Concerts Photos
Rise Against Deliver a No-Frills, High-Impact Set in Vancouver
Rise Against rolled into the PNE Forum on March 28 with a clear plan: keep things loud, and keep fans on their toes. After more than two decades as a band, the Chicago punk veterans are switching things up on this tour, leaning into smaller rooms and digging deeper into their catalogue instead of relying on a greatest hits autopilot.
The night opened with Speed of Light, 3 siblings who wasted no time setting a fast pace. The set was short and punchy, and got the crowd moving early. Destroy Boys followed with more intensity. Their mix of sharp riffs and blunt, politically charged commentary hit hard. Frontwoman Alexia Roditis led the charge with a mix of chaos and purpose, turning songs like “Shadow (I’m Breaking Down)” into full-on statements.
Rise Against took the stage through smoke and noise, kicking things off with “Re-Education (Through Labor)” From there, it barely let up. “Under The Knife” and “Give It All” had the floor shaking, with the crowd yelling every word back at Tim McIlrath’s face directly from the pit like it was muscle memory. The set balanced fan favourites with newer material from Ricochet, their 2025 release that leans a bit bigger in sound but keeps the same message intact: connection matters, especially right now.
There were a few surprises tucked in, including deeper cuts that don’t always make the setlist. Not every moment was perfectly polished, but that looseness worked in their favour. It felt real. The emotional swing hit during “Hero of War” and “Swing Life Away,” giving the room a breather before ramping back up. By the time “Savior” closed things out, the entire venue was locked in.
Last night, Rise Against built a space where anger, hope, and community all made sense together, and made it loud enough that no one could ignore it.
Check out our favourite photos of the night below or head to our Facebook page for the full gallery!
Upcoming Tour Dates:
03/30 – Spokane, WA @ Knitting Factory
03/31 – Boise, ID @ Treefort Music Hall
04/03 – Reno, NV @ Grand Theatre at Grand Sierra Resort
04/04 – Wheatland, CA @ Hard Rock Live
05/10 – Daytona Beach, FL @ Welcome to Rockville
05/14 – Columbus, OH @ Sonic Temple
More information on the band’s website.
RISE AGAINST
DESTROY BOYS
SPEED OF LIGHT
All Photo Credit: Caroline Charruyer
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