Concerts Photos
Snow Patrol at the Wiltern in Los Angeles
Finishing up a 2 day stop in Los Angeles at the historic Wiltern Theater, Snow Patrol took the stage opening with 2008’s “Take Back The City,” a rocking anthem that really got the crowd moving inside this historic venue. The band focuses on quality song writing and catchy lyrics instead of huge production to really connect with the audience directly. Most bands hide behind a wall of lighting and effects. Snow Patrol goes straight to their listening fanbase, showing off their song writing chops in what is a 30+ year musical endeavor by a few lads from the University of Dundee.
Going straight into “Chocolate,” from their 2003 album Final Straw, the band is a well polished song writers dream. Mixing ethereal pop rock with indie sensibility, but never losing a feeling that these songs were meant to be in arenas and clubs worldwide. The band took on 2011’s “Called Out In The Dark” off of the album Fallen Empires, at this point their 6th studio album. The band is currently touring behind their 2024 release The Forest Is The Path, their 9th studio album.
Opening the tour in Los Angeles was Sorcha Richardson, a singer songwriter from Dublin, Ireland. Her 3 piece band, including herself on guitars. She’s currently touring the entire world on her 2022 album Smiling Like An Idiot, a dreamy soundscape of low fi indie, folk, and pop. It’s a great primer for those looking to get into Sorcha and her song writing album. It has a polished yet indie bedroom feel.
Check out our favorite photos of the night or head to our Facebook page for the full gallery!
SNOW PATROL
SORCHA RICHARDSON
All Photo Credit: John McCrary
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