Concerts Photos
Joey Valence & Brae at the Vogue Theatre in Vancouver
Joey Valence & Brae (aka JVB) turned the Vogue Theatre into pure chaos on September 25, the third stop of their HYPERYOUTH World Tour. The sold-out crowd didn’t just show up, they followed the duo’s Instagram-published “tour rules” to the letter: dance, scream, mosh, sweat, repeat. Vancouver fans obliged, packing the floor shoulder-to-shoulder and turning the venue into one giant pit.
From the second Joey and Brae hit the stage, the energy was relentless. Their chemistry was the kind you can’t fake: Joey’s rapid-fire rhymes ping-ponging off Brae’s goofy charisma in a way that kept every song unpredictable. They bounced, sprinted, and flung themselves around like cartoon characters on a sugar rush, but it never felt gimmicky. It felt like controlled chaos, fueled by breakbeats, video game samples, and throwback flows that channelled early-2000s Beastie Boys while twisting them into something distinctly modern.
The set leaned into their new album HYPERYOUTH, a record about growing up without losing your sense of play. Tracks like “LIVE RIGHT” hit anthemic highs, while older favourites sparked instant singalongs. Fans screamed every word, started spontaneous mosh pits, and made good on another JVB commandment: “bring a friend, make a friend.” By the end, nobody left clean, just covered in sweat and the sense that they’d been part of something communal.
For a duo still rising in the hip-hop world, Joey Valence & Brae already know how to command a room. Their live show is part rap battle, part house party, stitched together with humour and heart.
Check out our favourite photos of the night below or head to our Facebook page for the full gallery!
Upcoming Tour Dates:
Sept 26 – Seattle, WA – The Showbox
Sept 29 – San Francisco, CA – The Regency Ballroom
Sept 30 – Santa Ana, CA – Observatory OC
Oct 2 – Denver, CO – Cervantes’ Masterpiece Ballroom
Oct 6 – Houston, TX – House of Blues Houston
Oct 8 – Fort Worth, TX – Tannahill’s Tavern & Music Hall
Oct 9 – Austin, TX – Empire Garage
Oct 15 – Minneapolis, MN – First Avenue
Oct 17 – Milwaukee, WI – The Rave / Eagles Club
Oct 18 – Columbus, OH – Newport Music Hall
Oct 19 – Detroit, MI – Majestic Theatre
Oct 21 – Toronto, ON – Danforth Music Hall
Oct 23 – Philadelphia, PA – Theatre of Living Arts
Oct 24 – New York, NY – Irving Plaza
Oct 25 – Allentown, PA – Archer Music Hall
Oct 30 – Leeds, UK – O2 Academy
Oct 31 – Bristol, UK – Bristol Electric
Nov 1 – Birmingham, UK – O2 Institute
Nov 3 – Manchester, UK – New Century Hall
Nov 4 – London, UK – O2 Shepherd’s Bush Empire
Nov 6 – Newcastle, UK – Newcastle University Student Union
w/ support from AG Club on all dates
More info on their website www.jvbsucks.com.
JOEY VALENCE & BRAE
All Photo Credit: Caroline Charruyer
Concerts Photos
Buffalo Traffic Jam at the Danforth Music Hall in Toronto
There is something magical about voices matching the season. The excitement of walking up to the Danforth Music Hall on the perfect autumn night, only to be engulfed in raw, emotive rasp.
Lydia Maes really pulled me in. There’s such an emotional quality to her voice. The way she incorporates the saxophone and the way she hypnotizes the crowd. She played a beautiful set and then later came out with her fiddle, to join Buffalo Traffic Jam.
Colin Lynch completely caught me off guard, with a voice that sounds like he sells out stadiums. He’s young, but that soulful, raspy, depth speaks to every age.
Then came the one and only Buffalo Traffic Jam. Gritty, earthy harmonies took over the Danforth and the crowd was electrified. There’s something about their sound that feels both stripped down and warm at the same time, and the moment they started, we were all at their mercy.
Check out our favourite photos of the night below or head to our Facebook page for the full gallery!
BUFFALO TRAFFIC JAM
COLIN LYNCH
LYDIA MAES
All Photo Credit: Bailey Morgan
Concerts Photos
Sabaton Bring Fire and Fury to Vancouver on North American Tour Finale
After many many years away from Vancouver, Sabaton returned to the PNE Forum on October 8 for a fiery night of heavy metal, military-themed theatrics and massive sing-alongs. The Swedish metal band chose the city to close out its North American tour, and it went out with a bang.
Opening the night was Pop Evil, whose modern hard rock offered a different sound from the headliner’s power metal. Tracks like “Trenches” brought plenty of energy, giving the crowd a reason to get moving before the main event. Their heavier riffs and commanding stage presence made for a solid start to the evening despite the low lighting.
Sabaton wasted little time making its return count. Kicking off with “Ghost Division,” the band delivered a wall of sound backed by pounding drums, sharp guitar riffs and bursts of fire that lit up the Forum. The stage, complete with military-inspired hardware, gave the performance the feel of a full-scale production rather than a standard metal concert.
Frontman Joakim Brodén led the charge with his unmistakable voice and natural sense of showmanship. Songs like “The Last Stand,” “Stormtroopers” and “Night Witches” showcased the band’s knack for turning historical stories into anthems built for thousands of voices. The crowd happily did its part, singing along throughout the night.
The spectacle never distracted from the music. Flames punctuated the band’s heaviest moments, adding extra intensity to “Bismarck,” “Fields of Verdun” and “The Attack of the Dead Men.” For the latter, the band leaned into the song’s subject matter with gas masks, adding another theatrical touch to an already explosive set.
The closing stretch was pure Sabaton. “Swedish Pagans” brought another huge audience sing-along before “Primo Victoria” and “To Hell and Back” sent the Forum into the night at full volume.
After seven years, Sabaton gave Vancouver plenty of reasons to welcome them back. Closing the North American tour with a performance this tight, loud and entertaining was a fitting end to the run. With commanding vocals, memorable choruses and enough pyro to warm the entire Forum, the band left little doubt that its next visit cannot come soon enough.
Check out our favourite photos of the night below or head to our Facebook page for the full gallery!
SABATON
POP EVIL
All Photo Credit: Caroline Charruyer