Concerts Photos
Peach PRC in New York City – Review & Gallery
It’s Pride month in New York City so it was only natural to spend two nights with Australia’s glittering (self-dubbed) Lesbian Popstar Peach PRC.
Every aspect of the stage was curated to Peach’s bubblegum pop Y2k aesthetic— from her full body pink glitter and extravagant makeup and stage outfits to the lighting and visuals. Shoutout to makeup artists Stirling Tull and Linnea Sumner who crafted these glittery looks. Their artwork makes for a striking appearance in the best way. The looks felt like a nod to Peach’s pink and sparkling essence and the aesthetics of drag performers and made both Peach and Chloe on guitar absolutely magnetic and eye-catching. In addition to the makeup looks, Peach continued to sparkle at the center of my attention from the artful lighting by Jackson Sto.
Fans of Peach PRC are incredibly involved and dedicated to the artist, both nights I attended there were fan projects that filled the floor during specific songs. Night one at Warsaw fans held up paper hearts that read “Peach PRC saved me” and on the second night at Irving Plaza they filled the audience with rainbow flags during “God is a Freak.” There was a clear bond between the artist and her fans that was palpable even from the side of the stage, Peach’s smiles to the audience told all. She received many pigeon and pink themed gifts throughout the show from fans. The crowd was so loud and excited and most came for both nights— some fans coming from as far as Canada for the sold out Irving Plaza show.
Peach performed solo with Chloe Dadd on guitar. Peach is a captivating performer and her vocals across these two performances were some of her best. Between the dynamic Chloe and sparkling Peach on stage you’d be hard pressed to choose who to look at. The on-stage chemistry between the pair creates a sense of comfort, allowing them to tap into the emotions of the audience during what Peach dubbed the “sad section of the concert where we’re all gonna cry.” The pair sat on stage and performed Peach’s newest single, “Touchy Subject” to an audience that all certainly had to dab at their eyes. Her songwriting style is raw and vulnerable and they are well-suited to being performed live to a receptive audience who come in ready to feel. During this part of the set the audience sang along, harmonizing at times, captivated by the storytelling.
I think what makes Peach PRC such a compelling artist both on and off the stage is her authenticity to herself. She makes music about the deepest of emotions and puts so much of herself into each song that they take the listener on an emotional journey. Her performance celebrates the highs and lows of life and she is unafraid to be authentic to herself on stage. Her songs about her lesbian identity reflect this and the live show created a space for her concert attendees to also feel celebrated in their sexualities or gender identities. Peach was given a lesbian flag during the Pride flag fan project and the singer danced and proudly held up the flag, waving it for all to see. She also incorporates a stripper pole into the set, an ode to her previous profession. The audience loved the moments where she stepped out in 7 inch clear platforms and did tricks on the pole. She celebrates the journey that brought her to the glittery pop performances she puts on today. It was such a moving show to be at during Pride Month.
Check out our favorite photos of the night below. Full gallery will be up on our Facebook Page shortly.
All Photo Credit: Anya Tucker
Concerts Photos
Foster The People Bring ‘Good Mourning Sunshine’ Tour to the Freedom Mobile Arch in Vancouver
There was something fitting about Foster the People bringing their Good Mourning Sunshine tour to Vancouver on September 15. The band’s latest live show starts with the promise of a perfect 1950s-inspired world, then slowly tears that picture apart. By the end of the night at the Freedom Mobile Arch, the whole thing had become a colourful psychedelic fever dream.
Led by Mark Foster, the band moved easily between the disco and synth-funk sounds of Paradise State of Mind, the indie-pop songs that first made them stars, and sharper catalogue cuts like “Lotus Eater.” It could have felt disjointed, but the set worked as a look at just how much Foster the People have changed since “Pumped Up Kicks” first took over the radio.
The production did plenty of heavy lifting. What began as a polished, almost too-perfect visual world gradually became stranger and more distorted as the show progressed. The shift gave the newer material a strong identity live, turning the concert into something that felt like it had an actual storyline rather than simply moving from song to song.
Still, the older hits were never far from the crowd’s mind. “Sit Next to Me” had the audience singing along, setting up the inevitable closing moment. “Pumped Up Kicks” brought the night home, with thousands of voices joining in on its instantly recognizable whistle.
Forster the People have plenty of history to lean on, but Vancouver’s show made a case for looking ahead as the new material gives them somewhere else to go.
Check out our favourite photos of the night below or head to our Facebook page for the full gallery!
FOSTER THE PEOPLE
All Photo Credit: Caroline Charruyer
Concerts Photos
The Charlatans at the Commodore Ballroom in Vancouver
There is something special about watching a band that has been doing this for decades step onstage and look like they are having just as much fun as the people watching them. That was The Charlatans at the Commodore Ballroom in Vancouver on September 11.
Frontman Tim Burgess remains one of the most naturally charismatic figures in British alternative rock. From the opening moments, he was constantly connecting with the crowd, arms raised, dancing across the stage and soaking in every response. There was no sense of going through the motions. The joy looked genuine.
The set balanced the band’s latest album, We Are Love, with a deep run through their back catalogue. “We Are Love,” “Deeper and Deeper” and “For the Girls” sat comfortably beside classics like “North Country Boy,” “Weirdo,” “Tellin’ Stories,” “One to Another” and “Just When You’re Thinkin’ Things Over.”
Tony Rogers’ Hammond organ remained one of the band’s secret weapons, adding that unmistakable swirl to the songs, while Mark Collins’ guitar and Martin Blunt’s bass gave the set its groove. The chemistry between the musicians was just as enjoyable as the songs themselves. At times, it felt less like watching a tightly scripted rock show and more like being invited into a really good studio jam.
“North Country Boy” and “One to Another” produced some of the biggest reactions of the night, but “The Only One I Know” was the obvious crowd-pleaser. They closed the encore with “Sproston Green.”
More than 30 years into their career, The Charlatans are not simply selling nostalgia. They are still making new music, still taking chances onstage and, perhaps most importantly, still look like they genuinely love playing together. Vancouver got a reminder that some bands age, but the Charlatans just keep playing.
Check out our favourite photos of the night below or head to our Facebook page for the full gallery!
THE CHARLATANS
All Photo Credit: Caroline Charruyer