Concerts Photos
Elevate Music Project 2026 Semi-Finals

Elevate Music Project made its return to Vancouver with a stacked semi-finals night at the Biltmore Cabaret. Six acts, six very different sounds, and a room full of people ready to back local music on a cold January night.

The lineup moved briskly, starting with Carmine. The Victoria-based, female-fronted alt-rock band sounded tight and confident, leaning into sharp hooks and emotional swings. Their songs hit that sweet spot between grit and melody, and the crowd locked in fast. Knowing this band formed almost immediately after a breakup makes their chemistry even more impressive.

Tasavoor followed and flipped the vibe completely. The three-piece blended western textures, funk rhythms, blues grit, and eastern melodies into long, winding songs that felt loose in the best way. They shared that they refuse to play songs the same way twice, and gave their set an unpredictable edge.

The Canyon Riders brought the night back to roots-driven rock. Their sound leaned hard into blues and country rock, powered by a driving rhythm section and duelling guitars that nodded to Southern rock traditions. The band played like they’d been road-tested, and the crowd responded to that honest, no-frills energy.

Snowchild Edge was one of the night’s most magnetic performers. Blending alt-hip hop, R&B, and Afro-fusion, he owned the room with ease. Mid-set, he jumped into the crowd to hype people up, breaking any remaining barrier between stage and floor. His songs carried weight, touching on identity and connection. It was definitely a set that made you stop talking and just watch.

Then came Dani Black, who made it very clear why her name carries so much buzz. Her songwriting stood out immediately, sharp and emotional, delivered with a voice that cut straight through the room. She sang like someone who’s been through it and came back stronger. There was a calm confidence to her presence that felt effortless, the kind you expect from a pop artist with serious range. The audience listened closely, and the applause said it all. We can’t wait to see what she does next!

Closing the night was Summer’s Brother, who leaned fully into art-rock theatrics. With fuzzy guitars, synths, and bold visuals, their set felt like a late-night art show wrapped in indie pop and psych-rock. They weren’t afraid to get weird, and that commitment paid off. The band’s chemistry was tight, and their genre-blurring approach gave the night a fittingly unpredictable ending.
Elevate Music Project has always been about giving Vancouver artists real opportunities, and this semi-finals night proved why the format works. If this is the level heading into the finals, the competition is wide open, and Vancouver music fans are the real winners.
The Finals will be held at the Vogue Theatre on January 22, 2026. Get your tickets here.
Check out our favourite photos of the night below or head to our Facebook page for the full gallery!
CARMINE



TASAVOOR



CANYON RIDERS



SNOWCHILD EDGE



DANI BLACK



SUMMER’S BROTHER



All Photo Credit: Caroline Charruyer
Concerts Photos
The Dreggs close off “Heading Home Tour” in Perth!
Australian duo – The Dreggs – brought their Heading Home Tour to a close with a sold-out show at Metropolis Fremantle in Perth. It was a night full of good vibes, big smiles and plenty of energy, with the crowd giving the band a warm welcome from the very beginning.
The evening kicked off with two support acts, Ella Jones and Betty Taylor Band. Both delivered great sets, bringing plenty of energy to the room and getting the crowd ready for the main event.
When The Dreggs finally took the stage, the atmosphere only got better. The duo moved effortlessly between upbeat tracks like “Stay the Night” and “We Don’t Talk,” and more melancholic moments that gave the show a different, more intimate feel.
There was something special about the whole night. From the first songs to the final moments, the smiles on stage seemed to match those in the crowd. A sold-out venue, great support acts and a band clearly enjoying every second of it – a pretty perfect way for The Dreggs to wrap up their Heading Home Tour!
Check out our favorite photos of the night below or head to our Facebook page for the full gallery!
THE DREGGS










All Photo Credit: Martyna Florczuk
Concerts Photos
Olivia O’Brien Brings ‘The Pixie Tour’ to Pacific Electric in Los Angeles
While many people would likely agree with Garfield about hating Mondays, fans at Pacific Electric on Monday, November 2nd, probably disagreed. Eager fans of both Sophie Cates and Olivia O’Brien filled the room. Dressed in fairy wings and princess crowns, the night was guaranteed to be whimsical.
As the clock struck 8:00 pm, the lights began to dim. The crowd screamed as Sophie Cates took the stage. Singing songs from previous albums and from her upcoming album, this would be the first time that Sophie had been on stage in a couple of years. After releasing her debut album, Yikes! in 2019, Cates was later signed to RCA Records. Since then, she has released multiple EPs and her second studio album, “SUPERNOVA.” Sophie joined Olivia O’Brien on her North American tour for her new album, Pixie.
As we waited for Olivia to take the stage, some fans passed around little slips of purple paper. As each member of the crowd received a slip, a message was passed along: “When Icarus comes on, place this piece of paper in front of your camera light.” The sense of community among the fans felt surreal. To most, the purple cardstock creates a cool lighting effect, but to the fans, it creates an emotional atmosphere.
Soon after everyone received their slip of purple paper, Olivia was ready to take the stage. Dressed in her album’s theme, she wore a beautiful slip dress and her iconic pixie wings. O’Brien’s sophomore album, Pixie, is a 15-track record that explores projection and fantasy while confronting the manipulative patterns of past relationships. With questions about self-worth and identity, Olivia acknowledges her past relationship dynamics and struggles with letting go. Pixie also highlights the sense of betrayal and emotional abuse that come from toxic dynamics.
While Pixie may have been written about past relationship struggles and learning to navigate life as a girl in her mid-twenties, Olivia also drew inspiration from her childhood innocence. Stories like Percy Jackson sparked the fascination and curiosity that brought back a piece of childlike wonder.
Check out our favourite photos of the night below or head to our Facebook page for the full gallery!
OLIVIA O’BRIEN IN LOS ANGELES







SOPHIE CATES



All Photo Credit: Taylor Blazer
