LIVE: AQUA – Winnipeg, MB, CAN – September 16, 2025

Venue: Burton Cummings Theatre

City: Winnipeg, MB, Canada

Date: September 16, 2025

Review and Photographs by: Alejandro Penner (https://www.alejandropenner.ca/)

I can’t believe I’m saying this, but… I GOT TO SEE AQUA LIVE. Honestly, that’s something I never thought I’d write. Not because I don’t love them (I absolutely do), but because I thought the window to see them had closed a long time ago. Turns out, nope — and I’m so glad I got to experience this little slice of the late ’90s all over again. Aqua is currently on their Canada 2025 tour, and I caught them in Winnipeg at the Burton Cummings Theatre. Talk about a Millennial’s dream night out. Before Aqua even hit the stage, Kiesza came out to open the show. You probably remember her 2014 hit “Hideaway” — and let me tell you, she still knows how to get a crowd moving. Within a few songs, people were already up dancing, and that vibe carried through the entire night.

Then Aqua came out, and here’s the first surprise: they didn’t start with a banger. Instead, they opened with “Aquarius,” a ballad from their 2000 album. It was just Søren on keys under a single spotlight until Lene stepped out to join him. It felt kind of magical — almost cinematic. Not the explosive start I was expecting, but it worked, because the second the rest of the band walked onstage and they kicked into “Back to the 80s,” the energy flipped, and the place lit up. The stage production was super fun too. There were rows of ground spotlights and this massive screen that stretched across the Burt’s entire stage, flashing visuals to match each song. The whole band was set up on a raised platform behind Søren’s keyboards, with the drummer, guitarist, bassist, and backup singer rounding it out. From there it was just one hit after another. “Around the World,” “My Oh My,” “Good Morning Sunshine,” “Happy Boys & Girls” — basically the soundtrack of every late ’90s sleepover or school dance. They even threw in “Turn Back Time” for the emotional break before ramping it right back up with the mega-hits: “Doctor Jones,” “Barbie Girl,” and “Lollipop (Candyman).” Honestly, the setlist felt like a greatest hits playlist come to life. But what really made it special was how good they still sound together. Lene’s voice was as bright and clear as ever, and René’s deep, gravelly rap just cuts through in the best way. The two of them bouncing off each other is what makes Aqua… well, Aqua. By the end of the night, the whole theatre was filled with nothing but good vibes and dancing. For me, it was more than just a concert — it was a flashback to being 11 years old in Mexico, hearing Aqua for the first time and never imagining I’d actually see them live almost three decades later. If you’re even a casual fan of dance music — or just want to spend a night smiling and moving — this tour is 100% worth it. Aqua brings fun, nostalgia, and energy. I left grinning ear to ear, and honestly, I’d do it all again in a heartbeat.

[Show as slideshow]

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Category: Live Reviews, Photo Galleries