Concerts Photos
Hannah Bahng at the Vogue Theatre in Vancouver
Hannah Bahng brought a calm, confident presence to the Vogue Theatre on November 14, delivering a focused and thoughtfully paced stop on her Misunderstood World Tour.
RealestK opened the night with a smooth set that set the tone without pulling attention from the main event.
When the lights dimmed and Hannah stepped into a soft spotlight, the crowd shifted from chatter to full attention. She opened with “what never lived,” her voice sharp and gentle at the same time, before moving into “Sweet Satin Boy” and “tonight’s the night i die to a frank ocean song,” shifting between playful and gut-punch serious like it was nothing.
Hannah was in full musician mode all night: guitar in hand, piano under her fingertips, and at one point, kicking the cymbals before sending a drumstick flying into the crowd. “Ribs” was the quiet high point, done as a soft acoustic moment with her guitarist. Phones were up, but everyone stayed still, trying not to breathe too loudly.
Then came “Fashion Show,” her chaotic mid-set bit where she pulled a fan onstage to strut around with her. The fan looked like she might actually melt on the spot. It was goofy, sweet, and fit right into tone of the night.
The set highlighted the core of her catalog, including “Abysmal,” “Oleander,” “raison d’être,” and the unreleased “Malibu.” Each track landed with a clean, cohesive arrangement that matched the polished production of the tour. Her covers added variety: Britney Spears’ “Baby One More Time” leaned fun and loose, while Billie Eilish’s “WILDFLOWER” shifted the room into a slower, more reflective mood.
She joked a few times about this being her first time in Vancouver and how Jollibee (conveniently located across the street) had her in a chokehold. The crowd loved it.
Fans responded strongest to “Misunderstood,” which drew some of the loudest crowd vocals of the night. She wrapped the night with “perfect blues,” keeping the ending simple and steady. Overall the show delivered a solid, well-executed performance that underscored her growing confidence as a live artist.
Check out our favourite photos of the night below or head to our Facebook page for the full gallery!
Upcoming Tour Dates:
11/15 Portland, OR – Wonder Ballroom
11/16 Seattle, WA – Showbox @ The Market
11/18 San Francisco, CA – Regency
11/20 Santa Ana, CA – Observatory
11/21 Los Angeles, CA – The Fonda
11/25 San Diego, CA – House of Blues
11/26 Phoenix, AZ – Crescent Ballroom
11/28 Mexico City, MX – ABB
12/02 Houston, TX – House of Blues
12/03 Dallas, TX – House of Blues
More information on her website.
HANNAH BAHNG
REALESTK
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