Christone “Kingfish” Ingram turned the Commodore Ballroom into a blues church on Thursday night, bringing both fire and finesse to the Vancouver stop of his Hard Road Tour. The timing couldn’t have been better. Just a day earlier, the guitarist and vocalist announced his upcoming album Hard Road (out September 26 via his own Red Zero Records) and dropped the silky R&B-tinged single “Nothin’ But Your Love.” Fans showed up ready for both the hits and a glimpse of what’s next.

Opener Jimi (Julia Nicholson) warmed up the room with a soulful set that paired heartfelt songwriting with crisp guitar work, easing the crowd into a night rooted in groove and feeling. She was easily one of the best openers we’ve seen this year.

Releasing his Alligator Records debut at just 20, Christone “Kingfish” Ingram has already stacked up six Blues Music Awards and a GRAMMY for 662, which won Best Contemporary Blues Album in 2021. Now 26, Kingfish plays with the authority of a seasoned veteran while still pushing the genre forward. he launched into “Midnight Heat” and immediately showed why he’s one of the most respected guitarists of his generation.

Dressed simply in a white tee and silver chain, armed with his purple Fender Telecaster deluxe, and backed by his band (keyboardist Deshawn Alexander, bassist Paul Rogers, and drummer Christopher Black), the Clarksdale native launched right into it and immediately showed why he’s become one of the most respected guitarists of his generation. His tone cut through with precision, every note carrying as much weight as his rich, full vocals. At one point, Kingfish left the stage entirely, weaving his way through the crowd while soloing, to the delight of fans scrambling to capture the moment on their phones.

The encore sealed the night with an extended jam that had the whole venue moving. This was the kick-off date of the second leg of his Hard Road Tour so there is still plenty of time for you to catch in North America and Europe!

Check our our favourite photos of the night below or head to our Facebook page for the full gallery!

Upcoming Tour Dates:
SEPTEMBER
4 – Charleston, SC – Charleston Music Hall
5 – Carrboro, NC – Cat’s Cradle
6 – Charlotte, NC – Neighborhood Theatre
7 – Asheville, NC – Orange Peel
9 – Knoxville, TN – Bijou Theatre
12 – Atlanta, GA – Buckhead Theater
13 – Birmingham, AL – Iron City Bham
14 – New Orleans, LA – House of Blues
16 – Kansas City, MO – Knuckleheads
17 – St. Louis, MO – The Factory
19 – Chicago, IL – Park West
20 – Detroit, MI – Saint Andrew’s Hall
21 – Pittsburgh, PA – Pittsburgh Int’l Jazz Fest
24 – Baltimore, MD – Baltimore Soundstage
25 – Philadelphia, PA – Union Transfer
27 – New York, NY – Irving Plaza
28 – Asbury Park, NJ – Stone Pony
OCTOBER
1 – Boston, MA – Paradise Rock Club
2 – Burlington, VT – Higher Ground
3 – Montreal, QC – Theatre Beanfield
4 – Toronto, ON – Danforth Music Hall
8 – Cincinnati, OH – Taft Theatre
9 – Nashville, TN – Cannery Hall (Mainstage)
10 – Memphis, TN – Overton Park Shell
16 – Los Angeles, CA – TBD changed to The Ford
18 – San Francisco, CA – The Fillmore
19 – Napa, CA – Uptown Theatre
20 – Grass Valley, CA – Center for the Arts
24 – San Diego, CA – The Observatory North Park
25-11/1 – San Diego, CA – Legendary Rhythm & Blues Cruise #43: Sea of Cortez †
NOVEMBER
7 – Berlin, Germany – Columbia Theater
9 – Munich, Germany – Technikum
10 – Zurich, Switzerland – Kaufleuten
11 – Leverkusen, Germany – Leverkusener Jazztage
13 – Hamburg, Germany – Fabrik
14 – Amsterdam, NL – Melkweg
16 – Paris, France – La Cigale
18 – London, UK – O2 Forum Kentish Town
19 – Manchester, UK – Albert Hall
20 – Wolverhampton, UK – Wulfrun Hall
21 – Glasgow, UK – The Old Fruitmarket
23 – Leeds, UK – Stylus
DECEMBER
3 – Starksville, MS – Mississippi State University (Lyceum Series)
5 – Dallas, TX – Longhorn Ballroom
6 – Austin, TX – Paramount Theater
7 – Houston, TX – White Oak Music Hall
JANUARY 2026
24-31 – Fort Lauderdale, FL – Legendary Rhythm & Blues Cruise #44: Eastern Caribbean †
FEBRUARY 2026
7-12 – Port of Miami, FL – Jam Cruise 22 †
† FESTIVAL APPEARANCE
More information on his website.

CHRISTONE “KINGFISH” INGRAM

JIMI

All Photo Credit: Caroline Charruyer