Concerts Photos
Macy Gray at the Commodore Ballroom in Vancouver
Macy Gray brought wit and her unmistakable rasp to a sold out Commodore Ballroom in Vancouver on July 16, as she celebrated 25 years of On How Life Is. The crowd, a mix of longtime fans and curious newcomers, showed up ready to groove.
Wearing a full-on black outfit and green shoes, she kicked things off with “The Way”, easing into the night
As the set moved into the heart of On How Life Is, Gray hit her stride. “Why Didn’t You Call Me” and “Do Something” had the crowd swaying hard, while her cover of Radiohaed’s “Creep” got everyone singing along. And yes, when “I Try” finally rolled around, everyone sang like it was 1999 again. Gray let the crowd take the first verse, then swept in with a soulful delivery.
In between songs, she joked, told meandering stories, and introduced her band. At one point, she stepped aside while her drummers tore through solos, adding some unexpected fun to the soulful evening.
The openers were Desdemona’s Dream, a Seattle band who describe themselves as boundary-breaking AI rockstar, poet, and cosmic wanderer ; and Haleluya Hailu, a Vancouver-raised singer-songwriter/producer and multi-instrumentalist, who set the tone with a dreamy set.
Upcoming Tour Dates:
Jul 18 – Spokane, WA @ BING CROSBY THEATER
Jul 19 – Boise, ID @ The Egyptian Theatre
Jul 21 – Aspen, CO @ Belly Up Aspen
Jul 22 – Denver, CO @ Paramount Theatre
Jul 23 – Fort Collins, CO @ Washington’s
Jul 25 – St Louis, MO @ The Pageant
Jul 26 – La Vista, NE @ The Astro
Jul 27 – Minneapolis, MN @ The Fillmore Minneapolis
Jul 29 – Chicago, IL @ Ramova Theatre
Jul 30 – Canton, OH @ Canton Palace Theatre
Aug 1 – Indianapolis, IN @ Egyptian Room at Old National Centre
Aug 2 – Pelham, TN @ The Caverns
Aug 3 – Cincinnati, OH @ The Ludlow Garage
Aug 4 – Louisville, KY @ Mercury Ballroom
Aug 6 – Augusta, GA @ Miller Theater
Aug 7 – Huntsville, AL @ Mars Music Hall
Aug 8 – Mobile, AL @ Saenger Theatre Mobile
Aug 9 – Houston, TX @ House of Blues Houston
Aug 10 – Austin, TX @ Paramount Theatre
Aug 12 – Albuquerque, NM @ KiMo Theatre
Aug 15 – El Cajon, CA @ The Magnolia
Aug 16 – Los Angeles, CA @ Palace Theatre
More info on her website macygraytours.com.
Check out our favourite photos of the night below or head to our Facebook page for the full gallery!
MACY GRAY
DESDEMONA’S DREAM
All Photo Credit: Caroline Charruyer
Concerts Photos
Olivia O’Brien Brings ‘The Pixie Tour’ to Pacific Electric in Los Angeles
While many people would likely agree with Garfield about hating Mondays, fans at Pacific Electric on Monday, November 2nd, probably disagreed. Eager fans of both Sophie Cates and Olivia O’Brien filled the room. Dressed in fairy wings and princess crowns, the night was guaranteed to be whimsical.
As the clock struck 8:00 pm, the lights began to dim. The crowd screamed as Sophie Cates took the stage. Singing songs from previous albums and from her upcoming album, this would be the first time that Sophie had been on stage in a couple of years. After releasing her debut album, Yikes! in 2019, Cates was later signed to RCA Records. Since then, she has released multiple EPs and her second studio album, “SUPERNOVA.” Sophie joined Olivia O’Brien on her North American tour for her new album, Pixie.
As we waited for Olivia to take the stage, some fans passed around little slips of purple paper. As each member of the crowd received a slip, a message was passed along: “When Icarus comes on, place this piece of paper in front of your camera light.” The sense of community among the fans felt surreal. To most, the purple cardstock creates a cool lighting effect, but to the fans, it creates an emotional atmosphere.
Soon after everyone received their slip of purple paper, Olivia was ready to take the stage. Dressed in her album’s theme, she wore a beautiful slip dress and her iconic pixie wings. O’Brien’s sophomore album, Pixie, is a 15-track record that explores projection and fantasy while confronting the manipulative patterns of past relationships. With questions about self-worth and identity, Olivia acknowledges her past relationship dynamics and struggles with letting go. Pixie also highlights the sense of betrayal and emotional abuse that come from toxic dynamics.
While Pixie may have been written about past relationship struggles and learning to navigate life as a girl in her mid-twenties, Olivia also drew inspiration from her childhood innocence. Stories like Percy Jackson sparked the fascination and curiosity that brought back a piece of childlike wonder.
Check out our favourite photos of the night below or head to our Facebook page for the full gallery!
OLIVIA O’BRIEN IN LOS ANGELES
SOPHIE CATES
All Photo Credit: Taylor Blazer
Concerts Photos
Jungle Bring Their World Tour to Accor Arena in Paris
Last Friday, Jungle kicked off the night in Paris to the sound of “Smile”, opening the show in front of a crowd ready to celebrate.
Their signature basslines swept through the venue, making every one of the 20,000 souls packed inside vibrate. It is hard to find the words for what makes Jungle so magical, other than the spell cast by a sound that blends electronic, reggae and hip-hop influences, one that gives you goosebumps and sets your body in motion. Simply put, it is impossible to hear their music without dancing, smiling and feeling good.
Fast tempos, intricate rhythms and heavy basslines are the usual shorthand for their sound, but live, it becomes something more. Every song carried a touch of magic that no description quite captures, turning the arena into one giant dancefloor.
These photos try to capture what words can’t, a night where Jungle turned an arena into a shared celebration, and where the music did all the talking.
Check out our favourite photos of the night below or head to our Facebook page for the full gallery!
JUNGLE IN PARIS
All Photo Credit: Jessica Camil