An Evening with The Flaming Lips @ Commodore Ballroom -- March 01, 2023

This has been a long time coming. Originally scheduled for 2020, the pair of shows were postponed until last year when, days before, they were postponed once again. But finally, the Oklahoma City band returned to Vancouver for those two shows at the Commodore. It was also a long time coming for me, since the last time I saw them perform was a free show in Toronto for NXNE in 2012 and I was antsy to see their live show again.

A palpable anticipation grew in the room as the set time drew near, a two-minute warning going over the speakers before the 8:30-sharp start time, and soon The Flaming Lips were out to start the show. Singer Wayne Coyne climbed into his personal inflatable sphere, and throughout the night he shot off confetti sticks, put on a Wonder Woman onesie over his suit, and just hyped up the crowd in general, barely letting the room be quiet even for a moment between songs, putting out an incredible energy.

And that energy was easily reciprocated; standing in front of a giant light board that displayed psychedelic graphics, as well as the lyrics to every song, one word (or sometimes one syllable) at a time, the band started with “A Cosmic Autumn Rebellion”, the lights strobing and confetti blasting out of the cannons side stage — which would be fired off frequently during the show.

Alongside the lights and confetti, there were a few props, the first being a giant inflatable rainbow framing the stage for gorgeous “Do You Realize??”, which had tears streaming down at least one person’s face, if not more. Especially after Coyne dedicated the song to a person named Greg, who wasn’t even expected to be at the original 2020 show, but beat his health problems long enough to be there both nights this year. This led to the crowd spontaneously erupting in “Greg! Greg! Greg!” chants on several occasions.
That wasn’t the only inflatable prop of the night though, as a huge pink robot towered in front of the stage, looming over the crowd for another favourite, “Yoshimi Battles the Pink Robots Pt. 1”.

But all the lights, lasers, confetti, and even bubble-machines wouldn’t have meant much if it wasn’t for the band’s often uplifting & heartwarming songs to go with them. The set spanned their vast career, from the quirky “At the Movies on Quaaludes” from the new album American Head, to “Your Bats” off Embryonic, the classic “A Spoonful Weighs a Ton” from The Soft Bulletin, and even a cover of Madonna’s “Borderline”.

After a big sing along to “She Don't Use Jelly” the set came to a close with Steven Drozd on vocals for “Pompeii am Götterdämmerung”, as they made the crowd work for the encore. But they came back hard, with Wayne climbing into his sphere again, warning everyone before another giant inflatable ball — filled with confetti & balloons — hit the crowd to throw around for “Worm Mountain”. After the deep cut b-side, “Sunship Balloons”, the band wrapped up the night with another one of my favourites, the dual-drummers nailing “Race for the Prize”, and one more surprise, Wayne holding up some inflatable letters spelling out a large FUCK YEAH VANCOUVER.

I don’t think it’s a hot take to say that The Flaming Lips have one of the best live shows going, and I doubt anyone that was at the Commodore over the last two nights would argue otherwise. Even with the occasional heavy subject matter, all their songs are brimming with positivity & joy, and their live show just amplifies that, thanks in no small part to Wayne Coyne himself. It’s hard not to grin from ear-to-ear at the show, or even thinking about it afterward.

Oddly enough, it was my first time seeing them at an indoor venue — after twice at Malkin Bowl and Young & Dundas Square — but they were no less magical. The show went for two hours, and I was ready for them to keep going until the sunrise.

setlist
My Cosmic Autumn Rebellion
Will You Return / When You Come Down
Do You Realize??
How??
Why Does It End?
Yoshimi Battles the Pink Robots Pt. 1
At the Movies on Quaaludes
Be Free, A Way
Borderline [Madonna cover]
Your Bats
Love Yer Brain
Dinosaurs on the Mountain
A Spoonful Weighs A Ton
She Don't Use Jelly
Pompeii am Götterdämmerung
(encore)
Worm Mountain
Sunship Balloons
Race for the Prize

PHOTOS: Hayden @ Christ Church Cathedral - February 15, 2023

Hayden
at Christ Church Cathedral
February 15, 2023

Blonde Diamond @ The Cobalt -- February 11, 2023

With a brand new album out late last year, Blonde Diamond finally got to have their release show. And not only that, it was at the newly re-opened Cobalt, in East Vancouver (my first show there since the venue came back a couple months ago). They took the opportunity to throw a huge party, with Vancouver acts Black Pontiac and Human Girl opening, as well as performances from local drag queens Bluee Joy and Maria the Cleaning Lady.

With a sold out room waiting, Blonde Diamond took the stage, singer Alexis Young in a stark while suit & cowboy hat with fringe dangling from the brim, joined by the rest of the band, Malcolm Holt on drums, Bruce Ledingham on keys, and Louis Wu on guitar.

Kicking off with “Man With No Name” — the first song off of the new album Magnetic Strangers — the band was joined by backup singers Nashlyn Lloyd and Kelsey Brette for the first few songs. Their set spotlighted the new album, with songs ranging from the sweaty anthem “We Just Wanna Dance”, to the dark & cautionary “Red Flags”, and my favourite, “In the Dark”.

The entire band had an explosive energy, but especially Young, who hardly stood still for a single moment; dancing, joining bandmates, and even slowly losing articles of the white suit to reveal an all-black outfit underneath (why don't more indie shows have costume changes, I ask you?)

Aside from the new album, the band reached back through their catalogue, not just for songs like the haunting “Dark Place”, but stretching back to their time as Youngblood, with “Feel Alright”, Alexis right at the front of the stage “baptizing” anyone willing in the front row.
They also teased a new song, possibly called “I'm So Fucking Happy”, which was the first time I heard the uncensored version, since they were not performing in an all-ages festival setting.

Near the end of the set, Lloyd and Brette joined them again, as well as special guest guitarist Parker Bossley for the last couple songs, the sultry “Better When You're Close” and capping off with the final song from the new album, “Losing Control”.

As with the ‘old’ Cobalt, the new one still doesn't really have a “backstage”, so the band just hung out off to the side for a moment, before obliging the crowd's chant for one more song. Once again dipping back to their time as Youngblood, the night ended with “Easy Nothing”, Alexis' voice filling the room to build to a finish that somehow topped the intensity of the rest of the night.

Over the last few years, I've seen Blonde Diamond multiple times as either a supporting act or part of a festival; it's been a minute since I saw them headlining a show, and was worth the wait. The energy & power from the band, and moody lights & rolling fog on-stage fit their “what the 60’s thought the future would sound like” mantra perfectly. And hopefully the next time will come a lot sooner.

setlist
Man With No Name
We Just Wanna Dance
Red Flags
Dreamland
Strange Times
Dark Place
4am Eternal
Feel Alright
I'm So Fucking Happy
In The Dark
Better When You're Close
Losing Control
(encore)
Easy Nothing

An Evening with Dan Mangan @ Fox Cabaret -- February 03, 2023

As much as I want to see musicians that I love get huge, blow up, have lots of success... when they do, there's a small (selfish) part of me that misses seeing them play intimate venues. Which is why it's great when someone like Dan Mangan decides to play somewhere like the Fox Cabaret. Part of a series of acoustic shows, tickets sold out in minutes for this hometown Evening with Dan Mangan.

With Radiohead playing over the speakers, the lights dimmed as Mangan took the stage alone, armed only with his acoustic guitar. Starting off with “Just Know It” from the new album Being Somewhere, and driving back to “Road Regrets” as Dan’s gruff voice filled the room, the night was not only intimate, but a little interactive as well.

He chatted with the crowd between songs, telling stories, and taking requests for the bulk of the set. From the classic wordplay of “Pine for Cedars”, to deep cuts like the frantic “Mouthpiece”, “Unnatural Progression” from his very first release Postcards and Daydreaming, and even his cover of Neutral Milk Hotel's “In the Aeroplane Over the Sea”, he hit requests from throughout his oeuvre.

Dan also debuted a new song, a clever tune about vampiric and parasitic people (I'm going to guess called “Vampire”?), with other highlights including the frenetic “Troubled Mind”, the melancholic “In Your Corner (For Scott Hutchinson)”, and “Sold”, with clap-a-long ending that's foolproof against people who may lack rhythm.

After the always-heartwrenching “Basket”, Dan started to draw the set to a close by wading out into the middle of the cabaret with his giant light fixture for a couple of singalongs. First the perennial favourite “Robots”, and finally ending the night as he's been wont to do for the last few years; the collective voices of the entire room supporting him on “So Much for Everyone”.

And that same crowd hung on every note Dan played throughout the night, with virtually no chatter during his songs. I’ve often said that Dan Mangan has a knack for making shows of any size feel intimate, but seeing him play a show like this again, after so many years, was truly something special.

setlist
Just Know It
Cold in the Summer
Road Regrets
Lay Low
Tina's Glorious Comeback
Jeopardy
Mouthpiece
In the Aeroplane Over the Sea [Neutral Milk Hotel cover]
Easy
New Song (Vampire?)
Pine for Cedars
Troubled Mind
Unnatural Progression
In Your Corner (For Scott Hutchinson)
Lynchpin
Fire Escape
Sold
Basket
Robots
So Much for Everyone

Dear Rouge with Hotel Mira @ Vogue Theatre -- December 10, 2022

It's been a busy year for Dear Rouge. After releasing their third studio album Spirit, they've played festivals, opened for Metric, and just finished a cross Canada tour with Hotel Mira, ending with a show at the Vogue Theatre here in Vancouver.

Unfortunately I missed the first opening set from Mauvey, arriving slightly before the intro of Metallica’s “For Whom The Bell Tolls” rang throughout the theatre, signalling the entrance of Hotel Mira. Kicking off with “You Know Best”, the band played a selection off their latest album Perfectionism, as well as teasing some new tunes, and hitting older songs from the band’s previous incarnation, JPNSGRLS, like ”Southern Comforting”.

As ever, each member had a high energy, especially frontman Charlie Kerr, as he danced, gyrated, and even waded into the crowd on a few occasions. I don't think I've ever seen him stand still for more than five seconds while on stage.

Highlights including “Better on your Own” which Kerr dedicated to a recent breakup in the crowd, the raucous harmonies of “Jungle”, and the infectious “Fever Pitch”, where Charlie plucked a ‘Listen Bitch’ sign out of the audience for the chorus.

They finished it off with another old favourite, the frantic and chaotic “Oh My God”, and I’m willing to wager that it won't be long before the group is headlining the Vogue themselves.

The stage was dark and smoky when the members of Dear Rouge, all clad in black, came out. Interestingly enough, both bands started with the lead singer in a long black coat, which they doffed a few songs in -- though Danielle's outfit under the coat was much more sparkly than Charlie's undershirt.

Starting off with “Relationship Problems”, their hour-and-a-half set spanned their three album, from the frenetic “Boys & Blondes”; to the soft & tender “Life Goes By And I Can't Keep Up”, which spotlighted Drew McTaggart's vocals; to the giant singalong for “I Heard I Had”.

Danielle McTaggart stalked the front of the stage for “Modern Shakedown”, and “Black to Gold” saw the stage bathed in an amber light. In fact, with the large rig behind then — that included a disco ball and big neon ‘Dear Rouge’ sign — the lightning did a great job setting the mood throughout the evening.

Near the end of the set, they were joined by special guest Jessia to duet with Danielle on the song “That’s It, That’s All”, before closing with the anthemic “Gimme Spirit”.
But of course, the group was back out with a couple more, ending the night with the incredibly fun and quirky “Meet Me At The Rio”, which broke down into a cover of Le Tigre's “Deceptacon”, before a big finish.

It seems like the last few times I’ve seen Dear Rouge — even going back before the pandemic — had been either as an opening band or in the middle of a festival, so it was nice to see them be able to spread their wings as the headliner. And then you add Hotel Mira into the mix, and it’s an fantastic double-bill spotlighting a pair of Vancouver’s hottest acts.

Dear Rouge setlist
Relationship Problems
Fake Fame
Live Through The Night
Boys & Blondes
You Rattle Me
Dream Dreamer
Modern Shakedown
Wanna Love
Life Goes By And I Can't Keep Up
Black to Gold
I Heard I Had
Facedown
That's It, That's All (Jessia)
Tongues
Gimme Spirit
(encore)
Stolen Days
Meet Me At The Rio (feat. Deceptacon by Le Tigre)

Hotel Mira setlist
You Know Best
Better On Your Own
This Could Be It For Me
Eventually
Everything Once
Son in Law
Jungle
The Eyes on You
Speaking off the Record
Southern Comforting
Fever Pitch
Oh My God