Live music

Diana Krall surprises Byan Stovell and the whole audience by appearing at the all-star concert on Saturday, Sept. 16, at Nanaimo’s Port Theatre. (HA Photography photo)

Diana Krall shows up for surprise performance at Nanaimo jazz festival

Jazz superstar sings How Deep is the Ocean during ‘all-star’ concert at the Port Theatre on Sept. 16

 

Devin Bushey created a website called Record Shop, which generates personalized Spotify playlists with the top songs from artists playing in your area. (Courtesy Devin Bushey)

Island software developer creates tool to connect music fans with concerts

Devin Bushey combined his passion for music and software development to create Record Shop

 

George Canyon performs in Lake Cowichan a few years ago. Canyon is the musical headliner at this year’s Vancouver Island Exhibition at Nanaimo’s Beban Park. (Black Press Media file photo)

Country star George Canyon to headline Nanaimo’s VIEX

Vancouver Island Exhibition happens Aug. 25-27 at Beban Park

 

The Salmon Arm Roots and Blues Festival will go on despite smoky skies from nearby wildfires, the festival announced on Facebook Friday, Aug. 18, 2023. (Brendan Shykora - Black Press Media)

Show will go on: Salmon Arm ROOTSandBLUES proceeding as planned

Organizers say Salmon Arm ‘is not under any direct wildfire threat’

The Salmon Arm Roots and Blues Festival will go on despite smoky skies from nearby wildfires, the festival announced on Facebook Friday, Aug. 18, 2023. (Brendan Shykora - Black Press Media)
Laketown Ranch has announced that Keith Urban will be headlining Sunfest 2024. Early bird tickets will go on sale on Aug. 22 at 9 a.m. (Courtesy of Sunfest)

Keith Urban sure to be red-hot attraction for Sunfest 2024

First tier early bird tickets available to purchase Aug. 22 at 9 a.m.

Laketown Ranch has announced that Keith Urban will be headlining Sunfest 2024. Early bird tickets will go on sale on Aug. 22 at 9 a.m. (Courtesy of Sunfest)
Laketown Shaketown has announced that Gwen Stefani will be the headliner for their 2024 music festival which will take place from June 28 to June 30. Tickets go on sale Aug. 29 at 9 a.m. (Courtesy of Laketown Shakedown)

Gwen Stefani announced as headliner for Laketown Shakedown 2024

First tier tickets will be available to purchase on Aug. 29 at 9 a.m.

Laketown Shaketown has announced that Gwen Stefani will be the headliner for their 2024 music festival which will take place from June 28 to June 30. Tickets go on sale Aug. 29 at 9 a.m. (Courtesy of Laketown Shakedown)
Nanaimo’s Port Theatre announced 16 shows for their upcoming Spotlight series, starting Sept. 24. (Submitted images)

Nanaimo’s Port Theatre announces 16 shows for returning Spotlight series

Season features variety of cultural and artistic works starting in the fall

Nanaimo’s Port Theatre announced 16 shows for their upcoming Spotlight series, starting Sept. 24. (Submitted images)
The Hilo Hawaiian Steel Guitar style 695 serial # 3032, in its original shape, as seen at the Courtenay Value Village. Photo supplied

The intriguing journey of Courtenay’s thrifted century-old guitar

Hilo Hawaiian steel guitar travelled thousands of kilometres to finally get to Comox Valley

The Hilo Hawaiian Steel Guitar style 695 serial # 3032, in its original shape, as seen at the Courtenay Value Village. Photo supplied
Cumberland Wild has a diverse group of fans. JOFFREYPHOTO.COM

Ruffling feathers: Island hiphop festival revels in its reputation

Cumberland Wild wants to push boundaries, artists who don’t fall into mainstream stereotypes

Cumberland Wild has a diverse group of fans. JOFFREYPHOTO.COM
Canadian pop star Justin Bieber performs at a concert marking the end of Formula One, in Jidda, Saudi Arabia, Sunday, Dec. 5, 2021. How did he get his start in music? (THE CANADIAN PRESS/AP-Amr Nabil)

QUIZ: Are you ready for some sounds of summer?

Music festivals and outdoor concerts abound at this time of the year

Canadian pop star Justin Bieber performs at a concert marking the end of Formula One, in Jidda, Saudi Arabia, Sunday, Dec. 5, 2021. How did he get his start in music? (THE CANADIAN PRESS/AP-Amr Nabil)
Aqua was one of the headline acts at Laketown Shakedown in Youbou on the Canada Day long weekend, 2023. (Rob Porter/RMS Media photo)

Laketown Shakedown turns it up on Canada Day weekend

Music lovers of all genres, travelled from all over to take in the jam packed annual music festival

Aqua was one of the headline acts at Laketown Shakedown in Youbou on the Canada Day long weekend, 2023. (Rob Porter/RMS Media photo)
This cover image released by Republic Records shows "Speak Now (Taylor’s Version)" by Taylor Swift. (Republic Records via AP)

‘Speak Now (Taylor’s Version)’ is here. Here’s how to reconsider Taylor Swift’s transformative album

Her 2006 self-titled debut and 2008’s “Fearless” had inspired both acclaim and…

This cover image released by Republic Records shows "Speak Now (Taylor’s Version)" by Taylor Swift. (Republic Records via AP)
The Hilo Hawaiian Steel Guitar style 695 serial # 3032, in its original shape, as seen at the Courtenay Value Village. Photo supplied

Century-old guitar found at Courtenay thrift store set to make its musical comeback

The path from the discovery of a vintage, 100-year-old guitar in the…

  • Jul 7, 2023
The Hilo Hawaiian Steel Guitar style 695 serial # 3032, in its original shape, as seen at the Courtenay Value Village. Photo supplied
The surviving members of Big Rock include (left to right) Steve Hillis, Dave Devendisch, and drummer Clayton Hill. Photo from Dave Devendisch.

Vancouver Island band Big Rock releases album nearly decade after singer dies

“After all this time” features voice of lead singer Hugh McGregor, who passed away in 2014

The surviving members of Big Rock include (left to right) Steve Hillis, Dave Devendisch, and drummer Clayton Hill. Photo from Dave Devendisch.
Marian van der Zon, under the stage name Of the Sun, is hosting a CD release party for her debut solo album ‘Still Rising,’ which was created over years of rehabilitation from injuries she sustained from a 2013 vehicle collision. (Submitted photo)

Island folk artist rises from injury that robbed her ability to enjoy music

Yellow Point’s Marian van der Zon’s ‘Still Rising’ focuses on themes of rehabilitation

Marian van der Zon, under the stage name Of the Sun, is hosting a CD release party for her debut solo album ‘Still Rising,’ which was created over years of rehabilitation from injuries she sustained from a 2013 vehicle collision. (Submitted photo)
Platinum-selling Halifax-founded rock band April Wine performs at Nanaimo’s Port Theatre on June 15. (Submitted photo)

Iconic Canadian rock band April Wine uncorked this week in Nanaimo

The group will perform at the Port Theatre on June 15

Platinum-selling Halifax-founded rock band April Wine performs at Nanaimo’s Port Theatre on June 15. (Submitted photo)
Trevor Price, left, Bob Wilson and Andrew MacMillan during rehearsal on Tuesday, May 23, for the trio’s upcoming tribute show ‘Sundown: A Gordon Lightfoot Experience’ at the Royal Canadian Legion Mount Benson Branch 256 on June 3. (Mandy Moraes/News Bulletin)

Musicians honour legendary singer-songwriter Gordon Lightfoot in Nanaimo tribute show

‘Sundown: A Gordon Lightfoot Experience’ happens June 3 in Nanaimo

Trevor Price, left, Bob Wilson and Andrew MacMillan during rehearsal on Tuesday, May 23, for the trio’s upcoming tribute show ‘Sundown: A Gordon Lightfoot Experience’ at the Royal Canadian Legion Mount Benson Branch 256 on June 3. (Mandy Moraes/News Bulletin)
Arnold Arthur, pictured with his dog Arco, will be the guest conductor for Vancouver Island Symphony’s season finale Proms Island Style concert, showing at the Port Theatre on April 29. (Submitted photo)

Vancouver Island Symphony presents Proms Island Style as season finale

Guest conductor Arnold Arthur will lead Nanaimo’s Port Theatre performance April 29

Arnold Arthur, pictured with his dog Arco, will be the guest conductor for Vancouver Island Symphony’s season finale Proms Island Style concert, showing at the Port Theatre on April 29. (Submitted photo)
(Bass Coast/Black Press file photo)

French DJ Clozee to headline Bass Coast in Merritt

Lineup announced for annual music fest

(Bass Coast/Black Press file photo)
The Pink Mountaintops, led by Stephen McBean, are headlining a show at the Queen’s on April 13. (Photo submitted)

Pink Mountaintops and others to play psychedelic rock in Nanaimo

‘Rock ‘n’ roll mystic’ Stephen McBean and his band headline April 13 show

The Pink Mountaintops, led by Stephen McBean, are headlining a show at the Queen’s on April 13. (Photo submitted)