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
Concerts Photos
Peaches Brings Performance Art and Pure Chaos to Vancouver
Despite Peaches, aka Merrill Nisker, being such an iconic figure of my millennial youth, I had somehow never seen her live. After finally catching her at the Commodore Ballroom on September 4, I’m still wondering what took me so long.
Part concert, part performance art and completely unapologetic, Peaches delivered one of the wildest shows I’ve experienced. The night started strong with Pixel Grip, one of the best opening acts I’ve seen in years. By the time Dolly Parton’s “9 to 5” came over the speakers before Peaches took the stage, the Commodore was buzzing.
Peaches opened with “Hanging Titties” dressed in an absurd, head-to-toe costume covered in dangling phallic imagery, setting the tone immediately. From there came a parade of outrageous costumes, surreal visuals and choreography that seemed purpose-built to make anyone uncomfortable. There were hairy body parts, fetish-inspired outfits and enough costume changes to give an entire season of RuPaul’s Drag Race a run for its money.
Yet beneath the shock value, there was a clear point. At 59, Peaches continues to challenge expectations around gender, sexuality, beauty and aging. Her show is deliberately confrontational, but it’s just as playful.
The biggest moment came when Peaches stepped into the crowd and was carried across the Commodore, performing as fans passed her overhead.
The encore brought the legendary “Fuck the Pain Away,” followed by “No Lube So Rude,” closing out a night that was equal parts hilarious, chaotic and completely unforgettable.
Check out our favourite photos of the night below or head to our Facebook page for the full gallery!
PEACHES
All Photo Credit: Caroline Charruyer
Concerts Photos
Wave To Earth Bring ‘the pieces tour’ to Vancouver
By the time Wave to Earth took the stage at Doug Mitchell Thunderbird Arena on September 4, Vancouver was already buzzing. A lineup stretched around the block as fans waited to see the South Korean indie-rock trio kick off the first date of their the pieces tour in the city.
The band’s stage setup immediately set the tone, arranged to look like a cozy living room, complete with windows that opened onto a constantly changing view of the world outside. The clever screens showed footage filmed just outside the arena, creating the illusion that the stage was looking out onto the neighbourhood. Periodically, TransLink buses could be seen passing by, an unexpectedly Vancouver specific detail that made the arena feel intimate.
That sense of intimacy carried into the band’s entrance, with lead singer Daniel Kim stepping onto the stage wearing a UBC Arts cap, a small but memorable nod to the city and its university community.
From the opening notes, Wave to Earth leaned into the warm, laid-back atmosphere that has made their music resonate with fans around the world. The contrast between the arena’s size and the deliberately homey stage design made the show feel like being invited into the band’s living room.
As the opening night of the pieces tour, the Vancouver show set the tone for what promises to be a visually thoughtful and atmospheric run of dates.
Check out our favourite photos of the night below or head to our Facebook page for the full gallery!
WAVE TO EARTH
All Photo Credit: Kelli Rothwell