Concerts Photos
Alestorm Turns Commodore Ballroom Into One Giant Pirate Party
Last night, I had the chance to photograph Alestorm at the Commodore Ballroom, and honestly, it was one of the most fun shows I’ve shot in a long time.
From the second the band hit the stage, the energy in the room was unreal. The crowd was singing every word, throwing their hands in the air, and fully embracing the pirate-themed chaos that Alestorm is known for. It felt like one massive party where everyone was in on the same joke.
As a photographer, this show was packed with great moments. Between the colourful lighting, the band’s larger-than-life stage presence, and the nonstop crowd interaction, there was always something happening. Every time I thought I had captured my favourite shot of the night, another moment would unfold right in front of me.
One thing that really stood out was how connected the band was with the audience. You could tell the fans weren’t just there to watch. They were there to be part of the experience. Looking around the room and seeing hundreds of people singing together made it clear why Alestorm has built such a loyal following over the years.
My favourite photos ended up being the ones that captured that connection. The laughter, the singalongs, the raised hands, and the pure excitement on people’s faces told the story of the night better than any stage setup ever could.
Alestorm brought the music, the fun, and the chaos in the best possible way. If you ever get the chance to see them live, be ready for a night that’s equal parts concert and pirate adventure.
Check out our favourite photos of the night below or head to our Facebook page for the full gallery!
ALESTORM
All Photo Credit: Raphael Arthur
Concerts Photos
Of Monsters and Men Bring ‘The Mouse Parade’ Tour to the Queen Elizabeth Theatre in Vancouver
Of Monsters and Men returned to Vancouver on June 25 with a packed show at the Queen Elizabeth Theatre, bringing their mix of indie folk, rock and cinematic pop to a crowd that was more than ready to welcome them back. After years away from the live stage, the Icelandic band showed no signs of rust, delivering a performance that moved easily between quiet, atmospheric moments and full-room singalongs.
The evening opened with American indie folk singer-songwriter, August Ponthier, who shared songs from their debut album Everywhere Isn’t Texas, as well as new unreleased material.
At 9p.m., the lights dropped and Of Monsters And Men emerged from the shadows, surrounded by haze and an eerie wash of light that matched the darker mood of their newer material.
The set leaned heavily on songs from their latest album, All Is Love and Pain in the Mouse Parade, giving fans a chance to hear how the band’s sound has developed since their breakthrough. Tracks like “The Actor” and “Ordinary Creature” brought a more layered, reflective side of the group, yet they fit comfortably alongside older favourites.
Of course, the biggest reactions came when the band reached back into their catalogue. Both “King and Lionheart” and “Dirty Paws” had the audience singing along. Then came “Little Talks,” still one of the band’s biggest hits and an undeniable highlight of the night. The familiar opening instantly brought the room together, with the crowd handling a lot of the vocals.
At the centre of it all were Nanna Bryndís Hilmarsdóttir and Ragnar Þórhallsson, whose voices remain the band’s greatest strength. Their harmonies, paired with the group’s dynamic musicianship, made the long-awaited return feel completely worth the wait.
Check out our favourite photos of the night below or head to our Facebook page for the full gallery!
OF MONSTERS AND MEN
AUGUST PONTHIER
All Photo Credit: Caroline Charruyer
Concerts Photos
Summer of ’99 Tour: Creed Gives Winnipeg a Night to Remember
Some nights disappear by the time you get home. This wasn’t one of them. From the first note to the final encore, Canada Life Centre never stopped singing with Creed. Beat after beat, lyric after lyric, hundreds of voices carried the night. If you weren’t there, you genuinely missed something special.
Opening the night was Mammoth. Before jumping into the set, Wolfgang Van Halen asked the crowd how many had seen the band before and how many were first-timers. The cheers landed almost perfectly down the middle.
I also found out he was Eddie Van Halen’s son, my expectations shot through the roof. That’s a heavy name to carry. Songs like “The End,” “The Spell,” “Distance,” and “I Really Wanna” showed exactly why Mammoth is building its own reputation. By the end of the set, he wasn’t just Eddie’s son, he was Wolfgang Van Halen.
Next came Big Wreck, a band that somehow gets even better live. Ian Thornley’s guitar work was effortless, floating between delicate melodies without missing a beat. “The Oaf,” “Come Again,” and “Albatross” sounded massive. Every instrument cut through cleanly, every lyric landed. Big Wreck are definitely one of Canada’s strongest live rock bands.
Then everything shifted. Long before the lights dropped, the arena had already decided who they came for.
“Creed! Creed! Creed!”
The chant rolled across the building before the band even stepped on stage. The opening blast of “Bullets” hit with fire shooting into the air, smoke pouring across the stage. They played like a band with something left to prove. Audiences were locked in just like the band.
The set moved through “Weathered,” “On My Sleeve,” “My Own Prison,” “What If,” “One,” “What’s This Life For,” and “With Arms Wide Open.” Every chorus came back twice as loud as it left the stage. Thousands of phone lights lit up the arena.
After a short pause, the encore delivered exactly what everyone had been waiting for. “One Last Breath.” The crowd barely let Stapp finish a line before taking over. Then came “My Sacrifice,” and for a few minutes, the band almost disappeared beneath the voices around them. That’s what made this show hit differently. The show was about hearing songs that still connect, still fill arenas, and still have thousands of people screaming every word like they were written yesterday.
Check our our favourite photos of the night below or head to our Facebook page for the full gallery!
CREED
BIG WRECK
MAMMOTH
All Photo Credit: Nischal Karki