Concerts Photos
Lola Young at the Commodore Ballroom in Vancouver
On October 25, English singer-songwriter Lola Young wrapped up the North American leg of her this wasn’t meant for you anyway tour at the Commodore Ballroom in Vancouver, BC.
American singer-songwriter Emeryld opened the night and shared songs from her 3 EPs. Her performance as an opener has been one of my favourites this year. She brought so much personality and energy to her show that it captivated the crowd from the start.
At 9pm, Lola Young appeared under thunderous applause. The stage of the Commodore felt just right for her style—moody lighting and a cozy setup—she made the crowd feel like they were part of something special.
Starting off with “Good books” and “Wish You Were Dead,” she got everyone’s attention immediately, her raspy voice filling the room and setting a soulful vibe. There was no over-the-top production here; it was just Lola, her band, and a lot of raw talent. She hit every emotional note, effortlessly shifting from intense ballads to upbeat tracks. Songs like “Revolve Around You” showcased her knack for relatable lyrics, and she had the crowd swaying along, feeling the heartbreak. Her performance of her hit song “Messy,” first alone with her guitar then with her full band, was a really cathartic moment for the audience.
Several times during the show, she expressed how grateful she was of the fans’ support and how sad she was the tour was ending. Overall, it was the kind of night that makes you appreciate live music—the imperfections, the passion, the connection. By the end of her set, it was clear that Lola Young had gained some new fans. Vancouver was lucky to get a closing show this memorable. I personally cannot wait to see where her career will take her; she’s got the voice, the songwriting talent, and the charisma to go far.
Check out our favourite photos of the night below or head to our Facebook page for the full gallery!
LOLA YOUNG
EMERALD
All Photo Credit: Caroline Charruyer
Concerts Photos
Wheatus Play their Debut Album in Full at The Pearl in Vancouver
On April 13, Wheatus rolled into Vancouver and made a strong case that they’ve outgrown rooms like The Pearl. The show was sold out, shoulder-to-shoulder, and honestly felt like it could’ve filled the Commodore Ballroom across the street without breaking a sweat.
Opening support from Chief State and Brain Bent set the tone early, but once Brendan B. Brown and company hit the stage, the night turned into a loose, fan-driven ride. True to form, the band leaned into spontaneity, pulling from a deep catalogue with help from the crowd, before the show even started. “Leroy,” “Truffles,” and “Wannabe Gangstar” landed fast, while “Hump’Em N’ Dump’Em” slipped in a cheeky nod to Madonna.
Covers were a big part of the night. Their take on Erasure’s “A Little Respect” turned into a full-room singalong, complete with a “My Girl” tag, and “Basket Case” by Green Day brought a jolt of energy mid-set. A Canadian highlight came with “My Music at Work,” a respectful nod to The Tragically Hip that hit especially well with the local crowd, followed later by a heartfelt “Time Stand Still” from Rush.
The deeper cuts, “Lemonade,” “Fourteen,” and “I’d Never Write a Song About You, ”showed the band’s range, balancing humour with real vulnerability. Then came “Teenage Dirtbag.” No surprise, it turned into mass karaoke, with every fan in the room locked in from the first line.
Instead of ending big, they closed small. Brown returned alone for an off-mic acoustic “Desperate Songs,” quiet enough that you could hear the room breathe. It was a simple finish that summed up the night: warm and completely in sync with the crowd.
Check out our favourite photos of the night below or head to our Facebook page for the full gallery!
WHEATUS
CHIEF STATE
All Photo Credit: Caroline Charruyer
Concerts Photos
Ruel Brings His ‘Kicking My Feet’ Tour to Los Angeles
Ruel brought his Kicking My Feet tour to a close in Los Angeles on Wednesday, April 8th at the Hollywood Palladium. The tour covered 30 cities over the past two months.
Singer-songwriter Chelsea Jordan opened up the night with a high-energy set, performing some of her own songs to warm up the crowd for the rest of the evening.
Mercer Henderson took the stage next. She sang a handful of her songs that had a folk-pop feel to them as she jumped around the stage.
A little after 9:30, the venue went dark and cheers erupted from the audience. A spotlight flicked on, pouring light through a red door raised in the center of the stage. As the cheers grew louder, Ruel made his grand entrance, emerging through the door in a cloud of smoke while singing “Only Ever,” the first track on his latest album. Kicking My Feet is Ruel’s second studio album, released two years after his debut album back in 2023.
Throughout the night, Ruel took the crowd back to the beginning days of his music, playing some fan favorites such as “Dazed & Confused,” “Younger,” and “Painkiller.” The British-born Australian singer hyped up the audience even more by playing an unreleased song from his upcoming album, Kicking My Feet & Screaming, which is a continuation and second part of Kicking My Feet. The new album is set to release in June.
Openers Chelsea Jordan and Mercer Henderson were brought back out on stage to sing a song with Ruel in a heartwarming tribute to the past eight shows they had done together. A bit later, Ruel surprised the crowd by bringing out Arthur Hill, who had previously joined Ruel as a supporting artist for the first half of the shows on this tour leg.
The night was a lively blur of laughter and dancing, a testament to Ruel’s incredible stage presence and vocals. It was the perfect closing night to the Kicking My Feet tour, no doubt leaving fans with memories that will last a lifetime.
Check out our favourite photos of the night below or head to our Facebook page for the full gallery!
RUEL
MERCER HENDERSON
CHELSEA JORDAN
All Photo Credit: Mallory Snyder