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
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