Anybody looking for some fresh live music doesn't have to wander too far to find it.
An art gallery may not be the first place people look to find new musicians, but the Estevan Art Gallery and Museum has been welcoming up-and-coming acts from around the province for a year now and is looking to expand on its platform. Not only is the gallery teaming up with Eddie's lounge next door, but they are also looking to offer a new act each month as part of their After Dark/After Hours Concert Series.
The After Hours portion of the series is the newly introduced second half, premiering this Saturday, that allows for musicians to show music lovers two sides of their sound. After playing an acoustic set in the art gallery, they get to head over to Eddie's and get a little louder in the new setting.
After Dark/After Hours showcases some very talented musicians from all over Saskatchewan, and I certainly love live music. I don't need to be a fan of a band to enjoy them live. That makes these live performances a great way to be introduced to new music. It's always best to experience these acts in person.
I remember doing a story on the first After Dark concert, when Regina band Whiskey Manner came to town. The very next night Hedley, performed what is probably the biggest musical event Spectra Place has hosted in its infancy.
It was a nice juxtaposition of the possibilities Estevan has for its musical venues.
Whiskey Manner came in and played an incredibly lively set to a crowd that filled the art gallery's main room nicely. The next day, a nearly sold out Spectra Place hosted the popular acts of Hedley, Classified and others.
It was a perfect example of what we could expect from live music in the city's future.
I thought Whiskey Manner was a great band, and I feel anyone who missed them really was missing out.
But even as someone who doesn't listen to Hedley, I was impressed by their performance. Music aside, the band puts on a good show, and that's something I can appreciate.
It isn't always a very big crowd that comes out for the After Dark performances, but as somebody who has attended most of them, I can say they are definitely worth it. It's not just about supporting some small and local acts, but it's genuinely good music.
These musicians aren't going to be headlining arena shows anytime soon, but the gallery brings in some very talented and technically sound artists. Estevan isn't yet the hotspot in the province for all the biggest touring acts. I don't expect any of my favourite bands will stop here. I don't even expect them to make a stop as close as Regina, but that doesn't mean there isn't plenty of music to find in the city.
It's an overused cliché that many people take for granted or think of local musicians or other creators as subpar. I think those who have yet to attend a concert at the art gallery would be surprised at the quality of musicianship that plays in the hall.
They aren't really musicians I recognize, but the spirit of live music is something that's difficult to ignore.
