Concerts Photos
Christone “Kingfish” Ingram at the Commodore Ballroom in Vancouver
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
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