Concerts Photos
July Talk Bring ‘Touch X Tour’ to the Bronson Music Theatre in Ottawa
On March 25, July Talk brought their Touch X Tour: Celebrating the 10th Anniversary of Touch to a sold-out Bronson Music Theatre in Ottawa.
The night opened with a steady, rootsy set from Julianna Riolino. Her warm vocals and understated delivery gave the room time to settle in, easing the audience into what would soon become a far more volatile atmosphere.
When July Talk hit the stage, the tone shifted instantly. The band leaned into the 10-year legacy of Touch, performing the album front to back. It gave the set a sense of structure, but nothing about the performance felt too rigid, especially in the second half of the show. From the jump, the push-and-pull chemistry between Leah Fay and Peter Dreimanis took over, with her theatrical movements and piercing vocals colliding with his gravelly intensity.
One of the most striking elements of the night was Fay’s stage presence while visibly pregnant. It didn’t slow her down in the slightest. She moved across the stage with a mix of control and abandon, at times swaying with a softer touch, then snapping right back into the band’s usual feral energy. The contrast added a new layer to the performance without ever pulling focus from the music itself.
Tracks like “Beck + Call” and “Picturing Love” hit with the same urgency they had a decade ago, while “Push + Pull” turned the floor into a sea of movement. By the time they reached “Lola + Joseph,” the crowd was fully locked in, feeding off every gesture between the two frontpeople.
Midway through, the band slipped in newer material, including songs from Love Isn’t Dead, a previously unreleased companion record to Touch. Rather than feeling like leftovers, these tracks blended seamlessly into the set and proved they still hold up.
After closing the album portion with “Touch,” the band loosened up. “Summer Dress” sparked a loud singalong, and deeper cuts added variety without losing momentum. The encore brought things home with a punch, ending on “The Garden,” which left the room buzzing.
This Anniversary Tour showed that July Talk still thrives in the chaos they create, and the crowd is more than happy to get swept up in it.
Check out our favourite photos of the night below or head to our Facebook page for the full gallery!
Upcoming Tour Dates:
03/28 Montreal, QC – Theatre Beanfield
03/31 Toronto, ON – History
More information on the band’s website.
JULY TALK
JULIANNA RIOLINO
All Photo Credit: Kieran Delport
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