Concerts Photos
New Found Glory at the Wiltern in Los Angeles – Gallery
The year is 2004. Myspace is going absolutely strong, but a newcomer to the game in Facebook has just launched. The Mars Rover has landed and is sending back images of a distant world. Janet Jackson is a key topic as nipplegate sweeps the country. And in May, New Found Glory drops their latest album, Catalyst. Released on Drive Thru / Geffen Records, bands have been a bit nostalgic for playing well received and loved releases, and the NFG crew is no different. Just days away from their Sticks & Stones set at When We Were Young Fest in Las Vegas, the band stopped in for the night at the Wiltern in Los Angeles, playing Catalyst from opening to close.
The band kicked their set off with the “Intro,” because that’s what you do. You get the energy and the mosh pit moving, with singer Jordan Pundik screaming “Don’t believe a word, a word they say”, a song undeniably about the feeling of the scene at that moment in time. The band had a small change of line-up, as Dan O’Conner of Four Year Strong was shredding both guitar and backing vocals for this tour. The band went into crowd favorite “All Downhill From Here,” followed up by “This Disaster” and “Truth Of My Youth.”
The band, which formed in Coral Springs, FL back in 1997 is an absolutely solid musical unit all these years later. Closing in on almost 28 years as a band, the band doesn’t appear to be slowing down, nor showing a lack of enthusiasm. The band is essentially a godfather of the pop punk scene, by bringing in a bit of hardcore and punk into their music, keeping it light, fun, and listener friendly, while never sacrificing their melodic styled pop punk rock.
Kicking off the evening was a band from Chicago, IL called Sincere Engineer. The band showcased an uptempo low fi indie sound with raspy vocals, and helped jumpstart the evening for everyone in attendance. Sometimes you need a little mellow before you get punched in the gut. But maybe that’s just me.
Check out our favorite photos of the night or head to our Facebook page for the full gallery!
NEW FOUND GLORY
SINCERE ENGINEER
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