Yawn @ Green Auto -- June 21. 2025

It’s funny how timing works out sometimes. A few months ago, I was randomly thinking about Julia & Her Piano and wondering what Julia McDougall was up to, music-wise. Then mere days later, I came across the latest single from Yawn, her new project! With a new album titled wish i could’ve released last week, Yawn is on a quick jaunt through BC, including the album release party at Green Auto in Vancouver.

Opening the night was a drag performance from Mikki Wikki, before Yawn took the stage. The room was decorated with big flowers and the band was all clad entirely in white, including flowers in their hair, for real Midsommar vibes (there was even a ‘white & flowers’ dress code for the crowd).

With a full band that included a three piece string section, they started off with the first song off the album, “help myself”, going through dreamy synth-pop like the bouncy and frenetic “coloured light” and the title track “wish i could’ve” a hazy song full of regrets.

Early on Julia mentioned how grateful she was for everyone to be there celebrating the album, but quickly going into some goofy jokes between songs; taking impromptu polls, trying to play matchmaker to all the single people in the crowd, and even blessing songs. Everything gave real intimate vibes for the show, like a group of friends just hanging out.

They played the first half of the album mostly in order, but after jumping ahead to the chaotic “world is burning”, there was a quick break before the band come back out with the absolutely heartbreaking, “i deserve better”, my favourite off the album.

As the set was coming to a close, they were re-joined by a harpist for the ethereal “take your time” to end the main set, but not before Julia gave a sly wink that they’d be back. And of course they were, giving a tease of a brand new song, “twenty minutes in heaven”, an upbeat bop to finish off the night.

It’s been a long time since I saw Julia play live. The main things I remembered was her sense of humour combined with catchy tunes, and both were well on display with Yawn for the album release last night.

setlist
help myself
broken baby
coloured light
wish i could’ve
let it all go
world is burning
(intermission)
i deserve better
back in my head
wasting time
take your time
(encore)
twenty minues in heaven

Ninja Sex Party @ Commodore Ballroom -- June 20, 2025

As their Pure Elegance Tour came to an end, Ninja Sex Party hit the Commodore Ballroom for what was their first(!) show in Vancouver. I’ve followed them on & off over the last few years, but I knew their show would be a real fun time so I was excited to see them, especially as they had TWRP opening for them — a band that I have somehow kept missing live, after randomly seeing them on a street corner in Toronto at 2:30 am at NXNE 2012.

For some reason, the line at the Commodore was still massive an hour after doors (wrapping around past the Orpheum and onto Seymour!) so sadly I missed half of TWRP. The colourfully costumed band from Future Space Canada consisted of Doctor Sung on vocals & keys, Lord Phobos on guitar, bassist Commander Meouch, and drummer Havve Hogan.

They were just launching into the synth rock jam “Synthesise Her” as I got there, catching the last few songs of the set, including the retro flashback to “VHS” and the frenetic “Phantom Racer”. Between each song they had some banter to introduce them, including a running tally of each song they played, conveniently juicing the numbers so they ended the set with song #69 (and also playing one last one, #69-2). They wrapped up the set with “A Human's Touch”, featuring surprise guest vocals from McKenna Rae.

After Ninja Sex Party’s tour manager (I’m guessing) Matt came out to give a few quick rules for the night, the between-set-music turned into an impromptu karaoke with Backstreet Boys & Smash Mouth. Then the lights dimmed and the members of TWRP were back out, soon joined by Ninja Sex Party — Ninja Brian with his usual ninja getup and Danny Sexbang in his spandex and cape.

They started, appropriately enough, with “Get Ready (to Get Ready)” before going into a set that ranged from the sexy “Orgy for One” to the romantic “Heart Boner”. The braggadocious “I Own a Car” to the relatable “Welcome to My Parents’ House”. The 80’s rock inspired comedy songs ran the gamut of emotions, as Danny belted out the tunes with Brian on keys.

Between songs, they would joke and banter, mostly Ninja Brian antagonizing everyone; bugging Danny with a constant barrage of clips of Paul Stanley hyping up a crowd, trolling the members of TWRP with constant handshakes & refusals thereof, and playing with the crowd through those same clips shouting out Toronto (to thunderous boos).

Aside from their own songs, NSP slipped in a few covers, including “The Hit”, one of the first songs they wrote with TWRP. They also touched on some 80’s classics from Dead or Alive, The Cars, and a great version of the sadly-still-relevant “Everybody Wants to Rule the World” by Tears for Fears.

The main set came to a close (but not before Danny gave the encore concept a wink & nod) with the sci-fi epic “6969”, and after some coaxing from Ninja Brian, everyone was back out for another TWRP collab, “Starlight Brigade”. Finally, they wrapped up the evening with their big hit, the soaring and emotional “Danny Don't You Know?”, the whole room singing and chanting (and crying?) along.

In fact, the crowd was almost constantly singing along throughout the show, cheering & chanting & playing along between songs, with a wave of energy and love pouring to the stage. So much so that it visibly affected Danny (and assumedly Brian too, behind the mask) as he looked genuinely surprised & grateful more than once. Before leaving, he quipped that it may have taken them 17 years to finally make it to Vancouver, but thanks to this crowd, they would be back a lot sooner.

setlist
Get Ready (to Get Ready)
Cool Patrol
Welcome to My Parents' House
The Hit [TWRP cover]
Seatbelts!
I Own a Car
You Spin Me Round (Like a Record) [Dead or Alive cover]
Freak on a Leash [Korn cover]
Heart Boner
Just What I Needed [The Cars cover]
Orgy for One
Everybody Wants to Rule the World [Tears for Fears cover]
6969
(encore)
Starlight Brigade [TWRP cover]
Danny Don't You Know?

Mae Martin @ Vogue Theatre -- June 13, 2025

You might know Mae Martin from their comedy career, the show Feel Good, the podcast Handsome, or even their appearance on Taskmaster. But earlier this year, Martin went back to a teenage love and released their first album I’m a TV, and the latest leg of the tour wrapped up with a show at the Vogue Theatre in Vancouver.

Opening the night was Vancouver’s own Ashleigh Ball, out on stage with just Dallas Bud backing her on guitar. Her signature flute in hand, she opened the set with “Tried to Tell You” before a couple new songs, the smooth “3am” and “Rosemary”, introduced with a story about the inspiration behind the song — a person she met at a silent retreat who did not quite understand the ‘silent’ part.
Throughout the set, Ball told storied behind some of the songs, including they Hey Ocean! tune “To The Sea” and the wild party that inspired the gorgeous & trippy song “Lavender” that capped off the set.

Not long after, Mae Martin took the stage, backed by Jason Couse and Wes Marskell (otherwise known as The Darcys, who also produced Mae’s album). They immediately launched in to “Big Bear”, Mae shredding on guitar, focusing on the album for the first half of the set, with songs like “Garbage Strike”, about the Toronto blackout of ‘03, and the breezy “Try Me”.

Mae was quick to tell the crowd how happy they were to be on stage, and how much of a dream come true it was. Throughout the set, Mae chatted & introduced songs with their slight awkward charm, and even the couple (small) flubs through the set were easy to overlook with their sheer enthusiasm radiating through the room.

Part way through the set, Jason and Wes took a break for Mae to grab a stool centre stage and dive into a few acoustic covers; a pair of Elliott Smith songs, as well as Half Moon Run, and a Third Eye Blind deep cut — accompanied by a story of Mae being starstruck when recently meeting singer Stephan Jenkins. Jason was back out to join on vocals for “People Get Back Up” before Wes returned as well, as Mae joked they wanted a bit more ‘millennial nostalgia’ with a cover of David Gray’s Babylon, which segued into the Third Eye Blind classic “How’s It Going to Be”.

After teasing a new song out later this month and the slow burn “No Cowboy”, Martin decided they didn’t want the night to end just yet. So they threw one one more song before the finish, another new one called “Kodak Film”, double checking if Jason and Wes knew it (they did not, but picked up on it so quick that if they hadn’t had that aside, I never would have known).

And finally, they wrapped up the set with “Brought Me Round”, Mae and the boys going all out for the finish to end the night, not bothering with the whole encore schtick (which I always appreciate).

I was really not sure what to expect from the show, but Mae’s enthusiasm & stage presence, combined with their heartfelt songs, and Jason & Wes backing them up made for a very fun night, with Ashleigh Ball opening being the proverbial cherry on top.

setlist
Big Bear
Stowaway
I Love You So Much
Try Me
Quiet Street
Garbage Strike
Pitseleh [Elliott Smith cover]
Unofferable [Half Moon Run cover]
Motorcycle Drive By [Third Eye Blind cover]
Pretty Mary K [Elliott Smith cover]
People Get Back Up
Babylon [David Gray cover]
How’s It Going to Be [Third Eye Blind cover]
Recent Hit
No Cowboy
Good Dream
Kodak Film
Brought Me Round

Art d'Ecco @ Fox Cabaret -- June 12, 2025

Earlier this year, Art d’Ecco dropped his latest album, Serene Demon, and since I (regretfully) missed the release show in Vancouver back in January, I was glad to catch him on his current tour as he hit the Fox Cabaret.

Unfortunately I got there after opener Dour, arriving not long before Art d’Ecco and his Demon Band hit the stage, all clad in black jackets (only half of which were leather), which included Evan Miller on guitar, Olivier Leclerc on bass, Malcolm Holt on drums, Hayden C on keys, and Kyler Young on saxophone.

They started off the set with the lead track on the album, the seductive “True Believer” then the sax-laden disco groove of “Tree Of Life”, and from there weaving through his catalogue of glam-pop tunes. Highlights included the dark, anthemic “TV God”, going back to his tresspasser album for “Who Is It Now?”, and the catchiest song about not joining a sex cult, “Palm Slave”.

Art stopped to chat with the audience a few times through the set, but mostly let his charisma do the talking. He strut and danced around stage with an effortless swagger, almost never still for more than a moment.

The set flew by as it seemed like no time at all before he closed out with a one-two punch of bangers; “Head Rush” and the band going all out for “Dark Days (Revisited)”. But of course he was back out for more, first with a cover of “Live It Up” by The Isley Brothers, and wrapping up the set with a “Midlife Crisis”.

It had been a minute since the last time I saw Art d’Ecco live (six years ago at Constellation festival!) so I was glad to have caught him at the Fox last night for a fun show!

setlist
True Believer
Tree Of Life
Only Ones
TV God
Survival Of The Fittest
I Feel Alive
Who Is It Now?
Sad Light Disco
Palm Slave
Head Rush
Dark Days (Revisited)
(encore)
Live It Up [The Isley Brothers cover]
Midlife Crisis

Rilo Kiley @ Commodore Ballroom -- May 21, 2025

Whenever the question of ‘bands you wish you could have seen live’ comes up, my immediate answer was always Rilo Kiley. Not only had I missed seeing them before they broke up, I’ve also somehow never seen any of Jenny Lewis’ solo projects (to my shame). So when the Los Angeles group announced their reunion last year for the Sometimes When You’re On You’re Really Fucking On tour, which included a show at the Commodore Ballroom, I was just a little excited.

Unfortunately due to prior commitments, I missed the opener Morgan Nagler, arriving to the sold out Commodore not long before Rilo Kiley hit the stage. Jenny Lewis, Blake Sennett, Pierre de Reeder, and Jason Boesel were joined by Harrison Whitford as they kicked off the set to raucous ovation with “The Execution of All Things” and from there spanned all of their albums.

From “Wires and Waves” off their debut Take Offs and Landings, to “Spectacular Views” building to a chaotic finish, and the slinky slow jam “The Moneymaker” from Under the Blacklight, their infectious indie rock full of intricate narratives blasted through the room. Jenny’s voice soared on “I Never”, while Blake took over lead vocals on “Ripchord”, as the band rocked out on songs like “It’s a Hit” (featuring guest trumpet from Orenda Fink) and the heartbreakingly beautiful “Does He Love You?”, Jenny accepted flowers from the front of the stage before the song erupted into a grand finish.

Collectively waiting for this moment for fifteen years, the crowd was locked in all night. People wildly cheered when recognising a song from a single note, I saw lots of hugging & crying around me, with tons of singing along as well; the best example being “With Arms Outstretched” as Lewis handed over the chorus to the audience. I could almost believe them when they gave the standard “this crowd is the best of the tour so far!”

After more singing to “A Better Son/Daughter” — which included the tour’s namesake lyrics — the room somehow came more unglued for “Portions for Foxes”. A favourite of mine (and many others judging by the volume of the punctuating “come here!” in the song) it was incredible to finally see live, as chills crept across my arms and a smile across my face.

That finished off the main set, but with the lights down and interstitial music playing, the band was back soon enough, starting off the encore with the heart wrenching “A Man/Me/Then Jim” once again featuring Fink on trumpet. Morgan Nadler made a quick cameo to provide some dance instructions to “The Frug”, and finally the band sent everyone home with “Pictures of Success”.

Going into a show like this, it’s easy to worry a little. Was I building this up in my head too much? Is this just a cash grab reunion? Questions like that. Thankfully, those were quickly answered with a show that felt simultaneously nostalgic and timeless, Rilo Kiley on top of their game and a crowd hungry for every note. I’m not sure if they have any more planned after the tour (beyond the greatest hits album they have out soon) but if it was just a one off and that was it, it was a hit.

setlist
The Execution of All Things
Wires and Waves
Spectacular Views
The Moneymaker
Dreamworld
I Never
Close Call
Paint’s Peeling
It's a Hit
Does He Love You?
Ripchord
Silver Lining
With Arms Outstretched
A Better Son/Daughter
Portions for Foxes
(encore)
A Man/Me/Then Jim
The Frug
Pictures of Success