Live music

Sean O’Loughlin, conductor with Victoria Symphony, said hearing the musical scores of epic movies as a child planted a seed for him to become a conductor. (Kevin Light Photography)

Journey to a galaxy far, far away with Victoria show

Victoria Symphony transports audience to another world with STAR TREK, STAR WARS, AND BEYOND

 

Flamenco-inspired international group Qairo performs Thursday, Sept. 21 at Hermann’s Upstairs. (Courtesy Qairo)

Global musicians, dancers of Qairo ignite stage with flamenco spectacle

The fiery ensemble’s eclectic members bring a new take to live global music with dynamic rhythm and dance

 

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)

Victoria software developer creates tool to get music fans out to concerts

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

 

West Coast Chicago pictured playing at Vancouver Art Gallery on Canada Day. (Courtesy West Coast Chicago)

West Coast Chicago will take you back in time and leave you smiling

Chicago tribute band will appear at Mary Winspear Centre on Sept. 16

  • Aug 9, 2023
West Coast Chicago pictured playing at Vancouver Art Gallery on Canada Day. (Courtesy West Coast Chicago)
Local disco band Tight Hair plays Hermann’s Upstairs on Aug. 5. (From back row left to right: Eric Hughes, Dave McCargar, Evert Pater, Ian Olsen, Dave Flello. Front row left to right: Katherine Beckett, Jody Dick, Hilary Beckett). (Tim Collins)

Break out the sequins and leisure suits

Tight Hair presents a night of disco fun

  • Jul 31, 2023
Local disco band Tight Hair plays Hermann’s Upstairs on Aug. 5. (From back row left to right: Eric Hughes, Dave McCargar, Evert Pater, Ian Olsen, Dave Flello. Front row left to right: Katherine Beckett, Jody Dick, Hilary Beckett). (Tim Collins)
Phillips Backyard music festival, packed with music, craft beer and food trucks, takes place in the lot of the brewery on 2010 Government St. in Victoria, B.C. (Courtesy Phillips Backyard)

Phillips Backyard Reverb returns: Peach Pit, Jesse Roper, Fleet Foxes and more

Vancouver-based Peach Pit who went viral in 2017 bring their creative antics and cowboy duck walk to Reverb Aug. 12, along with other big names

Phillips Backyard music festival, packed with music, craft beer and food trucks, takes place in the lot of the brewery on 2010 Government St. in Victoria, B.C. (Courtesy Phillips Backyard)
Neil Smith, lead singer of Peach Pit, said their next album will have a new sound and be a heavier-hitting rock record that’s just fun to play live. (Courtesy Peach Pit)

Interview: Peach Pit

Peach Pit on being quirky, perfecting their sound, and why their upcoming record will be all about the live show

Neil Smith, lead singer of Peach Pit, said their next album will have a new sound and be a heavier-hitting rock record that’s just fun to play live. (Courtesy Peach Pit)
Ziggy Alberts, an Australian singer-songwriter who has established himself as one of Australia’s leading independent artists, performs at Capital Ballroom July 26 & 27. (Janneke Storm)

Ziggy Alberts draws inspiration from Sunshine Coast

Alberts brings the spirit of the wildnerness to Victoria with his new album DANCING IN THE DARK

  • Jul 19, 2023
Ziggy Alberts, an Australian singer-songwriter who has established himself as one of Australia’s leading independent artists, performs at Capital Ballroom July 26 & 27. (Janneke Storm)
Hexennacht was chosen as the name of the festival because it is both reclaims the term ‘witch’ and the message of creativity associated with rebirth, according to festival organizers. (Courtesy Cabaret Voltaire Society website)

Hexennacht, a music festival with roots in Eastern European folklore, showcases the magic of feminine energy — cisgendered and otherwise

Femme musicians are celebrated at Victoria’s Hexennacht Festival, based on Western European folk traditions

  • Jul 10, 2023
Hexennacht was chosen as the name of the festival because it is both reclaims the term ‘witch’ and the message of creativity associated with rebirth, according to festival organizers. (Courtesy Cabaret Voltaire Society website)
Pianist-comedienne Sarah Hagen one of many performers at this year’s Summer Recital Series. (Courtesy Sarah Hagen Facebook)

Christ Church Cathedral brings free summer concerts to Victoria

Summer Recital Series returns July 27 - Aug. 5 with by-donation concerts

  • Jun 29, 2023
Pianist-comedienne Sarah Hagen one of many performers at this year’s Summer Recital Series. (Courtesy Sarah Hagen Facebook)
Mo Moshiri is appearing as a solo headliner at Ska and Reggae Festival for the first time in 2023. (Zenon Kai)

The rhythm of the human heart

Victoria’s Ska and Reggae Festival June 21-25 a cause for celebration

  • Jun 7, 2023
Mo Moshiri is appearing as a solo headliner at Ska and Reggae Festival for the first time in 2023. (Zenon Kai)
Victoria JazzFest 2023 will take place at venues across the city, including free performances at Bullen Park, and ticketed performances at Hermann’s Jazz Club, McPherson Playhouse, Tom Lee Music, and more. (Victoria Jazz Society)

Here’s some upcoming highlights of 2023 JazzFest in Victoria

In its 40th year, JazzFest has headliners Snarky Puppy, Molly Johnson, Sona Jobarteh, Chris Botti, and BADBADNOTGOOD

  • May 31, 2023
Victoria JazzFest 2023 will take place at venues across the city, including free performances at Bullen Park, and ticketed performances at Hermann’s Jazz Club, McPherson Playhouse, Tom Lee Music, and more. (Victoria Jazz Society)
Rich Aucoin is an indie alt-pop and electronic musician based in Halifax. He is the winner of SiriusXM Indie Awards’ Emerging Artist of the Year Award, Eastern Canadian Music Awards and is known for his crowd-karaoke multimedia live shows. (Riley Smith photo)

Rich Aucoin lighting up Lucky Bar with sea of confetti and crowd karaoke June 2

Direct from his Japan and South Korea tour, Rich Aucoin brings the Is This Real Life Tour to the West Coast

  • May 30, 2023
Rich Aucoin is an indie alt-pop and electronic musician based in Halifax. He is the winner of SiriusXM Indie Awards’ Emerging Artist of the Year Award, Eastern Canadian Music Awards and is known for his crowd-karaoke multimedia live shows. (Riley Smith photo)
Toronto-based East African singer-songwriter Witch Prophet creates a soundscape of vocal layers, loops, raps, and harmonies on a bed of hip-hop, jazz, and soul-inspired beats produced by her wife and business partner, SUN SUN. She will be performing Tuesday, June 27 at Victoria Event Centre as part of JazzFest 2023. (Francesca Nocera)

‘Ethereal, mystical’ Witch Prophet a standout act at JazzFest 2023

The Kenyan-born artist’s music explores lived experiences as an East African, queer, and a mother

  • May 30, 2023
Toronto-based East African singer-songwriter Witch Prophet creates a soundscape of vocal layers, loops, raps, and harmonies on a bed of hip-hop, jazz, and soul-inspired beats produced by her wife and business partner, SUN SUN. She will be performing Tuesday, June 27 at Victoria Event Centre as part of JazzFest 2023. (Francesca Nocera)
Daniel Romano. (image supplied)

Daniel Romano gears up for Victoria showcase of unique genre of music

Ontario musician, poet & visual artist plays the Capital Ballroom on June 16

  • May 19, 2023
Daniel Romano. (image supplied)
Pierre Schryer and Adam Dobres are a Vancouver Island-based folk duo who have won awards and nominations from the JUNOS, Canadian Folk Music Awards, Western Canadian Music Awards and Grammy Awards. They been playing together since 2008 and will play together at the Folk ‘N Fiddle Festival in June. (image supplied)

Folk ‘n Fiddle Festival Q & A: Pierre Schryer & Adam Dobres speak to the revival of traditional folk music

The award-winning Canadian folk duo play the Seaside Folk ‘n Fiddle Festival in Sidney, June 9-11

  • May 18, 2023
Pierre Schryer and Adam Dobres are a Vancouver Island-based folk duo who have won awards and nominations from the JUNOS, Canadian Folk Music Awards, Western Canadian Music Awards and Grammy Awards. They been playing together since 2008 and will play together at the Folk ‘N Fiddle Festival in June. (image supplied)
Canadian music legend Burton Cummings will perform at the Royal Theatre on May 28. (image supplied)

Burton Cummings brings his legendary voice to the Royal Theatre May 28

The Guess Who frontman returns for his first local performance in four years

  • May 14, 2023
Canadian music legend Burton Cummings will perform at the Royal Theatre on May 28. (image supplied)
David Arkenstone (image supplied)

Genius behind the curtain

David Arkenstone’s music has been the backdrop for more than you know

  • May 13, 2023
David Arkenstone (image supplied)
South-African artist Alice Phoebe Lou discusses avoiding record labels, starting off as a street musician in Berlin, and how a risk paid off. (Andrea Rojas)

Q&A with Alice Phoebe Lou, playing Capital Ballroom May 16

How marching to the beat of her own drum brought global success

South-African artist Alice Phoebe Lou discusses avoiding record labels, starting off as a street musician in Berlin, and how a risk paid off. (Andrea Rojas)
Smokestacks members Owen Pollock, Bryden Amos, Ella Slaughter, Ethan Ramirez, Holly Peterson, Daniel Froese at the Sunday Services Blues Jam at Hermann’s Upstairs. (Charlie Fox)

A Blues Revival

How a group of young talent in Victoria are heating up the local blues scene

Smokestacks members Owen Pollock, Bryden Amos, Ella Slaughter, Ethan Ramirez, Holly Peterson, Daniel Froese at the Sunday Services Blues Jam at Hermann’s Upstairs. (Charlie Fox)