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
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