Concerts Photos
Meute at the Commodore Ballroom in Vancouver
Fresh off their Coachella Week 1 set, MEUTE brought the EMPOR Tour party north to Vancouver’s Commodore Ballroom on Wednesday night, and tore the roof off!
If you’re not familiar, MEUTE is an 11-piece techno marching band from Germany. Yes, that’s a real thing. Brass, drums, and no laptops in sight. They take club bangers—think Disclosure, Deadmau5, Laurent Garnier—and rework them with live instruments. It’s strange on paper, but in person, it’s electric.
The band came out in their signature red jackets and sneakers, instantly flipping the buttoned-up image of a marching band on its head. From the first thump of the bass drum, the crowd was locked in, heads bobbing, arms waving, people fully surrendering to the groove.
There’s no frontman; MEUTE functions like a hive mind. Horns blast melodies, drums keep a relentless 4/4 beat, and the whole group moves constantly, like a techno flash mob. For “Acamar,” they stepped off stage and right into the crowd, turning the Commodore into a rave parade.
The crowd was as mixed as the music: ravers, jazz fans, curious onlookers—all of them dancing like they’d trained for this moment. No phones out, just sweaty joy. And while some knew the source material, it didn’t matter. The energy was infectious. Every drop landed and every build-up hit.
They closed with “Mental Help,” and the room lost it. Coachella might’ve been the bigger stage, but Wednesday night in Vancouver was the real show.
Catch them in Portland (April 17), Oakland (April 19) and Coachella Week 2 (April 20) before they head back to Europe! More info on their website.
Check out our favourite photos of the night below or head to our Facebook page for the full gallery!
All Photo Credit: Caroline Charruyer
Concerts Photos
Buffalo Traffic Jam at the Danforth Music Hall in Toronto
There is something magical about voices matching the season. The excitement of walking up to the Danforth Music Hall on the perfect autumn night, only to be engulfed in raw, emotive rasp.
Lydia Maes really pulled me in. There’s such an emotional quality to her voice. The way she incorporates the saxophone and the way she hypnotizes the crowd. She played a beautiful set and then later came out with her fiddle, to join Buffalo Traffic Jam.
Colin Lynch completely caught me off guard, with a voice that sounds like he sells out stadiums. He’s young, but that soulful, raspy, depth speaks to every age.
Then came the one and only Buffalo Traffic Jam. Gritty, earthy harmonies took over the Danforth and the crowd was electrified. There’s something about their sound that feels both stripped down and warm at the same time, and the moment they started, we were all at their mercy.
Check out our favourite photos of the night below or head to our Facebook page for the full gallery!
BUFFALO TRAFFIC JAM
COLIN LYNCH
LYDIA MAES
All Photo Credit: Bailey Morgan
Concerts Photos
Sabaton Bring Fire and Fury to Vancouver on North American Tour Finale
After many many years away from Vancouver, Sabaton returned to the PNE Forum on October 8 for a fiery night of heavy metal, military-themed theatrics and massive sing-alongs. The Swedish metal band chose the city to close out its North American tour, and it went out with a bang.
Opening the night was Pop Evil, whose modern hard rock offered a different sound from the headliner’s power metal. Tracks like “Trenches” brought plenty of energy, giving the crowd a reason to get moving before the main event. Their heavier riffs and commanding stage presence made for a solid start to the evening despite the low lighting.
Sabaton wasted little time making its return count. Kicking off with “Ghost Division,” the band delivered a wall of sound backed by pounding drums, sharp guitar riffs and bursts of fire that lit up the Forum. The stage, complete with military-inspired hardware, gave the performance the feel of a full-scale production rather than a standard metal concert.
Frontman Joakim Brodén led the charge with his unmistakable voice and natural sense of showmanship. Songs like “The Last Stand,” “Stormtroopers” and “Night Witches” showcased the band’s knack for turning historical stories into anthems built for thousands of voices. The crowd happily did its part, singing along throughout the night.
The spectacle never distracted from the music. Flames punctuated the band’s heaviest moments, adding extra intensity to “Bismarck,” “Fields of Verdun” and “The Attack of the Dead Men.” For the latter, the band leaned into the song’s subject matter with gas masks, adding another theatrical touch to an already explosive set.
The closing stretch was pure Sabaton. “Swedish Pagans” brought another huge audience sing-along before “Primo Victoria” and “To Hell and Back” sent the Forum into the night at full volume.
After seven years, Sabaton gave Vancouver plenty of reasons to welcome them back. Closing the North American tour with a performance this tight, loud and entertaining was a fitting end to the run. With commanding vocals, memorable choruses and enough pyro to warm the entire Forum, the band left little doubt that its next visit cannot come soon enough.
Check out our favourite photos of the night below or head to our Facebook page for the full gallery!
SABATON
POP EVIL
All Photo Credit: Caroline Charruyer