Concerts Photos
Set It Off at the Commodore Ballroom in Vancouver
On November 11, American rock band Set It Off brought their tour to the Commodore Ballroom in Vancouver, BC in support of their Self-Titled album.
After three high-octane openers (Autumn Kings, Vana, and Fame on Fire) you’d think the crowd might’ve been running out of gas. Not a chance. The room buzzed with anticipation as a voice over the speakers counted down from 30 seconds. Then, in a flash of lights and smoke, Set It Off stormed the stage and kicked into “Rotten.”
Frontman Cody Carson wasted no time commanding the audience like a ringmaster in his own twisted carnival. Between leaping across the stage, pumping his fist in time with the crowd, and somehow still hitting every note, Carson’s energy was relentless. Guitarist Zach DeWall’s bright riffs gave the band’s darker material a pop-rock shimmer, while drummer Maxx Danzinger, framed by an elaborate light display, played with wild precision that made it impossible to look away.
Early in the set, Vana’s Romy Flores joined Carson for a fiery duet on “Partners in Crime,” making the fan-favourite track feel fresh and unpredictable. Later, Danzinger swapped places with Carson to take over vocals on “I’ll Sleep When I’m Dead,” a chaotic and charming highlight.
By the time the encore rolled around, the crowd still had plenty left to give and “Wolf in Sheep’s Clothing [REBORN]” closed the night with explosive energy.
Check out our favourite photos of the night below or head to our Facebook page for the full gallery!
Upcoming Tour Dates:
Nov 12 – Seattle @ Showbox SoDO
Nov 14 – Sacramento, CA @ Ace of Spades
Nov 16 – Los Angeles @ The Regent Theater
Nov 17 – Santa Ana, CA @ Observatory OC
Nov 18 – Tempe, AZ @ Marquee Theatre
Nov 20 – Houston @ House Of Blues
Nov 21 – Dallas @ South Side Music Hall
Nov 23 – Orlando @ House of Blues
Nov 25 – Cincinnati, OH @ Bogart’s
Nov 26 – Detroit @ St. Andrew’s Hall
Nov 28 – Indianapolis @ Egyptian Room At Old National Centre
Nov 30 – Buffalo, NY @ Buffalo RiverWorks
Dec 1 – Toronto @ Danforth Music Hall
Dec 2 – Boston @ Paradise Rock Club
Dec 5 – New York City @ Irving Plaza
Dec 6 – Allentown, PA @ Archer Music Hall
Dec 7 – Philadelphia @ The Fillmore Philadelphia
Dec 9 – Baltimore @ Nevermore Hall
Dec 10 – Raleigh, NC @ The Ritz
More information here.
SET IT OFF
FAME ON FIRE
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