Concerts Photos
The Tallest Man On Earth at the Commodore Ballroom in Vancouver
Kristian Matsson, better known as The Tallest Man on Earth, brought a wild kind of magic to the Commodore Ballroom in Vancouver on October 22. Alone on stage but somehow filling every inch of it, the Swedish folk singer turned what could’ve been a quiet night into a two-hour whirlwind of humour and heart.
Matsson came out swinging, violin in hand, bounding across the stage with the restless energy of someone allergic to stillness. “I’m a yapper,” he joked right at the start of the set, setting the expectations for the night. There’s something hypnotic about watching Matsson work. His guitar playing is all furious strumming and fingerpicking precision, his voice bending between rough-edged and tender.
His music pulls from the deep well of American folk tradition, even though his roots are planted in rural Sweden. Matsson has long cited Bob Dylan as his biggest influence, and it shows. You can hear traces of Dylan’s phrasing and storytelling in his delivery, mixed with the melodic warmth of Scandinavian folk. The result is something uniquely his: poetic, playful, raw.
He closed the night with a gentle one-two punch of “King of Spain” and a cover of “Tomorrow Is A long Time.”
Check out our favourite photos of the night below or head to our Facebook page for the full gallery!
Upcoming Tour Dates:
October 23 – Portland, Ore. – Revolution Hall
October 24 – Seattle, Wash. – Moore Theatre
October 25 – Kalispell, Mont. – Wachholz College Center
October 26 – Bozeman, Mont. – The ELM
October 28 – Denver, Colo. – Ogden Theatre
More information on his website.
THE TALLEST MAN ON EARTH
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