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
The Charlatans at the Commodore Ballroom in Vancouver
There is something special about watching a band that has been doing this for decades step onstage and look like they are having just as much fun as the people watching them. That was The Charlatans at the Commodore Ballroom in Vancouver on September 11.
Frontman Tim Burgess remains one of the most naturally charismatic figures in British alternative rock. From the opening moments, he was constantly connecting with the crowd, arms raised, dancing across the stage and soaking in every response. There was no sense of going through the motions. The joy looked genuine.
The set balanced the band’s latest album, We Are Love, with a deep run through their back catalogue. “We Are Love,” “Deeper and Deeper” and “For the Girls” sat comfortably beside classics like “North Country Boy,” “Weirdo,” “Tellin’ Stories,” “One to Another” and “Just When You’re Thinkin’ Things Over.”
Tony Rogers’ Hammond organ remained one of the band’s secret weapons, adding that unmistakable swirl to the songs, while Mark Collins’ guitar and Martin Blunt’s bass gave the set its groove. The chemistry between the musicians was just as enjoyable as the songs themselves. At times, it felt less like watching a tightly scripted rock show and more like being invited into a really good studio jam.
“North Country Boy” and “One to Another” produced some of the biggest reactions of the night, but “The Only One I Know” was the obvious crowd-pleaser. They closed the encore with “Sproston Green.”
More than 30 years into their career, The Charlatans are not simply selling nostalgia. They are still making new music, still taking chances onstage and, perhaps most importantly, still look like they genuinely love playing together. Vancouver got a reminder that some bands age, but the Charlatans just keep playing.
Check out our favourite photos of the night below or head to our Facebook page for the full gallery!
THE CHARLATANS
All Photo Credit: Caroline Charruyer
Concerts Photos
Kaleo Brings Icelandic Fire to History Ottawa
Icelandic blues rock band Kaleo played History Ottawa on Tuesday night, headlining a bill that also introduced the city to opening act the Pernikoff Brothers in the duo’s first-ever Ottawa performance.
Pernikoff Brothers Open with Storytelling Performance
The Pernikoff Brothers took the stage first, tasked with winning over a crowd that had never seen them play live in the city. The band built its set around a strong narrative thread, framing songs with between-song storytelling.
A highlight of the night came from their drummer, whose solos punctuated the show and drew some of the loudest reactions of the opening slot.
Kaleo Headlines with Focus on Music Over Spectacle
When Kaleo walked out, there was no need for spectacle, the band let the music do essentially all of the talking. Just a tight, focused set built around the thing that’s made them a global name: those vocals.
Guitar work added a bluesy edge throughout, and the band’s dynamic range, moving between restrained verses and full-band choruses, kept the audience engaged without relying on elaborate production or extended stage talk.
The Icelandic band will finish their Canadian leg of the tour in Prince Edward Island September 11th, before continuing their international tour into 2027.
New Venue
The show also served as an early test for History, Ottawa’s newest live music venue. The room handled both acts well, supporting the Pernikoff Brothers‘ more stripped-down sound as well as Kaleo‘s fuller electric set. Based on this performance, the venue appears well-positioned to become a regular stop for touring acts.
Tuesday’s show paired a promising Ottawa debut from the Pernikoff Brothers with a focused, vocal-driven headline set from Kaleo, all inside a new venue that proved itself capable of hosting both.
Check out our favourite photos of the night below or head to our Facebook page for the full gallery!
KALEO
PERNIKOFF BROTHERS
All Photo Credit: Kieran Delport