Concerts Photos
Ryan Castro at the Vogue Theatre in Vancouver
Ryan Castro launched his 2025 Sendé World Tour in Vancouver on August 7, packing the Vogue Theatre to capacity and delivering a show that felt far bigger than the room itself. The stage was decked out with air cannons, sharp bursts of lasers, and a giant inflatable sneaker dangling overhead, production levels rarely seen at the storied venue.
The night opened with DJ Tony Escobar, who wasted no time flipping the switch from anticipation to full-on party mode. His reggaeton-heavy set had the crowd in motion well before Castro hit the stage, and when the Colombian star finally emerged, the energy went even higher.
Castro earned the nickname “El Cantante del Ghetto” with his 2023 debut, but his ambitions are now global. The Sendé tour, his largest headlining trek yet, will take him to 27 cities across multiple continents, with Latin American and Caribbean dates still to come. The run follows the release of Sendé, his second album this May. The record’s Caribbean flavor reflects his time in Curaçao, where he soaked up danzón and kizomba rhythms and fused them into his reggaeton roots.
Live, those sounds hit even harder. Castro’s set pulsed with tropical warmth, the crowd sang nearly every hook, and his stage presence was effortless, honed from years touring with artists like Blessd and opening for Karol G. In Vancouver, though, the spotlight was squarely his and he proved he knows exactly how to keep it.
Upcoming Tour Dates:
Aug. 10 – Montreal, Canada
Aug. 29 – Willemstad, Curaçao
Oct. 10 – Los Angeles, CA
Oct. 14 – Cologne, Germany
Oct. 15 – Berlin, Germany
Oct. 18 – Malaga, Spain
Oct. 19 – Barcelona, Spain
Oct. 21 – Milan, Italy
Oct. 23 – Zurich, Switzerland
Oct. 24 – Rotterdam, Netherlands
Oct. 25 – Sevilla, Spain
Oct. 26 – Madrid, Spain
Nov. 2 – Chicago, IL
Nov. 5 – Houston, TX
Nov. 9 – Miami, FL
Nov. 15 – New York, NY
Check out our favourite photos of the night below or head to our Facebook page for the full gallery!
RYAN CASTRO
TONY ESCOBAR
All Photo Credit: Olivia Yu
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