Concerts Photos
Gwar at the Vogue Theatre in Vancouver
In typical fashion, GWAR turned the Vogue Theatre into a full-blown war zone on October 29, soaking the Vancouver crowd in gallons of fake blood and alien fluids during their Return of Gor Gor Tour. The intergalactic shock rockers, now 40 years deep into their reign of absurdity, proved once again that no one blends satire, metal, and gore quite like they do.
Led by Blöthar the Berserker (Michael Bishop), the band exploded onto the stage immediately baptizing the front row in red spray. From there, the carnage only escalated and many puppets all met their grisly ends as the crowd screamed for more. Fans came prepared in white T-shirts, ready to leave looking like extras from a horror movie, which, frankly, they were.
The set leaned heavy on new tracks from The Return of Gor Gor, including “Lot Lizard” and “Tyrant King,” alongside cult favourites like “Saddam a Go-Go,” “Bring Back the Bomb,” and the closer “Sick of You.” When the monstrous T-Rex Gor Gor appeared mid-show, the place erupted in pure chaos.
Under all the slime and shock, GWAR remain killer musicians. The riffs from Balsac the Jaws of Death and Grodius Maximus were razor-sharp, and Jizmak da Gusha’s drumming hit like artillery fire. Four decades in, the Scumdogs of the Universe still deliver the wildest, weirdest spectacle in metal.
Check out our favourite photos of the night below or head to our Facebook page for the full gallery!
Upcoming Tour Dates:
10/30 Penticton, BC – Penticton Trade & Convention Centre
10/31 Calgary, AB – MacEwan Hall
11/01 Edmonton, AB – Fan Park @ Ice District
11/03 Spokane, WA – Knitting Factory
11/05 Denver, CO – Summit
11/06 Lincoln, NE – Bourbon Theatre
11/08 San Antonio, TX – Vibes Event Center
11/09 Dallas, TX – House of Blues
11/11 Nashville, TN – Marathon Music Works
11/12 Greensboro, NC – Piedmont Hall
11/13 Atlanta, GA – Masquerade
11/15 Orlando, FL – Warped Tour
11/16 Tampa, FL – The Ritz Ybor
11/18 Baltimore, MD – Nevermore Hall
11/19 Worcester, MA – Palladium
11/20 Philadelphia, PA – The Fillmore
11/21 New York, NY – Palladium Times Square
11/22 Norfolk, VA – The NorVa
More information here.
GWAR
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