Concerts Photos
LIVE REVIEW: Qveen Herby Brings Her ‘Isle of Qveen’ Tour to the Vogue Theatre in Vancouver
The Vogue Theatre, Vancouver | May 28, 2026
THOT Squad
Opening for Qveen Herby was rapper and songwriter THOT Squad (also known as Blvck Bunnie) who is best known for their 2023 viral hit “Pound Cake” which recently featured in the hit video game “Dispatch.” It’s great, THOT is great, we were late to the party, and we blame everyone we have ever talked to. Why didn’t anyone tell us?
The best way to describe a THOT Squad show (if it can be described) is that Harvey is 50% rapper, 50% singer, and somehow checks math also an additional 64% personality. They’re a lot! Wigs, tops, boots, there’s a lot going on (and in another gut punch to reasonable math) somehow even more coming off. Does removing multiple layers count as costume changes? We’ve no idea!
While leaning up against the edge of what’s appropriate for some of the younger people in the audience (was this an all-ages show?) the crowd was certainly down to sing along with THOT Squad, although one song did consist of a single word (c*nt) repeated for several minutes over and over. Their songs are dripping with emotion and heartfelt content, clearly written during points of their life where scream singing about an ex-partner or punching the stage was the best form of relief available.
Their props were excellent (we don’t understand how her shape light wands worked) and it’s great anytime an artist gets into the crowd with their fans. Entertaining doesn’t begin to describe the set, we just know they need to be booked at every festival this summer because their energy is a perfect match. What a fun opener, and a great way to settle in for a night at The Vogue.
Qveen Herby
The star of the show and the artist everyone stood in line to see (the sold-out show was absolutely PACKED to capacity before THOT Squad even took the stage, not something you see at every show these days) was rapper, singer, songwriter and, as far as I can tell, burlesque sensation Qveen Herby. Making her first ever tour stop in Vancouver at the always amazing Vogue Theatre, Qveen Herby brought her enthusiastic, over-the-top show to fans that have been waiting an ETERNITY to see her perform live.
Starting behind a screen for a song’s worth of shadow dancing, Qveen Herby bounced through “Sensational” before boarding her cruise ship for a quick ride and another song. We’ve seen artists that take their visuals extremely seriously, and Qveen does that. We’ve also seen artists who have a budget for set design and props, and you can tell Qveen’s people have put in both time and effort. What sets her show apart is the tone; more than anything else, Qveen Herby wants her show to be joyful. Colorful costumes, playful backdrops, everything has a little bit of whimsy. There is a volcano! Sailors to assist her! Nothing is dull, or lazy, or overcomplicated.
Must Hear Songs by Qveen Herby (In Our Humble Opinion):
- “The Fool” ft/ THOT Squad (Isle of Qveen, 2026)
- Overnight ft/ Richard Carter (Single, 2026)
- Happy Healed Hoe (Single, 2026)
Vocally, Qveen Herby is a masterpiece. She can rap – proper, speedy rap – and it has defined the later half of her career. But then, after a quick costume change, she is lounging on an inflatable clamshell and singing songs from The Little Mermaid. And it works! It wasn’t until some light researching that I discovered she was part of Karmin, who’s hit single “Brokenhearted” topped some American charts over 10 years ago. I swear to God I thought that song featured Kesha! Qveen Herby is an incredible talent and a joy to watch perform live.
Our Qveen Herby joked that she had never played Vancouver before and seemed genuinely taken aback at the warm reception, getting emotional several times during her lengthy setlist. We hope she enjoyed her night at least as much as we did, and we can’t wait for another chance to see her. Come back soon!
Qveen Herby Setlist:
- Intro
- Sensational
- Self Aware
- My SZN
- Vitamins
- Pure Imagination
- The Fool
- Magic
- Hacky Sack
- Thank Goddess
- Taboo
- Little Mermaid
- Preroll
- Beautiful
- F Myself
- Brokenhearted
- Mission
- Sugar Daddy
- Rabbit Hole
- Aura Poppins
- Housewife
- Abracadabra
- Medicine Woman
- High Priestess
- 5D
- Lucky
- Busta Rhymes
- Sade in the 90s
- Overnight
- Marie Antoinette
- Mint
Check out our favourite photos of the night below or head to our Facebook page for the full gallery. Thanks for attending the show with us, and for checking out our review!
QVEEN HERBY
THOT SQUAD
All Photo Credit: Jason Martin
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