Concerts Photos
Vampire Weekend at Deer Lake Park in Burnaby, BC – Gallery
On June 18, Vampire Weekend brought their Only God Is Above Us Tour to Deer Lake Park in Burnaby, BC.
Mike Gordon (from PHISH) captivated early arrivers with a versatile performance that drew from rock, funk, and jam band influences. His stage presence and chemistry with his band made the set engaging for everyone.
Under a golden-hour sun, indie pop and rock group Vampire Weekend, formed at Columbia University in 2006, consisting of frontman Ezra Koenig, bassist Chris Baio, and drummer Chris Tomson, alongside their backing band, mixed tracks from their new album with hits from previous ones in a dynamic 30-song set.
The concert kicked off energetically with “Mansard Roof” from their self-titled debut album, and “Cousins” from their 2010 album “Contra”. Koenig, dressed in a pale gray jumpsuit, engaged playfully with the audience during “Cousins.” The upbeat vibe continued with “Campus”. The 3 OG members stood in front of giant Vampire Weekend sheet for these 3 songs. During “Ice Cream Piano”, the sheet dropped to reveal four additional touring band members and a cavernous backdrop. Right after, “Classical” served us an expressive dance solo.
Peppered throughout the set were tracks from the new album, Only God Was Above Us, which translated beautifully to the stage, sounding grander than on the on the tightly produced studio recording.
The main set ended with a reimagined “Hope,” featuring Koenig’s evocative vocals and dramatic lighting. The encore included audience-suggested covers of The Killers, ABBA, AC/DC, and Bruce Springsteen, before concluding with “Workship You” and “Ya Hey”.
From the start to the encore, the band commanded the stage with ease. Koenig’s vocals were clear and playful, supported by Baio, Tomson. The chemistry among the band members was palpable, with each song reflecting their almost two-decades journey of perfecting their craft and evolving their sound. Vampire Weekend’s performance showcased their musical talent and endurance. The two-hour show kept the audience engaged and moving, demonstrating the band’s ability to create an immersive and memorable concert experience.
Vampire Weekend will continue to tour North America until October so you have plenty of time to catch a show!
Check out our favourite photos of the show below or head to our Facebook page for the full gallery!
VAMPIRE WEEKEND
MIKE GORDON
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