Concerts Photos
Cameron Whitcomb at the Commodore Ballroom in Vancouver
Cameron Whitcomb brought his Hundred Mile High Tour to Vancouver on July 17 for the first of two nights at the Commodore Ballroom.
It was a sold-out show, and the 22-year-old former American Idol contestant came out swinging (literally), opening with a full-blast “100 Mile High” and tossing in a backflip before the first 3 songs were over.
Whitcomb’s set was emotional and personal without ever feeling performative. Midway through the night, he shared he’s been sober for two years, and that milestone became the backbone of the show. Songs like “Flower Tattoos” and “Rocking Chair” took on extra weight when he opened up about losing friends to addiction and grappling with grief.
But this wasn’t some heavy-handed therapy session. Whitcomb made sure the crowd had fun, too. The band surprised everyone with a rowdy cover of “Teenage Dirtbag” and a killer “Smells Like Teen Spirit.” He also tested out a few unreleased tracks, like standout song “Problem,” and somehow made the Commodore feel like a basement jam session with his buddies. He even invited a fan on stage to get a tattoo right behind the guitarist.
Vancouver Island band The Shindigs opened the night and performed an upbeat set of indie-rock charm that warmed up the room nicely.
Whitcomb returns to the Commodore on July 22. If you missed this one, fix that.
Check out our favourite photos of the night below or head to our Facebook page for the full gallery!
CAMERON WHITECOMB
THE SHINDIGS
All Photo Credit: Caroline Charruyer
Concerts Photos
Joyce Manor Bring I Used To Go To This Bar Tour to the Commodore Ballroom in Vancouver
On May 11th, American punk rock band Joyce Manor brought their I Used To Go To This Bar Tour to the Commodore Ballroom in Vancouver for a high-energy, jam-packed set.
The punk rock band from Torrance, California, was formed in 2008. Known for their fast, emotionally charged songs and energetic live shows, they became a major influence in modern emo and pop-punk with albums like Never Hungover Again and 40 oz. to Fresno.
Taking the stage at 9:45 pm, Joyce Manor ran through an impressive 24-song set, jumping into hit after hit, with little downtime. The band kept the energy in the room throughout the night, with lots of moshing and crowdsurfing, especially in their hits “Catalina Fight Song”, “Heart Tattoo,” and “Constant Headache.”
Between the mayhem, the band’s songs evoke a deep sense of nostalgia, capturing the feeling of past heartbreak and growing up. Barry Johnson’s emotionally charged vocals, paired with the band’s raw, unfiltered guitar sound, have a way of making you get into your feelings.
The 24-song set allowed Joyce Manor to premiere a lot of their new material from I Used To Go To This Bar, while ripping through some of their biggest hits on cult favourites, Never Hungover Again and Joyce Manor, leaving something for everyone to enjoy.
Check out our favourite photos of the night below or head to our Facebook page for the full gallery!
JOYCE MANOR
All Photo Credit: Hunter Soo
Concerts Photos
Good Kid Bring ‘Can We Hang Out?’ Tour to the Vogue Theatre in Vancouver
On May 10th, Canadian indie rock band Good Kid brought their Can We Hang Out? Tour to the Vogue Theatre in Vancouver. The Toronto-born group, known for their high-energy performances and catchy melodies, kept the Vancouver crowd going all night long with their quirky personalities and interactions with the crowd.
The band is touring in support of their first full-length studio album, Can We Hang Out Sometime? — A bright, energetic indie rock record about the importance of staying connected when life feels chaotic.
Good Kid took to the stage around 9:00 pm, previewing the fresh sounds of Can We Hang Out Sometime? Opening with the catchy “Wall”. Instantly, the band had the crowd at their fingertips, singing along to every single lyric and getting the whole venue jumping up and down.
The Toronto group have built one of the strongest artist–fan relationships in modern indie rock by making their audience feel like an active part of the band’s world rather than just consumers of their music. There is an official Good Kid discord server, and they regularly engage with their fans on social media. They’ve also tapped into the gaming/streaming space, letting people use their music without aggressive copyright enforcement and have made a name for themselves in the Fortnite community.
Through the night, the band ran through their hits like “From the Start”, Mimi’s Delivery Service”, “Cicada”, “Summer” and “Bubbly.”
The show was full of antics with a wall of death, playing basketball with a giant beach ball and hula hoops, and even lead singer Nick Frosst at one point joining the moshpit. With a show of hands, it was about half of the venue’s first concert experience, and Good Kid definitely made it one to remember.
One thing is for sure — anytime Good Kid rolls into town, Vancouver is always down to hang out sometime.
Check out our favourite photos of the night below or head to our Facebook page for the full gallery!
GOOD KID
All Photo Credit: Good Kid