NOTE: All photos are copyright of Howard Shiau Photography 2025
Having covered Aurora (aka Aurora Aksnes) since she was 18, the prolific singer/songwriter/activist from Norway continues to amaze us as she evolves and transforms with every record. Her latest studio album, “What Happened to the Heart?” is no different, asking the world why caring and empathy have become anathema to so many and selfishness and capitalism seem to be dominating globally. Some songs are slow and sad while others are boisterous, almost shouting at the listener. At the very least, Aurora’s fans are hearing the message, resulting in sold out shows everywhere she goes including this night’s stop at History in Toronto.
Prior to the show, there was a fan event at Dine Alone Store near the venue, complete with a screening of Aurora x Sky in-game concert and some limited merchandise. An Aurora themed video game? Maybe we can save the Earth together in the game!
The opener this evening was Irish singer/rapper Biig Piig (aka Jessica Smyth). Bouncing around the stage in her knee high socks, she totally gave me a Bishop Briggs vibe with her non-stop energy. Supported by just a drummer and a bassist/keyboardist/saxophonist, she blew through a lively set of eminently danceable songs, some from her upcoming debut album coming out on February 7th. Interestingly, besides English, she also sang in Spanish. I’ll need to do some research on her background to see how that came to be. Biig Piig was an interesting choice to open for Aurora since her set was very dance oriented and set a nightclub mood in the venue which isn’t really what Aurora’s music is about. Nevertheless, it was a fun set and while some politely waited for their favorite performer, others danced and had a great time.
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Aurora took the neon lit stage, colored just like her last tour but rather than being hidden in shadow, she was bathed in light. This was interesting change since the latest record feels darker. She kicked off the show with “Churchyard” from “Infections of a Different Kind”. The enraptured faces at the barricade told the whole story. Dancing around the stage, she has truly transformed from the young fairy she once was to the “goddess we can touch”, a confident performer dominating the stage but still with her sweet disposition. She then sang an a cappella version of “Through the Eyes of a Child”, a rendition so beautiful, it brought tears to the eyes (literally there were people crying). Plus the harmony accompaniment of Amalie Holt Kleive and Thea Wang were amazing!
The stage setup was mostly sparse compared to previous tours but the video screen behind Aurora provided everything she needed. The visuals were amazing, especially when they showed her dancing with trailing light almost as if she were in slow motion. Besides, what could be better than Aurora on stage except for a giant Aurora behind her!
In between songs, Aurora talked a bit about how her tour of the United States felt a bit sad because the fans were unhappy about the state of things since the election and how the feeling coming up to Canada was very different, very positive. Somehow the conversation diverted to squirrels and how she and her squirrel were close…sexually, and that he was her first. How can you not love the random stuff that comes out of the mouth of this magical creature?
Another acoustic version of a song was tonight’s performance of “Conflict of the Mind”. She said that the song was inspired by silence when so much more needs to be said. She wrote this song in hopes that people will talk to each other before things are too late. Everything is mendable.
She did also perform “Exist for Love”, my favorite song from “The Gods We Can Touch”, although the background singers were probably a bit loud, almost dominating the harmonies rather than supporting Aurora’s vocals. Oddly, the sound levels for the following song “The Dark Dresses Lightly” were perfect!
It’s hard to pick standout tracks from her set but “Starvation” may be it. The studio version is already such a powerful song but the live version just blows you out of the water. Aurora completely takes over the stage, dancing with wild abandon to smoke and strobe lights! She was so intense that she was out of breath for much of the next song ”Giving in to the Love”!! That’s saying something coming from a singer that has the most incredible vocal control in all aspects: tone, breath, and volume. As she sang, she danced all around the stage, reaching out to various parts of the audience in acknowledgement of their presence.
During the last song of the encore, Aurora had to restart “Invisible Wounds” three times. it seems she has a tendency to laugh when something is sad. It was an amazing way to end an amazing night. I’m sure everyone wished the set was longer since there were personal favorites she didn’t get a chance to sing. I was just happy that she came across the pond in 2024 and look forward to new music in 2025, the prolific artist that she is. As I’ve previously noted at Aurora shows, she’s such an amazing person that she can’t but put a smile on everyone’s faces. For those who are sad during the holiday season, Aurora is the magic that can bring joy to the end of the year.
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