Concerts Photos
Pixies at the Orpheum Theatre in Vancouver
On June 26, Pixies kicked off their two-night stand at Vancouver’s Orpheum Theatre with a full run-through of Bossanova and Trompe Le Monde, giving longtime fans a dense, gloriously weird trip through their early ‘90s catalog with 30+ tracks of unrelenting, cosmic noise.
Kurt Vile & the Violators opened with a loose, hazy set that somehow made perfect sense. Vile’s drawl and winding guitar lines felt like a psychedelic preamble to the chaos that would follow. “Wakin’ on a Pretty Day” turned into a 10-minute trance, and the crowd, already heavy with nostalgia, swayed in sync.
Then came Pixies. Bossanova opened as it should with “Cecilia Ann” washing over the room in all its surf-rock glory. Black Francis barked and wailed through “Rock Music” and “Velouria,” while Joey Santiago shredded with surgical precision. Emma Richardson (of Band of Skulls), now on bass, slotted right in with her backing vocals adding layers to tracks like “The Happening” and “Down to the Well.”
After a short breather, they dove into Trompe Le Monde. If Bossanova felt dreamy, this was pure adrenaline. “Planet of Sound” shook the venue. “U-Mass” was brilliant. By the time they hit “The Navajo Know,” the Orpheum was fully converted.
They ended the show with a 4-song encore, and judging by the cheers from fans young and old, it hit the mark.
Night two will be the “Classic Pixies” set, so expect Doolittle bangers, newer tracks from The Night the Zombies Came, and probably that one song you’re thinking of.
Check out our favourite photos of the night below or head to our Facebook page for the full gallery!
Upcoming Pixies Tour dates:
JULY 2025
8-9 MTELUS, Montreal, QC
12 Ottawa Bluesfest, Ottawa, ONT
15-16 Brooklyn Paramount, Brooklyn, NY
18-19 MGM Music Hall at Fenway, Boston, MA
22-23 The Fillmore, Philadelphia, PA
25-26 The Anthem, Washington, DC
28-29 The Fillmore, Detroit, MI
31 Palace Theatre, St. Paul, MN
AUGUST 2025
1 Palace Theatre, St. Paul, MN
22 Rogers Centre, Toronto, ON (with My Chemical Romance)
27 Gallagher Square, San Diego, CA
28 The Greek Theatre, Berkeley, CA
30 McMenamins Edgefield, Troutdale, OR
31 Kettlehouse Amphitheater, Bonner, MT
SEPTEMBER 2025
2 Red Rocks Amphitheatre, Morrison, CO
4 Zoo Amphitheatre, Oklahoma City, OK
5 ACL Live at the Moody Theater, Austin, TX
6 White Oak Music Hall, Houston, TX
8 Avondale Brewing Company, Birmingham, AL
9 Red Hat Amphitheater, Raleigh, NC
10 Asheville Yards Amphitheater, Asheville, NC
12 Stage AE, Pittsburgh, PA
13 Bourbon & Beyond Festival, Louisville, KY
15 The Salt Shed – Fairgrounds, Chicago, IL
17 The Pinnacle, Nashville, TN
19 Shaky Knees Festival, Atlanta, GA
More info on their website.
PIXIES
KURT VILE
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