Concerts Photos
Nelly at the Canadian Tire Centre in Ottawa
On April 14, Nelly brought the heat with his Where The Party At tour to the Canadian Tire Centre in Ottawa, ON.
With special guests and DJ’s aplenty, the party never stopped. Seats were barely used as the music and dancing continued in between each performance.
Opening for Nelly, Ja Rule arrived on stage a bit unconventionally. In bed. Appearing out from the covers was a half nude Ja Rule, beginning his set with getting dressed. Donning a Run DMC cap, he then proceeded to give an outstanding performance. Up and down the stage, the New York rapper produced the swag of a seasoned entertainer.
At 9:30 the stage was transformed into a nightclub for the headlining event. Dancers entered the stage followed by eight VIP guests, lucky enough to be on stage during Nelly’s set. Then out of the curtains ran out Nelly, wasting no time keeping the party going. To begin the night, Nelly wore an Ottawa Senators hockey jersey. Brady Tkachuk, the captain of the Senators, signed the jersey “To Nelly, making STL proud!” A great gesture by Tkachuk and the Senators organization.
Nelly’s high energy performance was intoxicating for the arena, with everyone out of their seats dancing along. With hits such as “Dillema”, “Air Force Ones” & of course “Hot in Herre”, the crowd was taken back to the early 2000s and they were loving every second of it. Nelly too looked like he was having the time of his life, smiling, dancing and waving to the crowd.
If you’re wondering Where The Party At, it’s wherever Nelly goes.
Upcoming Canadian tour dates:
-April 15 Montreal, QC
-April 18 Winnipeg, MB
-April 20 Saskatoon, SK
-April 21 Edmonton, AB
-April 22 Calgary, AB
-April 24 Vancouver BC
Check out our favourite photos of the night below or head to our Facebook page for the full gallery!
NELLY
JA RULE
All Photo Credit: Kieran Delport
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