Concerts Photos
Joy Oladokun at Commodore Ballroom in Vancouver
On March 6, American singer-songwriter Joy Oladokun brought her deeply personal and emotional Blackbird Tour to the Commodore Ballroom in Vancouver, delivering a night that felt equal parts intimate and triumphant.
Opening the evening was Luke Tyler Shelton, whose warm stage presence and heartfelt songwriting set the tone for the night. With a voice that carried a quiet strength, Shelton’s performance resonated with the crowd, offering a perfect lead-in to the main event as he shard songs form his latest album Hell of A Ride.
Taking the stage to an enthusiastic welcome, Oladokun kicked off her set with “Am I?” from her latest album, Observations from a Crowded Room. The track’s ‘90s alt-rock energy and raw lyrics immediately pulled the audience into her orbit. Oladokun’s ability to balance vulnerability with humour was on full display throughout the night.
She shared a story about her bandmates getting denied entry into Canada. Despite the setback, she played with a temporary bassist and keyboardist, both of whom fit effortlessly into her sound. She also joked about a team member reminding her to finish her weed before crossing the border to Canada, earning big laughs from the audience.
The setlist was a well-curated mix of old favourites and newer material. “Taking Things for Granted” had the crowd cheering from the first chord, while “We’re All Gonna Die” turned existential dread into a sing-along moment of catharsis. Halfway through her set, she launching into an acoustic set that ended with The Beatles’ “Blackbird.” The emotional peak of the night came with “Flowers”. The room fell into a reverent hush, hanging on every word.
Her show left everyone a little lighter, a little more understood. If you haven’t seen Joy Oladokun live yet, do yourself a favour—her music hits different in a packed room full of love. More tour info on her website.
Check out our favourites photos of the night or head to our Facebook page for the full gallery!
JOY OLADOKUN
LUKE TYLER SHELTON
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