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?

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

Stars @ Commodore Ballroom -- April 17, 2025

Six month ago, Stars stopped by the Vogue Theatre for a sold out show celebrating 20 years of Set Yourself on Fire. During that evening they teased a second round, and low & behold, last night they returned to the Commodore Ballroom for yet another sold out show, celebrating the seminal album.

Fittingly enough, the opening band was the same that opened for them about 20 years ago at Richard’s on Richards, p:ano. The Vancouver group has been on a bit of a hiatus over the last couple decades, but last year they returned for a brand new album, ba ba ba, which made up most of their set. Starting off with “what was i thinking”, Nick Krgovich and Larissa Loyva (aka Kellarissa) switched off on vocals for some chill, indie-pop songs, including the toe-tapping “mariko”, the most rocking of the set “mikey's new house”, and the suburban shoutout to “a bit of coquitlam”.
Unfortunately, their chill vibes and the growing crowd didn’t quite mix as pockets of chatter arose (or maybe I was just in an unlucky spot), but it was a good set otherwise, and I would love to see them again in a more intimate, and attentive, venue.

Not long after that, Stars took the stage; Torquil Campbell, Amy Millan, Evan Cranley, Chris Seligman, Patrick McGee, and Chris McCarron, joined by a sax player. The set started with a full playthrough of the album, the familiar introduction of “When there's nothing left to burn, you have to set yourself on fire” ringing out and the entire crowd singing along to the perennial favourite, “Your Ex-Love Is Dead”. From there, they ran through the timeless collection of songs about love and death, from the bouncy nostalgia of “Reunion” to the pure passion of “What I’m Trying to Say”, and the (sadly) still-relevant “He Lied About Death” which Torquil gave a simple introduction of: don’t fucking vote for nazis. That was followed by the absolutely gorgeous “Celebration Guns”, Amy’s immaculate vocals bringing a tear to the eye as she echoed Torq’s sentiment in her own way.

The album came to a close with a magical moment of the whole room singing along to “Calendar Girl”, but just like last time, they were not done there. The band burst into the favourite, “Hold On When You Get Love And Let Go When You Give It” and dipped their toes into the rest of their discography. From the beautiful “Window Bird”, to the manic “Trap Door”, to “Dead Hearts” which was dedicated to all the ghosts in the room.

The set ended with the classic “Elevator Love Letter” and another huge singalong, but the crowd demanded more, and of course they were back to oblige. They came back to the stage with the intensity cranked for “Take Me To The Riot” before Amy introduced a deep cut they learned so Torquil could sing it to his wife, who was in the crowd, “The Aspidistra Flies”. And finally, they capped off the night with the pure dance tune “No One Is Lose” as a sea of hands shot up into the air when they commanded “Put your hands up if you know you're gonna lose”

As they were wrapping up the Set Yourself on Fire portion of the night, Torquil mentioned that they were incredibly thankful that “for reasons best kept between you and your therapist” this album had resonated with so many people over all these years. I’m very happy that I had the chance to see it played not once, but twice over the last few months. And even though they extended the album’s anniversary tour, the band isn’t resting on that; they’re as fierce as ever, and I can’t wait to hear what’s next.

setlist
Your Ex-Lover Is Dead
Set Yourself on Fire
Ageless Beauty
Reunion
The Big Fight
What I'm Trying to Say
One More Night
Sleep Tonight
The First Five Times
He Lied About Death
Celebration Guns
Soft Revolution
Calendar Girl
Hold On When You Get Love And Let Go When You Give It
Alone
Window Bird
Trap Door
Dead Hearts
Elevator Love Letter
(encore)
Take Me To The Riot
The Aspidistra Flies
No One Is Lost

PHOTOS: Dear Rouge with Gay Nineties @ Commodore Ballroom - April 10 2025

Dear Rouge with Gay Nineties
Commodore Ballroom
April 10 2025

Photos by Christine McAvoy

Dear Rouge with The Gay Nineties @ Commodore Ballroom -- April 10, 2025

Last year Dear Rouge released their fourth studio album, Lonesome High, and have finally returned to the Commodore Ballroom for a packed Vancouver show. And not only that, they brought some old friends along with them!

Opening the evening was the return of The Gay Nineties. The Vancouver band has been on hiatus for just a few years, but Parker Bossley, Bruce Ledingham, and Malcolm Holt were joined by Pascal Le Vasseur as they kicked off with a brand new song. And while they hit a couple older ones early, like the explosive “Hold Your Fire”, the bulk of the set was new material. Including an early standout for me, “Tidal Wave”, and a fun one called (and about) “Internet, Sex, and Drugs” which Parker teased might be their next single. They wrapped up with another old favourite, “Letterman”, which had everyone in the crowd that was ‘in the know’ singing along, proving they haven’t missed a beat. Their hook-filled indie rock was as sharp as ever*, and I’m very excited to hear more from them.
(*or as Christine put it: “The Nineties are back and they’re Gayer than ever!”)

After a break, the stage lights dimmed and a single figure stood on stage, as the rest of Dear Rouge joined Danielle McTaggart and launched into “Cutting Teeth”. Early on they addressed the recent passing of Drew McTaggart’s mother, asking everyone to remember someone that couldn’t be in the room, and dedicating “Stolen Days” to her.

The set had a great ebb and flow, building up the energy with the dark & moody “Black to Gold” and the raucous “Modern Shakedown” before exploding into “Meet Me at the Rio”, and then taking it back down with the acoustic “Live Through the Night” — which Drew introduced at the only song they’ve played at every single one of their shows. Danielle made a quick change into a sparkling, fringed jacked (with tambourine to match) and — after a false start to make sure someone in the crowd was safe — “Wicked Thing” started building back up, to the frenetic energy of “Tongues” and Danielle making a toast before showing off her moves with “Not Afraid to Dance”, segueing into a cover of the No Doubt classic “Hella Good”.

But it wasn’t just for that song; the whole night Danielle barely stood still. When she didn’t have a guitar in hand or behind the keys, she was strutting around the stage, and even into the audience. As “I Heard I Had” started, she grabbed a flashing light and jumped into the crowd, making her way from one side of the Ballroom to the other, singing to, at, & with everyone around her.

The band closed out the set with “Too Close to the Heat”, but were soon back for the encore. First Danielle returned alone, on the keys and behind a single light for the haunting “Lonesome High”. The rest of the band returned as they dedicated “Garbage” to anyone going through it, and capped off the night with their latest hit “Goon”.

Dear Rouge consistently puts on incredibly fun live shows, full of energy & spirit, and this night was no different. Add on the return of The Gay Nineties, and you have a fantastic night of Vancouver music.

Dear Rouge setlist
Cutting Teeth
Blow My Heart Up
Fake Fame
Stolen Days
Black to Gold
Wallpaper
Modern Shakedown
Meet Me at the Rio
Live Through the Night
Wicked Thing
The Show
Tongues
Not Afraid to Dance [ft Hella Good by No Doubt cover]
Selfish Love
I Heard I Had
Too Close to the Heat
(encore)
Lonesome High
Garbage
Goon

The Gay Nineties setlist
Treat Me Bad
Hold Your Fire
Turn Me On
Tidal Wave
Outside Looking In
Out of Touch
Okinawa
Empty Mansions
Internet, Sex, and Drugs
Letterman