Concerts Photos
The Tea Party, Headstones & Finger Eleven: Three Titans, One Night
Three Canadian rock heavyweights, Finger Eleven, Headstones, and The Tea Party, finally united for a coast-to-coast Canadian run, landing in Winnipeg with a mission: deliver a night built for rock fans without breaking their wallets. With affordable tickets and optional VIP meet-and-greets, this tour was built for the people, and it showed in the energy at Canada Life Centre. The shared tour idea sparked from decades of festival run-ins.
Finger Eleven kicked things off with the high-octane “Adrenaline” before rolling through hits like “Last Night on Earth,” “Slow Chemical,” and “Living in a Dream.” Rick Jackett looked straight-up possessed by his guitar, spinning and tapping it like he was showing off magic tricks. They wrapped with fan-favourite “Paralyzer,” leaving the crowd warmed up and hungry for more.
Headstones stormed the stage next. Hugh Dillon barely stayed on it as he spent half the time singing in the crowd like the world’s loudest ringleader. The arena screamed back on “Something Stands for Nothing” and “An Effort to Forget,” fists up and voices out. Their encore, “Smile & Wave,” was pure mischief and sweat.
The Tea Party, all the way from Windsor, closed the night. Opening with “Writing on the Wall,” they reminded everyone why they’ve held their ground since 1990. Jeff Martin’s pitch-perfect vocals, Jeff Burrows’ sharpened drum work, and Stuart Chatwood’s clean bass and synth lines turned songs like “The Messenger,” “Temptation,” and “Save Me” into booming arena moments.
Fans left with ringing ears, sore voices, and the sense that this overdue reunion of bands was worth it. Scott Anderson called it a “rock lover’s dream,” Dillon hyped a “perfect storm,” and Martin promised it would be worth the wait. Winnipeg got proof they weren’t bluffing.
Check out our favourite photos of the night below or head to our Facebook page for the full gallery!
Upcoming Tour Dates:
DEC 5 – Toronto, ON @ Great Canadian Toronto
DEC 6 – Ottawa, ON @ The Arena at TD Place
DEC 7 – Peterborough, ON @ Peterborough Memorial Centre
DEC 10 – Windsor, ON @ The Colosseum at Caesars Windsor
DEC 12 – Moncton, NB @ Casino New Brunswick
DEC 13 – Halifax, NS @ Scotiabank Centre
More information here.
THE TEA PARTY
HEADSTONES
FINGER ELEVEN
All Photo Credit: Nischal Karki
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