Concerts Photos
The Cat Empire at the Commodore Ballroom in Vancouver
Last night, The Cat Empire turned the Commodore Ballroom into a global block party for the first of two nights in the city. Touring behind Bird in Paradise, their newest album and second release with their refreshed lineup, the long-running Australian collective showed exactly why their reputation as a live band remains untouchable.
Bermuda Search Party opened the night with a solid, brass-heavy groove set that got the early crowd moving, but it wasn’t until The Cat Empire made their entrance, kicking off with “Blood On The Stage,” that the party truly kicked off. Frontman Felix Riebl and keyboardist Ollie McGill, the two remaining original members, led a stage full of seasoned musicians who each took turns stealing the spotlight.
The setlist jumped from old favourites like “The Chariot” ( with Bermuda Search party joining the band on stage for this track) to newer songs like “Bird In Paradise” and “Going To Live,” mixing ska, jazz, Afrobeat, and Latin rhythms into something uniquely their own. It’s hard to overstate how tight the band sounded. Every breakdown, horn solo, and tempo change hit clean.
The emotional centre of the night came with “Be With You Again,” a tribute to Riebl’s late brother Max. The room softened for a few minutes, before erupting again in joy as the band pushed into a dancey encore medley and ended with “All Night Loud.”
The Cat Empire is still evolving, and still throwing some of the best live shows you’ll ever see!
Upcoming Tour Dates:
Jun 15, 2025 – Vancouver, BC – Commodore Ballroom
Jun 17, 2025 – Seattle, WA – Neptune Theatre
Jun 18, 2025 – Boise, ID – Shrine Social Club
Jun 19, 2025 – Stanley, ID – Sawtooth Valley Gathering
Jun 20, 2025 – Salt Lake City, UT – The Commonwealth Room
Jun 21, 2025 – Bellvue, CO – The Mishawaka
Jun 23, 2025 – Des Moines, IA – Wooly’s
Jun 24, 2025 – Minneapolis, MN – Fine Line
Jun 26, 2025 – Oshkosh, WI – Leach Amphitheater (Waterfest at Riverside Park)
Jun 27, 2025 – Chicago, IL – Thalia Hall
Jun 28, 2025 – Milwaukee, WI – Summerfest
Jun 29, 2025 – Kalamazoo, MI – Bell’s Eccentric Cafe (Bell’s Beer Garden Concert Series)
Jun 30, 2025 – Toronto, ON – The Danforth Music Hall
Jul 2, 2025 – Montreal, QC – MTELUS (Montréal Jazz Festival)
Jul 4, 2025 – Calgary, AB – Calgary Stampede
Jul 5, 2025 – Quebec City, QC – Festival d’été de Québec
Jul 6, 2025 – Alma, QC – Festirame
Jul 8, 2025 – Cambridge, MA – The Sinclair
Jul 9, 2025 – New York, NY – Irving Plaza
Jul 10, 2025 – Ottawa, ON – Ottawa Bluesfest
Jul 12, 2025 – Winnipeg, MB – Winnipeg Folk Festival
More information on their website.
Check out our favourite photos of the night below or head to our Facebook page for the full gallery!
THE CAT EMPIRE
BERMUDA SEARCH PARTY
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