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

Last Friday, Jungle kicked off the night in Paris to the sound of “Smile”, opening the show in front of a crowd ready to celebrate.

Their signature basslines swept through the venue, making every one of the 20,000 souls packed inside vibrate. It is hard to find the words for what makes Jungle so magical, other than the spell cast by a sound that blends electronic, reggae and hip-hop influences, one that gives you goosebumps and sets your body in motion. Simply put, it is impossible to hear their music without dancing, smiling and feeling good.

Fast tempos, intricate rhythms and heavy basslines are the usual shorthand for their sound, but live, it becomes something more. Every song carried a touch of magic that no description quite captures, turning the arena into one giant dancefloor.

These photos try to capture what words can’t, a night where Jungle turned an arena into a shared celebration, and where the music did all the talking.

Check out our favourite photos of the night below or head to our Facebook page for the full gallery!

JUNGLE IN PARIS

All Photo Credit: Jessica Camil