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
Buffalo Traffic Jam at the Danforth Music Hall in Toronto
There is something magical about voices matching the season. The excitement of walking up to the Danforth Music Hall on the perfect autumn night, only to be engulfed in raw, emotive rasp.
Lydia Maes really pulled me in. There’s such an emotional quality to her voice. The way she incorporates the saxophone and the way she hypnotizes the crowd. She played a beautiful set and then later came out with her fiddle, to join Buffalo Traffic Jam.
Colin Lynch completely caught me off guard, with a voice that sounds like he sells out stadiums. He’s young, but that soulful, raspy, depth speaks to every age.
Then came the one and only Buffalo Traffic Jam. Gritty, earthy harmonies took over the Danforth and the crowd was electrified. There’s something about their sound that feels both stripped down and warm at the same time, and the moment they started, we were all at their mercy.
Check out our favourite photos of the night below or head to our Facebook page for the full gallery!
BUFFALO TRAFFIC JAM
COLIN LYNCH
LYDIA MAES
All Photo Credit: Bailey Morgan
Concerts Photos
Sabaton Bring Fire and Fury to Vancouver on North American Tour Finale
After many many years away from Vancouver, Sabaton returned to the PNE Forum on October 8 for a fiery night of heavy metal, military-themed theatrics and massive sing-alongs. The Swedish metal band chose the city to close out its North American tour, and it went out with a bang.
Opening the night was Pop Evil, whose modern hard rock offered a different sound from the headliner’s power metal. Tracks like “Trenches” brought plenty of energy, giving the crowd a reason to get moving before the main event. Their heavier riffs and commanding stage presence made for a solid start to the evening despite the low lighting.
Sabaton wasted little time making its return count. Kicking off with “Ghost Division,” the band delivered a wall of sound backed by pounding drums, sharp guitar riffs and bursts of fire that lit up the Forum. The stage, complete with military-inspired hardware, gave the performance the feel of a full-scale production rather than a standard metal concert.
Frontman Joakim Brodén led the charge with his unmistakable voice and natural sense of showmanship. Songs like “The Last Stand,” “Stormtroopers” and “Night Witches” showcased the band’s knack for turning historical stories into anthems built for thousands of voices. The crowd happily did its part, singing along throughout the night.
The spectacle never distracted from the music. Flames punctuated the band’s heaviest moments, adding extra intensity to “Bismarck,” “Fields of Verdun” and “The Attack of the Dead Men.” For the latter, the band leaned into the song’s subject matter with gas masks, adding another theatrical touch to an already explosive set.
The closing stretch was pure Sabaton. “Swedish Pagans” brought another huge audience sing-along before “Primo Victoria” and “To Hell and Back” sent the Forum into the night at full volume.
After seven years, Sabaton gave Vancouver plenty of reasons to welcome them back. Closing the North American tour with a performance this tight, loud and entertaining was a fitting end to the run. With commanding vocals, memorable choruses and enough pyro to warm the entire Forum, the band left little doubt that its next visit cannot come soon enough.
Check out our favourite photos of the night below or head to our Facebook page for the full gallery!
SABATON
POP EVIL
All Photo Credit: Caroline Charruyer