Concerts Photos
Gallery – GWAR at the Vogue Theatre in Vancouver, BC
On March 20th, heavy metal band GWAR brought their ‘Age of Befuddlement’ tour to the Vogue Theatre in Vancouver, BC.
Here is what GWAR lead singer Blöthar The Berserker had this to say about the impending trek to Canada: “The Invasion of Canada is nigh. We will start our campaign to bring befuddlement to the masses in the cultured and forward thinking American South, and from there, we will launch a coast-to-coast attack on the Great White North, leaving a swath of destruction not seen since the War of 1812. Stopping only to get high in the Pacific Northwest, we will dive directly into the gaping hole of the donut, the American Midwest, before gracing the Dirty South and ending again on the filthy streets of Baltimore! I wonder if we can score crack in the ‘City that Reads.’ Are You Not Befuddled?”
Seeing and photographing has been on my bucket list for a while and I was not disappointed! As expected, it got a bit bloody last night. But before we arrived to this point, American Fuming Mouth and Canadian Cancer Bats opened the night and delivered incredibly high-energy sets that won the crowd over.
Then it was time for “The Blood Of Gods”, Gwar who transformed an ordinary night into a blood-soaked spectacle of metal mayhem. Anticipation crackled through the air, fueled by the promise of gallons of gore and sonic assault.
As the crowd swelled within the packed venue, the ominous strains of Black Sabbath‘s “War Pigs” set the stage for the impending chaos. Then, like a thunderous onslaught, GWAR exploded onto the stage, led by the formidable Blöthar the Berserker, whose commanding presence seized the audience’s attention from the first guttural roar. With relentless energy, GWAR tore through a setlist that was as brutal as it was electrifying, delivering fan favorites like “I’ll Be Your Monster” and “Immortal Corruptor” with ferocious intensity. The stage became a battleground, drenched in blood as the band unleashed their signature torrents upon the ecstatic crowd, leaving no soul untouched by the carnage.
Despite the chaos and carnage, there was an undeniable sense of camaraderie among the fans, united by their shared love of the macabre and the metal. As the night drew to a close, the crowd, including me, spilled out into the streets, drenched in blood yet wearing the satisfied smiles of those who had witnessed something truly glorious.
Check out the night’s galleries below!
GWAR
CANCER BATS
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