Concerts Photos
Bôa Brings ‘Whiplash’ Tour to the Commodore Ballroom in Vancouver
British alternative rock band Bôa closed out the North American leg of their Whiplash tour with a memorable sold-out performance at Vancouver’s Commodore Ballroom on June 27. Making their long-awaited Vancouver debut, the trio was welcomed by an enthusiastic crowd that had clearly been waiting years for this moment.
Opening the evening was Vancouver-based Taiwanese-Canadian singer-songwriter Jia. Blending dream pop, indie rock, earthy Americana, and cinematic influences, her set created the perfect atmosphere before the night’s headliner. Songs from her album Technicolour showcased her haunting vocals and thoughtful songwriting, earning warm applause from an audience that quickly settled into the evening.
When Bôa took the stage, the room erupted. Frontwoman Jasmine Rodgers immediately drew the audience in with her effortlessly expressive vocals, balancing softness and strength throughout the band’s set. Her voice remains the defining element of Bôa‘s sound, carrying emotional weight that translated beautifully in a live setting.
The band moved through fan favourites including “Twilight,” “Fool,” “Drinking,” and newer material from Whiplash, proving that their recent resurgence is built on far more than nostalgia. During “Drinking,” phone lights illuminated the Commodore, creating one of the night’s most memorable moments as fans swayed together.
One of the night’s biggest surprises came when legendary classic rock singer Paul Rodgers, best known as the frontman of Free and Bad Company, made a brief appearance on stage. Joining his daughter Jasmine Rodgers for a touching father-daughter moment, the special guest appearance was met with loud cheers from the Commodore Ballroom crowd.
Despite it being the final stop of a lengthy North American tour, the band played with remarkable energy. Smiles were constant across the stage, and it was clear they were enjoying every minute of their Vancouver debut.
The encore delivered exactly what fans had hoped for. As the opening notes of “Duvet” rang out, the entire venue seemed to sing in unison. The song’s renewed popularity may have introduced a new generation to Bôa, but hearing hundreds of voices fill the Commodore proved its emotional impact has never faded.
For a first visit to Vancouver, Bôa left a lasting impression. Their final North American show was equal parts intimate and powerful, ending the tour on a high note while leaving fans hoping they won’t wait as long before returning.
Check out our favourite photos of the night below or head to our Facebook page for the full gallery!
bôa
JIA
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