Concerts Photos
Jessie Reyez Brings ‘Paid In Memories’ Tour to the Vogue Theatre in Vancouver
Jessie Reyez kicked off the first of two sold-out nights of her Paid In Memories Tour at the Vogue Theatre on Friday, and the place felt charged before she even walked out.
Toronto R&B artist, Raahiim, warmed up the room with a smooth and short set that reminded us strongly of The Weeknd in the early days.
Shortly after 9pm, Jessie strolled out in oversized shades and a grin that said she was ready to tear the place up. She opened with “I NEVER SAID I WAS SANE,” rolling right into “Beggin 4 Luv.” For “Goliath”, she even brought her father on stage to dance with her. Her voice has that scratchy punch that hits you straight in the chest, and live, it somehow feels even bigger.
Early on, she laid out her three rules for the night: no shame, lose your voice, leave feeling better than you came. Simple, but she delivered on them with wild confidence. She chatted with the crowd like she was hosting the world’s most chaotic group therapy session, remembering names, tossing back jokes, and turning random moments into running bits. That level of connection is rare, and the room love it.
The set leaned heavy on the new album, but older staples like “Shutter Island,” “Figures,” and “Great One” drew some of the loudest reactions. “Figures,” played with just her guitar, brought the place to a hush. Minutes later, bras were flying onstage during “Jeans,” which she calmly hung on her mic stand like it was part of the set design.
She closed her main set with “CUDN’T B ME,” sending everyone out into the cold feeling lighter and a little wrecked in the best way.
Check out our favourite photos of the night below or head to our Facebook page for the full gallery!
Upcoming Jessie Reyez Tour Dates:
Mon Nov 24 – Calgary, AB – The Palace Theatre
Tue Nov 25 – Edmonton, AB – Midway Music Hall
Thu Nov 27 – Saskatoon, SK – Coors Event Centre
Fri Nov 28 – Winnipeg, MB – Burton Cummings
Tue Dec 02 – Montreal, QC – MTELUS
Fri Dec 05 – Toronto, ON – Massey Hall
More information here.
JESSIE REYEZ
RAAHIIM
All Photo Credit: Caroline Charruyer
Concerts Photos
The Charlatans at the Commodore Ballroom in Vancouver
There is something special about watching a band that has been doing this for decades step onstage and look like they are having just as much fun as the people watching them. That was The Charlatans at the Commodore Ballroom in Vancouver on September 11.
Frontman Tim Burgess remains one of the most naturally charismatic figures in British alternative rock. From the opening moments, he was constantly connecting with the crowd, arms raised, dancing across the stage and soaking in every response. There was no sense of going through the motions. The joy looked genuine.
The set balanced the band’s latest album, We Are Love, with a deep run through their back catalogue. “We Are Love,” “Deeper and Deeper” and “For the Girls” sat comfortably beside classics like “North Country Boy,” “Weirdo,” “Tellin’ Stories,” “One to Another” and “Just When You’re Thinkin’ Things Over.”
Tony Rogers’ Hammond organ remained one of the band’s secret weapons, adding that unmistakable swirl to the songs, while Mark Collins’ guitar and Martin Blunt’s bass gave the set its groove. The chemistry between the musicians was just as enjoyable as the songs themselves. At times, it felt less like watching a tightly scripted rock show and more like being invited into a really good studio jam.
“North Country Boy” and “One to Another” produced some of the biggest reactions of the night, but “The Only One I Know” was the obvious crowd-pleaser. They closed the encore with “Sproston Green.”
More than 30 years into their career, The Charlatans are not simply selling nostalgia. They are still making new music, still taking chances onstage and, perhaps most importantly, still look like they genuinely love playing together. Vancouver got a reminder that some bands age, but the Charlatans just keep playing.
Check out our favourite photos of the night below or head to our Facebook page for the full gallery!
THE CHARLATANS
All Photo Credit: Caroline Charruyer
Concerts Photos
Kaleo Brings Icelandic Fire to History Ottawa
Icelandic blues rock band Kaleo played History Ottawa on Tuesday night, headlining a bill that also introduced the city to opening act the Pernikoff Brothers in the duo’s first-ever Ottawa performance.
Pernikoff Brothers Open with Storytelling Performance
The Pernikoff Brothers took the stage first, tasked with winning over a crowd that had never seen them play live in the city. The band built its set around a strong narrative thread, framing songs with between-song storytelling.
A highlight of the night came from their drummer, whose solos punctuated the show and drew some of the loudest reactions of the opening slot.
Kaleo Headlines with Focus on Music Over Spectacle
When Kaleo walked out, there was no need for spectacle, the band let the music do essentially all of the talking. Just a tight, focused set built around the thing that’s made them a global name: those vocals.
Guitar work added a bluesy edge throughout, and the band’s dynamic range, moving between restrained verses and full-band choruses, kept the audience engaged without relying on elaborate production or extended stage talk.
The Icelandic band will finish their Canadian leg of the tour in Prince Edward Island September 11th, before continuing their international tour into 2027.
New Venue
The show also served as an early test for History, Ottawa’s newest live music venue. The room handled both acts well, supporting the Pernikoff Brothers‘ more stripped-down sound as well as Kaleo‘s fuller electric set. Based on this performance, the venue appears well-positioned to become a regular stop for touring acts.
Tuesday’s show paired a promising Ottawa debut from the Pernikoff Brothers with a focused, vocal-driven headline set from Kaleo, all inside a new venue that proved itself capable of hosting both.
Check out our favourite photos of the night below or head to our Facebook page for the full gallery!
KALEO
PERNIKOFF BROTHERS
All Photo Credit: Kieran Delport