Don’t Wanna Fight” followed with equal parts tension and release before the band left the stage.
Alabama Shakes‘ return showed that, after all these years, this band can still make a crowd rise.
Check out our favourite photos of the night below or head to our Facebook page for the full gallery!
ALABAMA SHAKES
All Photo Credit: Caroline Charruyer
Concerts Photos
Peaches Brings Performance Art and Pure Chaos to Vancouver
Despite Peaches, aka Merrill Nisker, being such an iconic figure of my millennial youth, I had somehow never seen her live. After finally catching her at the Commodore Ballroom on September 4, I’m still wondering what took me so long.
Part concert, part performance art and completely unapologetic, Peaches delivered one of the wildest shows I’ve experienced. The night started strong with Pixel Grip, one of the best opening acts I’ve seen in years. By the time Dolly Parton’s “9 to 5” came over the speakers before Peaches took the stage, the Commodore was buzzing.
Peaches opened with “Hanging Titties” dressed in an absurd, head-to-toe costume covered in dangling phallic imagery, setting the tone immediately. From there came a parade of outrageous costumes, surreal visuals and choreography that seemed purpose-built to make anyone uncomfortable. There were hairy body parts, fetish-inspired outfits and enough costume changes to give an entire season of RuPaul’s Drag Race a run for its money.
Yet beneath the shock value, there was a clear point. At 59, Peaches continues to challenge expectations around gender, sexuality, beauty and aging. Her show is deliberately confrontational, but it’s just as playful.
The biggest moment came when Peaches stepped into the crowd and was carried across the Commodore, performing as fans passed her overhead.
The encore brought the legendary “Fuck the Pain Away,” followed by “No Lube So Rude,” closing out a night that was equal parts hilarious, chaotic and completely unforgettable.
Check out our favourite photos of the night below or head to our Facebook page for the full gallery!
PEACHES
All Photo Credit: Caroline Charruyer
Concerts Photos
Wave To Earth Bring ‘the pieces tour’ to Vancouver
By the time Wave to Earth took the stage at Doug Mitchell Thunderbird Arena on September 4, Vancouver was already buzzing. A lineup stretched around the block as fans waited to see the South Korean indie-rock trio kick off the first date of their the pieces tour in the city.
The band’s stage setup immediately set the tone, arranged to look like a cozy living room, complete with windows that opened onto a constantly changing view of the world outside. The clever screens showed footage filmed just outside the arena, creating the illusion that the stage was looking out onto the neighbourhood. Periodically, TransLink buses could be seen passing by, an unexpectedly Vancouver specific detail that made the arena feel intimate.
That sense of intimacy carried into the band’s entrance, with lead singer Daniel Kim stepping onto the stage wearing a UBC Arts cap, a small but memorable nod to the city and its university community.
From the opening notes, Wave to Earth leaned into the warm, laid-back atmosphere that has made their music resonate with fans around the world. The contrast between the arena’s size and the deliberately homey stage design made the show feel like being invited into the band’s living room.
As the opening night of the pieces tour, the Vancouver show set the tone for what promises to be a visually thoughtful and atmospheric run of dates.
Check out our favourite photos of the night below or head to our Facebook page for the full gallery!
WAVE TO EARTH
All Photo Credit: Kelli Rothwell