Concerts Photos
Rex Orange County at the Queen Elizabeth Theatre in Vancouver
On November 25, rising UK indie-pop star Rex Orange County brought his Finally: A Theatre Tour for the first of two sold-out nights at the Queen Elizabeth theatre in Vancouver, BC.
Rex Orange County, aka Alexander O’Connor, delivered an unforgettable performance, bringing his latest album, The Alexander Technique, to life with a mix of theatrical storytelling, heartfelt melodies, and fan-favourite hits.
The show kicked off with “Alexander,” a reflective opener that saw Rex on stage alongside an actor playing a doctor. With the curtains drawn, the intimate staging set the tone for the evening, pulling the audience into the personal narrative of his newest album. Moments later, Rex amped up the energy, stepping off the stage to interact with fans while performing “Therapy.” Watching the crowd light up as he strolled through the aisles was a highlight, even for those in the upper seats.
The concert was a journey through seasons, with stunning visuals transitioning from a serene Japanese garden in spring to a warm, autumnal glow. Rex’s band—Jim Reed, Hugo Piper, Michael Underwood, and Joe Arksey—was phenomenal, especially during “Guitar Song,” where the saxophone added an extra layer of magic.
A standout moment came when Rex asked everyone to put away their phones and simply be present.
Rex closed the night with “Pluto Projector,” pouring his heart into the song. It was a beautifully raw, emotional end to an evening that felt as personal as it was powerful.
Check out our favourite photos of the night or head to our Facebook page for the full gallery!
All Photo Credit: Caroline Charruyer
Concerts Photos
The Rasmus Bring Three Decades of Rock to Vancouver
After more than three decades together, The Rasmus finally got their first North American headlining tour. At Vancouver’s Rickshaw Theatre on October 4, the Finnish rockers made the wait feel worth it.
The night opened with Death Valley Dreams and Saint Agnes, both setting the stage for a show that leaned into the darker, theatrical side of rock. By the time The Rasmus walked out, the Rickshaw was packed and ready.
The band wasted little time getting to work. “Break These Chains” kicked things off with a jolt, quickly followed by a set that moved between the heavier edge of their latest album, Weirdo, and the songs that built their international following. It showed just how well the newer material translates live, bringing a heavier punch without losing the emotional side of the band.
Then came the familiar territory. “Guilty” sent longtime fans straight back to Dead Letters, while “Livin’ in a World Without You” turned the room into a giant singalong. When “In the Shadows” arrived, there was little left for the band to do but let the crowd take over.
Frontman Lauri Ylönen was at the centre of it all, moving across the stage with a loose confidence that made the intimate room feel even smaller. Guitarist Emilia “Emppu” Suhonen brought plenty of bite, Eero Heinonen anchored the songs with his bass, and Aki Hakala kept the whole thing driving from behind the kit.
The Rasmus have spent decades writing songs about feeling different and finding comfort in that difference. At the Rickshaw, those themes felt surprisingly current. Old fans and newer listeners stood side by side, singing the same words.
For a band finally getting its North American headline moment, The Rasmus looked less like they were catching up and more like they were exactly where they belonged.
Check out our favourite photos of the night below or head to our Facebook page for the full gallery!
THE RASMUS
SAINT AGNES
DEATH VALLEY DREAMS
All Photo Credit: Caroline Charruyer
Concerts Photos
Emei Brings the Drama to Vancouver on Her Birthday on the ‘Night at the Opera’ Tour
Theatre was always going to be part of Emei’s world. The Chinese-American pop singer has described herself as a lifelong “theater kid,” and at the Vogue Theatre on October 3, that side of her was impossible to miss. Her Night At The Opera tour lived up to its name, turning the Vancouver stop into a colourful, theatrical production that happened to fall on Emei’s birthday.
The night opened with Madelline, whose theatrical pop was an easy match for the evening. She grabbed the room quickly with strong showmanship, upbeat songs and sticky melodies, wrapped in a playful cabaret aesthetic. The audience clearly understood the assignment too, with plenty of fans showing up dressed for the occasion.
Once Emei took the stage, the show unfolded in acts, complete with dancers and enough visual drama to keep the audience guessing. Songs from Night At The Opera sat comfortably alongside older favourites, including “Late to the Party,” “Scatterbrain” and “Love Me Not.”
The birthday theme became part of the show itself. After “Irresponsible,” fans raised handmade banners for Emei, turning the room into a giant birthday card.
Then came the kind of concert moment no production meeting can plan for. During “Late to the Party,” technical problems brought the performance to a stop. Rather than let the silence take over, Emei turned the delay into roughly ten minutes of completely unplanned entertainment. She answered questions from the crowd, talked about her current Lady Gaga obsession and her appreciation for getting some sleep on the tour bus, accepted a crocheted duck from a fan and posed for a group photo with the audience. Of course, the crowd sang “Happy Birthday” too. Once the technical issue was sorted, Emei simply restarted the song and carried on.
Later, during “You Are Bad,” Emei and her two musicians froze onstage as her dancers used the moment to surprise her with a birthday sash. Party hats followed for the guitarist and drummer, prompting another round of “Happy Birthday” from the crowd. An interlude featuring Emei briefly hitting the drums kept the theatrical momentum moving.
The whole thing could have felt chaotic. Instead, it felt personal. I last saw Emei at All Things Go in Toronto in 2025, and I was really excited to her on her own headlining tour. Her command of the stage and her ability to pull a crowd into her world have grown since then. She has the songs, the theatrical instincts and the live confidence to back them up.
If this is only Act 1, I’m very looking forward to see what Emei does next.
Check out our favourite photos of the night below or head to our Facebook page for the full gallery!
EMEI
MADELLINE
All Photo Credit: Caroline Charruyer