RECAP: VOLBEAT + THREE DAYS GRACE KICK OFF CANADIAN TOUR IN VANCOUVER

As fans poured into Rogers Arena on Saturday night, downtown Vancouver, BC was alive. Next door, BC Place was hosting the Lions’ season opener with a pre-game concert featuring Snoop Dogg. But inside Rogers Arena, another kind of chaos was brewing — one that belonged entirely to the guitars, growls, and pounding drums of Three Days Grace and Volbeat.

Photos by Tage Stenner / Backspin Canada

Billed as "2 bands, 2 countries, 1 epic night," this co-headlining tour brought together two rock powerhouses - one Canadian, one Danish - for an all-out assault on the senses. And this was only stop one of the 10-date Canadian leg, which will continue on through Calgary, Edmonton, Saskatoon, Winnipeg, Laval, Quebec City, Toronto, London, and wrap in Ottawa.

Kicking off the night was Florida’s Wage War, who didn’t waste any time making an impression. From the first blast of "NAIL5" through to "Manic," their set was heavy, aggressive, and soaked in smoke from stage cannons. While their sound veers more toward hardcore metal than the other acts, the crowd was more than ready for it. There were mosh pits forming before the first breakdown even hit.

Next up was the legends themselves - Three Days Grace. Backed by both current vocalist Matt Walst and original frontman Adam Gontier, this rare joint performance was electric. The crowd, clearly filled with die-hard fans, erupted into chants of “Three Days Grace!” after nearly every song. It felt like a hometown show, even though this was just their 12th Vancouver appearance, and the first since November 2022.

They tore through hit after hit: “Animal I Have Become,” “So Called Life,” “Break,” “I Hate Everything About You,” and even the live debut of “Apologies.” When they closed with “Riot,” the floor of Rogers Arena shook with thousands of fists in the air.

Then came Volbeat - and with them, a curtain. A massive one. Backlit with dramatic red, blue, and purple lights, the giant stage cover displayed a masked figure with glowing eyes and the word VOLBEAT stretched across the top. It was theatrical, eerie, and perfectly set the tone. The second it dropped, the band launched into “Seal the Deal,” setting off a full-throttle, 17-song sprint that included several live debuts.

Frontman Michael Poulsen had the crowd from the first note. Between "The Devil’s Bleeding Crown," the Johnny Cash-inspired "Sad Man’s Tongue," and fan-favourite "Still Counting," Volbeat reminded everyone why they’re one of the tightest live bands on the road today. Their mix of rockabilly, metal, and punk hit all the right notes, especially for longtime fans who remembered their last Fraser Valley appearance in Abbotsford back in 2023.

And while the music was undeniably loud, what stood out was the sheer diversity of the audience. You had dads in Metallica shirts with their teenagers, longtime fans in Volbeat jackets, and first-timers grinning wide-eyed at the sheer volume of it all. A loud, sweaty, unforgettable night.

The “2 bands, 2 countries, 1 epic night” tagline delivered exactly what it promised. And if night one in Vancouver is any indication, Canadian fans are in for a wild ride.

Remaining Tour Dates:

June 9, 2025 – Calgary, AB – Scotiabank Saddledome

June 10, 2025 – Edmonton, AB – Rogers Place

June 12, 2025 – Saskatoon, SK – SaskTel Centre

June 13, 2025 – Winnipeg, MB – Canada Life Centre

June 16, 2025 – Laval, QC – Place Bell

June 17, 2025 – Quebec City, QC – Videotron Centre

June 19, 2025 – Toronto ON – Budweiser Stage

June 21, 2025 – London, ON – Canada Life Place

June 22, 2025 – Ottawa, ON – Canadian Tire Centre

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