Bran Van Electrio – Stripped-Down Grooves, Big Vibes
Vancouver’s trip back in time began with Bran Van Electrio, the three-piece incarnation of Bran Van 3000. While the stage looked emptier than longtime fans might expect, the sound was anything but. Their grooves rolled out smooth and unhurried, each beat pulling the crowd into a steady sway. Without the full chaos of a larger lineup, the trio leaned on deep bass lines and hypnotic rhythms, reminding the room just how effortlessly cool BV3’s catalog is. It wasn’t a warm-up act—it was a slow burn that primed the Orpheum for the neon chaos to come.
AQUA – A Neon Pop Fever Dream
The transformation hit the second AQUA launched into “Aquarius”—the Orpheum erupted, drenched in rhinestones, glitter, and day-glo neon as if the crowd had raided a 90’s time capsule. From the opening synths, it felt like the band wasn’t just revisiting their hits—they were reclaiming them with full theatrical force.
“Back to the 80’s” set the tone for a night of winks and nostalgia, the band strutting across the stage with playful self-awareness while the crowd danced like they were back at their first school disco. When they swung into “Doctor Jones”, the Orpheum turned into a giant singalong, with fans shouting every line as though the lyrics were hardwired into their DNA. The momentum didn’t let up with “My Oh My”, a glitter-soaked anthem that had the aisles bouncing like a candy-colored carnival ride.
Midway through, the mood shifted. As the opening notes of “Turn Back Time” rang out, the chaos melted into a tender glow. Lene’s vocals cut through with surprising fragility, pulling the crowd from manic nostalgia into a moment of real reflection. It was short-lived, though—René’s DJ set blasted the Orpheum back into party mode, transforming the theatre into a rave for a few minutes before the full band re-emerged.
The final stretch was pure pop mayhem. “Cartoon Heroes” crashed in like a Saturday morning fever dream, while “Lollipop (Candyman)” turned sugary excess into a full-room chant. And of course, when “Barbie Girl” arrived, the Orpheum practically shook under the weight of the crowd’s voice. Fans decked out in pink wigs and glittery overalls screamed every line, while the band leaned fully into the camp, smiling like they knew they were conducting a global inside joke.
By the time AQUA closed with “Roses Are Red”, the Orpheum was glowing—sweaty, glitter-smeared, and buzzing with the kind of joy only a night of unapologetically ridiculous pop can deliver.
Final Thoughts
Together, Bran Van Electrio’s hypnotic grooves and AQUA’s sugar-rush spectacle made for a night that was both cool and chaotic. The crowd didn’t just watch—they became part of the show, dressed head to toe in sequins, rhinestones, and nostalgia.
The 90’s weren’t just revisited at the Orpheum—they were resurrected in full technicolor glory.
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