Concerts Photos
Minus The Bear at the Belasco in Los Angeles
Minus The Bear stopped at the Belasco in Los Angeles for 2 nights of their 20th anniversary Menos el oso tour. This was their first tour since 2018, and to say the band played like it never stopped is short sighting how amazing they are live.
Opening the show on Night 2 was Disheveled Cuss, a softer side project from guitarist / vocalist Nick Reinhart. The band was what one might just called Americana, blending hard rock, alternative, and shoegazy elements to create this lush landscape of power, precision, and catchiness. Definitely the kind of band, while built for bigger stages like the Belasco, would have no issues melting faces, albeit a gentle melt, in smaller, more intimate venues.
Minus The Bear stepped onto the stage, their first time in Los Angeles in quite awhile, and got right to business, playing the entirety of their 2005 studio album Menos El Oso, in it’s entirety. Opening with “The Game Needed Me.” The band moves sonically between lush, staccato melodies, and light and airy guitars, where nothing feels forced, even though live, they are an unreal force. Moving through and into “Memphis & 53rd,” the band’s guitarist / vocalist Jake Snider lush voice with light raspy tones live, showcased what this band and it’s fanbase have known all these years: A band that should not be slept on, especially after 20 years. The band rocked into a slightly heavier version of “Drilling,” keeping the integrity of the sound, with slightly chunkier guitars to add depth and punch live.
Minus The Bear is in the middle of their Menos El Oso tour. Make sure to catch the band playing this landmark album in its entirety, near you.
Check out our favourite photos of the night below or head to our Facebook page for the full gallery!
MINUS THE BEAR
DISHEVELD CUSS
All Photo Credit: John McCrary
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