Concerts Reviews
Live Review – Dua Lipa in Vancouver: The Dance Party We’ve All Been Waiting For!
When the lights dimmed and the familiar beat of “Physical” filled the air at Rogers Arena in Vancouver on April 1, 2022, it marked the end of a long and uncertain hiatus from live music for many fans. Dua Lipa‘s Future Nostalgia Tour had arrived in Vancouver, and it was clear from the outset that this would be a night to remember.
As the first concert post-COVID for many attendees, the anticipation was palpable. The crowd, eager to relive the thrill of live music, was in for a treat. Dua Lipa, with her signature blend of charisma and talent, had something special in store.
The setlist for the evening was a journey through Dua Lipa‘s discography, featuring hits and fan favourites that had the audience on their feet from start to finish. From “Physical” to “Hotter Than Hell” to “Don’t Start Now,” the show was a rollercoaster of danceable beats and powerful vocals.
The show kicked off with “Physical”, and right away, Dua Lipa‘s energy was at the top. The crowd joined in, dancing and revelling in the sheer joy of being at a live concert once again. “New Rules,” “Love Again,” and “Cool” (featuring rollerblading dancers!) followed, each met with cheers and applause.
Dua Lipa created an immersive experience for almost 2 hours. The stage production, complete with stunning visuals and incredible dancers, added another layer to the performance. The production design was a blend of futuristic elements and nostalgic references, complementing the “Future Nostalgia” theme. Special shout-out to the giant inflatable lobster during “We’re Good” – MVP of the night!
Midway through the set, songs like “IDGAF”, “We’re Good”, and “Good in Bed” kept the energy high, but it was “One Kiss” and “Electricity” that turned the arena into a massive dance party.
As the night progressed, Dua Lipa took a moment to address important issues, performing “Boys Will Be Boys”, a song that carries a powerful message of empowerment and gender equality. The audience was in for a treat as her collaboration with Elton John brought the spirit of the legendary artist to the stage. “Levitating” and “Future Nostalgia” left the crowd on a euphoric high, and the encore of “Don’t Start Now”, including her infamous dance move as a cheeky nod to her determination to grow as an artist, was the perfect way to close out the show.
This performance was a collective celebration of the return of live music, and Dua Lipa did not disappoint. The Future Nostalgia Tour stop in Vancouver was not just the last North American show before heading to Europe; it showed the power of music to unite and uplift.
As the night concluded, and fans spilled out of Rogers Arena, the smiles on their faces told the story. Post-COVID Vancouver was ready to dance, and Dua Lipa had provided the soundtrack for a night of pure joy.
All Photo Credit: Caroline Charruyer – taken from our seat with a point & shoot camera
Concerts Reviews
LIVE REVIEW: David Lee Roth Brings the Party to Vancouver’s Vogue Theatre
Some artists play a concert. David Lee Roth puts on a show.
The legendary Van Halen frontman took over Vancouver’s Vogue Theatre on July 13 for nearly two and a half hours of classic rock, storytelling, and larger-than-life personality. From the moment he stepped on stage, it was obvious Vancouver still holds a special place in his heart. Throughout the night, he reminisced about recording here over the years and shared fond memories of his time at the Nelson Place Hotel, where, judging by the grin on his face, he had more than a few unforgettable nights.
If you’ve ever seen Diamond Dave, you know the music is only part of the experience.
Roth’s storytelling was in peak form, with tales between songs that seemed to wander wherever his brain felt like taking them. The longest detour of the night eventually landed on “Ice Cream Man,” with Roth picking up an acoustic guitar and easing into the Van Halen classic. Moments like that are exactly why he’s never been just a singer; he’s a showman through and through, and the crowd was loving every minute of it.
At one point, Roth referred to himself as “35 years old… times two,” and honestly, the man has enough energy to make people half his age question their cardio. He powered through almost two and a half hours with barely a pause, constantly moving across the stage with his signature Muppet-like swagger, dramatic poses and facial expression, and even a limbo under his microphone stand just because… he’s David Lee Roth. As a self-proclaimed “paper cup of whiskey,” Roth couldn’t have described himself more perfectly: a little rough around the edges, endlessly charismatic, and impossible not to enjoy.
The setlist delivered exactly what Vancouver came to hear, with Van Halen classics including “Panama,” “Jamie’s Cryin’,” “Dance the Night Away,” “Hot for Teacher,” “Ain’t Talkin’ ‘Bout Love,” “Jump,” and “Runnin’ with the Devil.” One of the evening’s standout moments came during “Unchained,” where Roth busted out a harmonica solo, adding his own twist to one of the band’s heaviest anthems.
The crowd was all in from the opening song, singing every chorus back to the stage, cheering between stories, even telling Roth to “gimme a break” when the time came (iykyk). While his voice doesn’t quite reach the same sky-high notes it did in the ’80s, that hardly mattered. Rather than chasing perfection, Roth leaned into what has always made him such a captivating performer: personality, humour, spontaneity, and an undeniable love for being on stage. You could genuinely feel how much fun he was having, and that enthusiasm spread through the theatre.
His backing band kept the iconic songs sounding tight and full of energy, while the backup vocalists were an absolute highlight of the night. They were impossible not to watch, dancing through every song, interacting with each other, and laughing along with Roth‘s antics. The moment one of the backing vocalists sauntered across the stage to jump behind another set of synth keys, you knew the crowd was about to be transported straight into synth heaven. Their chemistry with one another and with Roth added another layer of excitement to an already lively performance, making the stage feel alive from start to finish.
With plenty of videos from earlier stops on the tour circulating online, Vancouver’s performance felt like one of the strongest of the run. Roth looked relaxed, sounded confident, and seemed genuinely excited to be back in a city that’s clearly been an important part of his career. Whether it was the hometown memories, the electric crowd, or simply one of those nights where everything clicked, the show had an extra spark that carried through from start to finish
David Lee Roth may not sound exactly like he did four decades ago, and honestly, that’s okay. What hasn’t changed is his ability to command a stage, make thousands of people smile, and turn a concert into a full-blown rock ‘n’ roll party. For diehard Van Halen fans, it was a chance to relive the classics. For everyone else, it was a reminder that great songs are one thing, but a true showman knows how to make them unforgettable.
Check our our favourite photos of the night below or head to our Facebook page for the full glallery!
DAVID LEE ROTH IN VANCOUVER
All Photo Credit: Heather Horncastle
Concerts Reviews
LIVE REVIEW: A$AP Rocky’s Tour Finale Brings Out 50 Cent, Ice Spice, and the A$AP Mob
Coming off the hype of his long-awaited fourth studio album Don’t Be Dumb, A$AP Rocky has been turning up shows and electrifying audiences across major venues in North America. On Saturday, he was performing at the Prudential Center, which is near his hometown of New York. Eager fans packed into the venue, greeted by a warning on the big screen that read, “Please be advised that this performance includes SWAT performers and strobe effects. Enjoy the show!” The message felt direct yet somewhat chilling.
When the moment finally arrived, A$AP Rocky stormed onto the general admission floor accompanied by police officers and masked bodyguards sporting AWGE tactical gear. Unlike most concerts, this one kicked off in the middle of the crowd. When he shouted, “Open that shit up!” the crowd erupted, and all hell broke loose.
As fans piled in to get as close as possible to the rapper, the once-spacious venue transformed into a massive mosh pit. It was organized chaos, much to A$AP‘s delight, as he seemed to feed off their energy, a true ringleader in the mayhem. Most rappers wouldn’t dare start a show this way for obvious safety reasons. But not A$AP, he enjoys being right in the middle of the action.
Performing some of the more energetic songs from his new album, like “Helicopter” and “Order of Protection,” he danced, jumped, and pushed back against the crowd. This felt like a special show, as the hometown kid finally got to celebrate with his New York and New Jersey fans.
Joining him for this event were several special guests, including Ice Spice, Uncle Murda, 50 Cent, Skilla Baby, and various members of the A$AP Mob, blessing the crowd with favorites like “Deli,” “Many Men,” and “Thick One.” With this final show, Rocky concluded his United States and Canada run of the Don’t Be Dumb tour with a banger. We can only look forward to more surprises and epic moments as he takes the show to Europe. Rocky will be taking no prisoners as he embarks on this extended leg. I just hope those fans heed the warning and come ready to turn up with the mob.
Check out our favorite photos of the show below or head to our Facebook page for the full gallery!
A$AP ROCKY
All Photo Credit: Anthony Grant