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
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