Concerts Photos
Black Label Society Delivers a Thunderous Night at Vancouver’s Orpheum Theatre
Black Label Society turned the Orpheum Theatre into a full-on metal sanctuary on March 17, with Zakk Wylde pulling double duty in a night that never really let up.
The evening opened with Dark Chapel, led by BLS guitarist Dario Lorina. The set was short but sharp, with “Afterglow” quickly grabbing attention. Lorina stepped out of the sideman role and owned the stage, showing off a gritty vocal that caught plenty of people off guard.
Then came Zakk Sabbath, Wylde’s love letter to Black Sabbath. The trio ripped through staples like “Children of the Grave” and “War Pigs,” with Wylde stretching solos into wild, high-speed territory all while jumping into the crowd several times. The set ended up turning into both a tribute and a celebration.
By the time Black Label Society hit the stage, the energy was already high. They leaned into both new and classic material, including the crushing “Name in Blood” from their upcoming album Engines of Demolition. The biggest reaction came during “No More Tears,” a track Wylde helped write during his years with Ozzy Osbourne, which had the entire room locked in.
The whole night was loud, a little chaotic, and exactly what fans showed up for.
Check out our favourite photos of the night below or head to our Facebook page for the full gallery!
Upcoming tour dates:
3/19 Calgary, AB – Grey Eagle Event Centre
3/21 Edmonton, AB – Midway Music Hall
3/23 Winnipeg, MB – Burton Cummings Theatre
3/25 Prior Lake, MN – Mystic Lake Casino
3/27 Madison, WI – The Sylvee
3/28 Detroit, MI – The Fillmore Detroit
3/29 Toronto, ON – Queen Elizabeth Theatre
3/31 Montreal, QC – MTELUS
4/2 Uncasville, CT – Mohegan Sun Arena
4/3 Montclair, NJ – The Wellmont Theater
4/4 Boston, MA – MGM Music Hall at Fenway
4/6 Philadelphia, PA – The Fillmore Philadelphia
4/7 Norfolk, VA – The NorVa
4/9 Atlanta, GA – Tabernacle
4/10 Charlotte, NC – The Fillmore Charlotte
5/10 North Myrtle Beach, SC – House of Blues
5/11 Silver Spring, MD – The Fillmore Silver Spring
5/12 Salem, VA – Salem Civic Center
5/14 Nashville, TN – Ryman Auditorium
More information on the Black Label Society’s website.
BLACK LABEL SOCIETY
ZAKK SABBATH
All Photo Credit: Caroline Charruyer
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
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