Concerts Photos
Exes and O’s Live With Shannon Beveridge – Hard Launch Tour
On March 17, Shannon Beveridge brought her Exes and O’s Hard Launch Tour to the Vancouver Playhouse.
Understanding the importance of diverse representation in entertainment, Shannon is dedicated to amplifying LGBTQIA+ voices through her storytelling. She hosts Exes And O’s, a weekly video podcast where she dives into queer relationships and sex, joined by a rotating lineup of influential queer guests. For this Vancouver edition, she invited E.R. Fightmaster and Breanne Williamson.
Shortly after Shannon‘s VIP Meet & Greet session, we caught up with her and her guests backstage for a few photos. Then it was time for the live show! And it was exactly what you’d expect from Exes And O’s—a perfect blend of comedy, candid conversations, and a whole lot of queer joy.
The night kicked off with Shannon checking in on the crowd, making sure the usually reserved Vancouver audience was warmed up and ready for a night of laughs. She then welcomed actor and musician E.R. Fightmaster to the stage for a lively Q&A.
Things got even more entertaining with the Hard Launch game, hosted by Breanne Williamson. Breanne, a filmmaker, content creator, and advocate for LGBTQIA+ representation, and Shannon kept the energy high as a blindfolded E.R. had to pick an audience member based solely on their answers to four revealing questions. Next up was a round of Would You Rather?, which brought some hilariously tough dilemmas that had both the guests and audience in stitches.
The night wrapped up with an In Memoriam segment, featuring a comically dramatic tribute to iconic queer pop culture moments—think Tumblr, Clexa, and Lindsay Lohan & Samantha Ronson. It was the perfect way to close out a show that balanced humour with heartfelt moments, all while celebrating queer experiences.
As one fan perfectly summed up on the Apple Podcast page, “Whether you are a baby gay, a senior gay, or an ally, this is the podcast you should be listening to.” And if you get the chance to see it live? Even better.
Exes And O’s Hard Launch Tour will be in San Francisco tonight and in Los Angeles on March 22. Head to Shannon’s website for all the ticket info!
We’d like to thank Shannon & her team for welcoming us to the show, as well as Modo Live and Lips Events for having us.
Check out our favourites photos of the night below or head to our Facebook page for the full gallery!
All Photo Credit: Caroline Charruyer & Bailey Morgan
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