Concerts Photos
DRAMA Brings ‘Platonic Romance Tour’ to the Commodore Ballroom in Vancouver
Chicago duo DRAMA brought their Platonic Romance tour to Vancouver’s Commodore Ballroom on March 2, turning the storied dance floor into a warm, late-night therapy session you could move your hips to.
The pair, producer Na’el Shehade and vocalist Via Rosa, are touring behind their third album, Platonic Romance, released Jan. 9. The record leans into what they’ve always done well: sleek Chicago house grooves under vocals that feel intimate and unguarded. The title, coined years ago while on tour with SG Lewis, speaks to deep friendship and chosen family.
They opened with the title track, setting the tone with Rosa’s soft but steady presence. DRAMA has built a reputation for their “happy sad” balance, and it was on full display. Songs like “Make It Look Easy” and “Dollar $hort” pulsed with club energy, yet there was always an emotional undercurrent running beneath the beat.
Rosa doesn’t oversell a lyric, she lets it land. On “Savannah” and “Here With Me,” her voice floated over Shehade’s house rhythms, creating that blurry space between a packed dance floor and a 2 a.m. confession. “Here With Me,” in particular, felt like the emotional centerpiece.
The duo’s chemistry is the anchor. There’s an ease between them that can’t be staged. Shehade stayed focused behind the decks, layering basslines with precision, then stepping forward to hype the crowd when the moment called for it. Rosa moved with a calm confidence, smiling at the front row, occasionally closing her eyes as if she were back in the studio.
Mid-set, they nodded to longtime fans with “Low Tide,” and “Drama,” reminding the room how far they’ve come since their early EP days. A cover of “Dancing On My Own” drew a singalong, and their take on “Nobody” and “You’ve Done Enough,” both tied to their history with Gorgon City, were a hit with the crowd.
There’s something satisfying about watching a duo that has stayed independent grow into rooms like this. DRAMA has supported arena acts like ODESZA, yet at the Commodore they felt right at home. The venue’s springy dance floor seemed built for their grooves, bouncing in time during “Billy,” “Long Night,” and “Hopes Up.”
They closed the main set with “You’ve Done Enough,” leaving the crowd buzzing before returning for an encore that included “Years” and “3AM.”
What makes DRAMA stand out is restraint. They don’t chase drops for the sake of it. They build moods and trust the tension. On this tour, that approach feels refined and confident, like artists who know exactly who they are.
Check out our favourite photos of the night or head to our Facebook page for the full gallery!
Upcoming Tour Dates:
March 3 – Seattle – The Showbox
March 4 – Portland – Roseland Theater
March 6 – Oakland – Fox Theater
March 7 – Los Angeles – The Wiltern
April 17-19 – Indio – Coachella
More information on DRAMA‘s website.
DRAMA
All Photo Credit: Caroline Charruyer
Concerts Photos
Epik High Turns Vancouver’s Orpheum Into a Hip-Hop Party
Epik High brought its 3.0 Tour 2026 to Vancouver’s Orpheum on October 20, delivering a night of sharp lyricism, ridiculous humour and plenty of crowd interaction. With BOBO.XX opening the show, the Korean hip-hop trio proved that more than two decades into their career, they still know how to make a concert feel like a party among friends.
BOBO.XX, a musician and photographer who works on Epik High’s video and content, warmed up the audience with a taste of his own sound before handing the stage over to the headliners. Anticipation grew during the break, and the theatre erupted when Tablo, Mithra Jin and DJ Tukutz appeared for “High Technology,” followed by “One.”
The group’s chemistry was clear to everyone. Their introductions quickly turned into a comedy routine, complete with DJ Tukutz’s sound effects and playful jabs at one another. Tablo might be the trio’s longtime leader, but Tukutz had recently claimed the title through a band competition, giving the three plenty of material to work with.
That humour carried through the night. Fan-submitted Post-it challenges put the members on the spot, leading to dance covers, awkwardly adorable aegyo and plenty of laughter. The challenges often involved bending the rules, with multiple notes taped together and presented as a single request. The trio’s willingness to make fools of themselves made the audience feel like part of the show rather than spectators.
The music never took a back seat. Tracks such as “ANTIHERO,” “Rosario” and “BURJ KHALIFA” kept the room moving, with the group’s tight delivery matched by DJ Tukutz’s work behind the turntables. The mood shifted for more emotional performances, including “1 Minute, 1 Second” and Mithra Jin’s solo “Will I Be Okay?,” showing a more vulnerable side to the performers.
The most meaningful moment came when Tablo spoke about the group’s long journey. His message was simple: if Epik High could keep pushing forward after 22 years, fans could overcome their own obstacles, too. It gave “Born Hater” an extra punch.
The trio closed with an encore of “EPIKISM” and “Don’t Hate Me,” sending the crowd home smiling. Epik High’s strength lies in the balance between serious musicianship and complete silliness. They can deliver an emotional message one minute and turn a fan-requested dance challenge into a comedy show the next. At the Orpheum, that combination made for a concert that felt personal, unpredictable and a whole lot of fun.
Check out our favourite photos of the night below or head to our Facebook page for the full gallery!
EPIK HIGH
BOBO.XX
All Photo Credit: Chaehyun Lim
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