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
Alestorm Turns Commodore Ballroom Into One Giant Pirate Party
Last night, I had the chance to photograph Alestorm at the Commodore Ballroom, and honestly, it was one of the most fun shows I’ve shot in a long time.
From the second the band hit the stage, the energy in the room was unreal. The crowd was singing every word, throwing their hands in the air, and fully embracing the pirate-themed chaos that Alestorm is known for. It felt like one massive party where everyone was in on the same joke.
As a photographer, this show was packed with great moments. Between the colourful lighting, the band’s larger-than-life stage presence, and the nonstop crowd interaction, there was always something happening. Every time I thought I had captured my favourite shot of the night, another moment would unfold right in front of me.
One thing that really stood out was how connected the band was with the audience. You could tell the fans weren’t just there to watch. They were there to be part of the experience. Looking around the room and seeing hundreds of people singing together made it clear why Alestorm has built such a loyal following over the years.
My favourite photos ended up being the ones that captured that connection. The laughter, the singalongs, the raised hands, and the pure excitement on people’s faces told the story of the night better than any stage setup ever could.
Alestorm brought the music, the fun, and the chaos in the best possible way. If you ever get the chance to see them live, be ready for a night that’s equal parts concert and pirate adventure.
Check out our favourite photos of the night below or head to our Facebook page for the full gallery!
ALESTORM
All Photo Credit: Raphael Arthur
Concerts Photos
LIVE REVIEW: Qveen Herby Brings Her ‘Isle of Qveen’ Tour to the Vogue Theatre in Vancouver
The Vogue Theatre, Vancouver | May 28, 2026
THOT Squad
Opening for Qveen Herby was rapper and songwriter THOT Squad (also known as Blvck Bunnie) who is best known for their 2023 viral hit “Pound Cake” which recently featured in the hit video game “Dispatch.” It’s great, THOT is great, we were late to the party, and we blame everyone we have ever talked to. Why didn’t anyone tell us?
The best way to describe a THOT Squad show (if it can be described) is that Harvey is 50% rapper, 50% singer, and somehow checks math also an additional 64% personality. They’re a lot! Wigs, tops, boots, there’s a lot going on (and in another gut punch to reasonable math) somehow even more coming off. Does removing multiple layers count as costume changes? We’ve no idea!
While leaning up against the edge of what’s appropriate for some of the younger people in the audience (was this an all-ages show?) the crowd was certainly down to sing along with THOT Squad, although one song did consist of a single word (c*nt) repeated for several minutes over and over. Their songs are dripping with emotion and heartfelt content, clearly written during points of their life where scream singing about an ex-partner or punching the stage was the best form of relief available.
Their props were excellent (we don’t understand how her shape light wands worked) and it’s great anytime an artist gets into the crowd with their fans. Entertaining doesn’t begin to describe the set, we just know they need to be booked at every festival this summer because their energy is a perfect match. What a fun opener, and a great way to settle in for a night at The Vogue.
Qveen Herby
The star of the show and the artist everyone stood in line to see (the sold-out show was absolutely PACKED to capacity before THOT Squad even took the stage, not something you see at every show these days) was rapper, singer, songwriter and, as far as I can tell, burlesque sensation Qveen Herby. Making her first ever tour stop in Vancouver at the always amazing Vogue Theatre, Qveen Herby brought her enthusiastic, over-the-top show to fans that have been waiting an ETERNITY to see her perform live.
Starting behind a screen for a song’s worth of shadow dancing, Qveen Herby bounced through “Sensational” before boarding her cruise ship for a quick ride and another song. We’ve seen artists that take their visuals extremely seriously, and Qveen does that. We’ve also seen artists who have a budget for set design and props, and you can tell Qveen’s people have put in both time and effort. What sets her show apart is the tone; more than anything else, Qveen Herby wants her show to be joyful. Colorful costumes, playful backdrops, everything has a little bit of whimsy. There is a volcano! Sailors to assist her! Nothing is dull, or lazy, or overcomplicated.
Must Hear Songs by Qveen Herby (In Our Humble Opinion):
- “The Fool” ft/ THOT Squad (Isle of Qveen, 2026)
- Overnight ft/ Richard Carter (Single, 2026)
- Happy Healed Hoe (Single, 2026)
Vocally, Qveen Herby is a masterpiece. She can rap – proper, speedy rap – and it has defined the later half of her career. But then, after a quick costume change, she is lounging on an inflatable clamshell and singing songs from The Little Mermaid. And it works! It wasn’t until some light researching that I discovered she was part of Karmin, who’s hit single “Brokenhearted” topped some American charts over 10 years ago. I swear to God I thought that song featured Kesha! Qveen Herby is an incredible talent and a joy to watch perform live.
Our Qveen Herby joked that she had never played Vancouver before and seemed genuinely taken aback at the warm reception, getting emotional several times during her lengthy setlist. We hope she enjoyed her night at least as much as we did, and we can’t wait for another chance to see her. Come back soon!
Qveen Herby Setlist:
- Intro
- Sensational
- Self Aware
- My SZN
- Vitamins
- Pure Imagination
- The Fool
- Magic
- Hacky Sack
- Thank Goddess
- Taboo
- Little Mermaid
- Preroll
- Beautiful
- F Myself
- Brokenhearted
- Mission
- Sugar Daddy
- Rabbit Hole
- Aura Poppins
- Housewife
- Abracadabra
- Medicine Woman
- High Priestess
- 5D
- Lucky
- Busta Rhymes
- Sade in the 90s
- Overnight
- Marie Antoinette
- Mint
Check out our favourite photos of the night below or head to our Facebook page for the full gallery. Thanks for attending the show with us, and for checking out our review!
QVEEN HERBY
THOT SQUAD
All Photo Credit: Jason Martin