Concerts Photos
Tom Morello at the Commodore Ballroom in Vancouver
Tom Morello kicked off his electric full band tour at Vancouver’s Commodore Ballroom on July 10 & 11 with a show that felt part protest, part family affair, and all rock fury. The Rage Against the Machine guitarist, known for turning distortion into a weapon and solos into statements, wasted no time. Flanked by his Freedom Fighters Orchestra, he kicked things off with “Soldier in the Army of Love” alongside his teenage son Roman, who shredded like a seasoned vet with his guitar above his head and a grin that matched his dad’s.
Before Morello took the stage, Haisla Nation hip hop duo Snotty Nose Rez Kids set the tone with a set packed with punchy bars, pointed politics, and mosh pit antics. Their last high-profile Vancouver performance was during the Juno Awards celebrations, and they proved once again they can hold a crowd with energy and message.
Morello’s set was a greatest-hits whirlwind. Rage Against the Machine medleys (“Testify,” “Bulls on Parade,” “Bombtrack”) bled into tributes to Audioslave and MC5. But it was the crowd-led scream-along of “Killing in the Name” that blew the roof off.
He closed his set with a cover “Kick Out the Jams” and brought back Snotty Nose Rez Kids on the stage.
Upcoming show dates:
07/16 Ottawa, ON – Ottawa Bluesfest
07/17 Toronto, ON – Danforth Music Hall
10/18 Oakville, ON – Oakville Centre for the Performing Arts
10/19 Mississauga, ON – Living Arts Centre
10/24 Richmond Hill, ON – Richmond Hill Centre for the Performing Arts
10/25 Kingston, ON – Kingston Grand Theatre
10/26 Guelph, ON – River Run Centre
10/28 North Bay, ON – Capitol Centre
10/29 Ottawa, ON – Meridian Theatres at Centrepointe
11/01 Montreal, QC – Beanfield Theatre
11/02 Quebec City, QC – Imperial Bell
More information on his website at tommorello.com.
Check out our favourite photos of the night below or head to our Facebook page for the full gallery!
TOM MORELLO
SNOTTY NOSE REZ KIDS
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