Concerts Photos
The Bouncing Souls at the Commodore Ballroom in Vancouver
The Bouncing Souls wrapped their EAST COAST! FUCK YOU! tour with a sweaty blowout at Vancouver’s Commodore Ballroom. It was the kind of night that reminded you why punk shows are best experienced shoulder-to-shoulder with strangers, dodging limbs and shouting every lyric until your voice gives out.
The stacked openers (The Jack Knives, Broadway Calls, and punk veterans The Adolescents) set a strong pace and warmed up the mosh pit. By the time The Bouncing Souls hit the stage, the crowd was fully primed. Naturally, they kicked off with “Hopeless Romantic” then “ECFU,” the tour’s unofficial anthem, before tearing through a setlist that pulled at least one track from every album in their catalog.
Frontman Greg Attonito’s voice still carries that perfect mix of grit and melody, and he didn’t let up once. Pete Steinkopf’s guitar work was sharp and punchy, locked in perfectly with Bryan Kienlen’s thudding bass. Drummer George Rebelo’ timing, power, and control gave the whole set its heartbeat. By the time “Lean on Sheena,” “United,” and “True Believers” rolled out, the entire room was one big chorus. As Attonito said at the beginning of the set, “It’s the last night of the tour so we’re gonna fucking give everything!”
No encore was needed. The floor was soaked, ears were ringing, and hearts were full. A perfect end to the tour.
Check out our favourite photos of the night or head to our Facebook page for the full gallery!
THE BOUNCING SOULS
THE ADOLESCENTS
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