the story behind the numbers
Love live music, but I have to get up for work
In Response to the CBC Radio piece referenced in local Facebook group
Almost all of us have to get up for work 5 days a week. The majority of us have to get up early, so that suggests we should probably hit the sack early too. In many if not most cities, that presents a problem for live music venues and fans alike. However, among the many
ways in which we are blessed by being situated in the Okanagan Valley is an almost embarassingly large number of outdoor venues that host music during the day.
Our mostly warm and sunny summers have resulted in a great many wineries and, more recently, craft breweries and cideries, springing up and becoming places to catch live music on a regular basis. Wineries alone hosted more than 300 shows this year, and craft breweries and cideries
almost another 300. That's 600 daytime and outdoor opportunities to catch live music in casual and beautiful settings. The vast majority of those shows started at or before 6:00.
The figure of 70.96% of shows translates to over 700 performances that started by 6:00 at the latest, and probably ended by 8:00. Plenty of time to make it home, chill for a bit, and ease your way into dream land with recollections of special musical moments still lingering
in your head and warming your soul.
It's not fun packing up your gear at 1:00 am
This one's kind of tricky. Musicians have often been groomed from an early age for night time performances. There is something of an allure that remains around hitting the stage at 9:00 or later and playing into the night. Most musicians we have spoken to, though, tell us
that all of that allure counts for nothing when it's time to start tearing down equipment and packing it up and loading it into whatever set of wheels you got there in. And then there's the drive home. And then there's unloading the gear and putting it away. Ugh.
Virtually all local musicians here in town have to hold down some kind of day job to allow them to do the music thing whenever they do get a gig. Fortunately, as stated above, so many of their live performances here in Kelowna do start earlier and end earlier.
Other benefits of these spaces
Yes, safe, nearby parking is an issue for a lot of people
Most of the wineries that are hosting live music have enormous on-site parking lots. That means a lot to a wide range of people.
Lack of nearby and safe parking was one of the most commonly stated reasons in a recent study for not attending more live music events here in town. I get that. The mere thought of having to walk a block or more on poorly lit streets just to get to a venue, especially later into
the evening, could easily be enough to keep many people home. Certainly the ample parking available at virtually all the wineries and most of the craft breweries can go a long way to alleviating those fears.
The data and its source
The percentages and numbers stated throughout this article are directly from our own custom designed and built data source. We have tracked and listed over 1,000 live music events in and around Kelowna this year.
reviews from early shows
Some examples of great daytime performances
Andrew Judah at Red Bird Brewing
Red Bird usually starts its Saturday shows at 3:30, with a second artist starting at 4:30. The audience is perhaps a little younger and the music a little louder than other venues, but they do have a loyal following and lots of local musicians hang out there.
3:30 Show on Saturday, August 1, 2021
Read Review
Melissa Livingstone at Barn Owl Brewing
Bar Owl starts its Sunday shows at 2:00, whether they're outside or up in the loft. This craft brewery has created itself as a very family freindly venue with long tables, comfy chairs in the corners, and cupboards full of games.
2:00 Show on Sunday, June 27, 2021
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Niki Martinus at Forbidden Spirits
Forbidden has slotted its Friday and Saturday events to usually start at 6:00, and their Soulful Sunday shows start at 4:00. Outdoors, big patio, lots of lawn....
4:30 Show on Friday, October 8, 2021
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Nevaeh Dyson at The Vibrant Vine
The Vibrant Vine welcomes patrons to their outdoor stage and huge lawn on both Saturdays and Sundays at 2:00 pm. Very casual setting, with shows over by 5:00 at the latest.
2:00 Show on Saturday, September 4, 2021
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