While roaming the streets of Toronto last week, I found myself outside Toronto Eaton Centre and looking up at their giant billboard. Spotify’s New Music Friday splashed onto the board and Lights was front and center with her newest release, A6. After I shared a photo of the billboard on my Instagram story, a friend reached out to me and shared with me how her partner has been following the Timmins, Ontario singer since 2012. What’s the catch? He’s from Indiana. For the last 6 albums, Lights has been creating a strong and dedicated fanbase from all parts of the world and on May 8th, 2025, that fanbase flooded into Victoria’s Capital Ballroom for her sold-out show with supporting act, KiNG MALA. This show kicked off her (A)LIVE AGAIN tour which is 19 dates throughout Canada and the United States, in support of her new album.
El Paso’s KiNG MALA started the night off with this intricate performance. With only two members in this group, the duo played some fantastic Alternative Pop music. The crowd enjoyed KiNG MALA’s sound and while I did too, my eyes were locked onto the drummer. You see, the drummer might’ve been the busiest person of the whole set. Running from the drumkit, to playing guitar, to even having moments with the singer, and back to the drumkit again. It was a very technical set which if one piece was out of sync, it could’ve influenced the flow of the rest of the set. That was not the case for this show, because the two sounded like clockwork and made it seem so seamless. It’s safe to say that KiNG MALA was a very strong addition to this tour and we hope this isn’t the last we see of them in Victoria.
As each member of Lights’ band made it onto the stage, the crowd grew louder and louder. Once it was Light’s turn to stand on stage, you could feel the floor vibrate. This is what artists dream of, and Lights had it right in front of her. After playing a few songs, she spoke to the crowd and reminisced about her journey to this moment right now and her new album. She humbly shared that she couldn’t have made it to album six without her fans support, which was replied with more cheers from the crowd. Lights set featured music from across her discography, and she even mentioned that it was difficult choosing what songs to play since there is so much to choose from. It did not seem to not matter too much to the crowd as everyone knew every lyric to every song, even from her new album. Lights set also featured solo moments which further showed off her abilities. Lights really went all out for Victoria and I think it’s safe to say that this set was a great start for her tour.
It’s so fascinating to see artists with such dedicated fanbases. In a way it’s like a small community and the fact that someone’s music can create groups like these, it really is a beautiful sight. While the venue powers down and lights continues her tour with KiNG MALA, I know that her Victoria fans are already anticipating her return in the future. Until then, A6 should definitely find its way onto your new music playlist.
