Concerts Photos
The Scratch Bring ‘Pull Like A Dog’ World Tour to the Commodore Ballroom in Vancouver
Irish folk-metal chaos took over the Commodore Ballroom on May 22 as The Scratch delivered one of the loudest and most relentlessly energetic sets the venue has seen this year.
Fresh off the release of their third album, Pull Like A Dog, the Dublin four-piece arrived in Vancouver with the kind of reputation that makes people show up early and brace themselves for impact. Within seconds of opener “Pullin’ Teeth,” the floor split open into a swirling pit that barely stopped moving for the next hour and a half. The band’s mix of heavy riffs, acoustic guitars, trad Irish melodies, and raw punk intensity totally worked live.
Frontman and percussionist Daniel Lang spent most of the night perched on his battered cajón at centre stage, hammering away while barking vocals back at the crowd. Around him, guitarists Conor Dockery and Gary Regan and bassist Cathal McKenna pushed the room into full pub-session-meets-hardcore-show territory.
Tracks like “Pull Like A Dog,” “Cheeky Bastard,” and “Another Round” were highlights, turning the Commodore into a wall of jumping bodies. Yet the night wasn’t all chaos. A quieter run through Christy Moore’s “Joxer Goes to Stuttgart” and Dominic Behan’s “McAlpine’s Fusiliers” highlighted the band’s deep connection to Irish folk storytelling, giving the set some emotional weight beneath all the sweat and noise.
By the encore, which included a ripping cover of Motörhead’s “Ace of Spades,” the room looked completely spent. The Scratch created the feeling that the entire room was in on something together, somewhere between a punk show and a pub singalong.
Check out our favourite photos of the night below or head to our Facebook page for the full gallery!
THE SCRATCH
All Photo Credit: Caroline Charruyer
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