Concerts Photos
FVDED In The Park 2024 – Day 1
FVDED IN THE PARK 2024 | Day One
Holland Park, Surrey, BC | July 5, 2024
FVDED IN THE PARK, Western Canada’s largest music festival, returned to Surrey’s Holland Park with a bang after a one-year hiatus in 2023. Over the course of two days, this sold-out event drew in 40,000 attendees eager to experience its cutting-edge lineup and state-of-the-art stages. Gone this year were the live screens and supporting lineup of rappers, pop stars, and alternative rock, with the festival re-focusing on the EDM and DJs that have made the event such a success since 2015.
From the iconic Swedish House Mafia to the dynamic duo Kx5 (featuring Deadmau5 and Kaskade), the festival showcased a diverse mix of electronic artists. The real treat was the earlier artists in the lineup, local and emerging musicians who played to smaller, more intimate audiences, across the three stages. Performers like Vancouver’s S@M I @M, the inspirational Marah, and the the madly energetic fan-favourite Rusko created some amazing experiences in that incredible space between the almost-unberable heat and sundown!
Holland Park was buzzing with energy, making for a hot and bustling weekend of music and festivities. We were on hand through most of the weekend, mingling with the crowd and enjoying the atmosphere. We loved the new Forest Stage (despite its direct sunlight and blistering heat) which replaced the FVDED Lab fans might remember from previous years . Another great addition to FVDED this year was the dance teams periodically driving the crowds at the Forest and Northwest stages. Clad in futuristic armor, forest ranger uniforms, and more, these supporting artists brought a lot to show and were a welcome addition to the festiva.! The festival grounds were packed and there were way too much going on to see or hear everything, but we had a blast and can’t wait for next year’s artist announcements and weekend. Enjoy our favourite photos of day one below or head to our Facebook page for the full gallery!
All Photo Credit: Jason Martin
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