Last week Taylor Swift announced her Eras Tour is coming to Vancouver for three shows in December 2024. While dedicated Swifties strategize how to snag a ticket (we heard hotels are already fully booked for the dates!), it has also prompted a lively discussion about the need to support our own local artists. What if each person who buys a ticket to Taylor Swift also went to one local concert a year? That would be at least $2 million directly supporting local artists, venues and businesses. Imagine the economic impact that could have on our music scene!
At Coastal Jazz, our mission has always been to increase the appreciation of music and strengthen the arts community through our endeavours. To us, these go hand in hand. Supporting Vancouver’s local music has a multitude of benefits, both for our community and the music industry as a whole. We’ve put together a list of compelling reasons why supporting local music matters.
Fostering a Vibrant Music Scene
Supporting local musicians helps nurture a thriving music scene in our community. A healthy local music scene can attract talent, create opportunities for emerging artists, and contribute to the cultural richness of the area.
Diversity and Uniqueness
Vancouver is home to people from all over the world. Local music scenes often feature a diverse range of genres and unique sounds. By supporting local musicians, you can discover new and innovative music that you might not encounter in mainstream channels. This diversity can enrich your musical experience and expand your musical horizons.
Economic Impact
When you support local music, it’s not just the work of the musicians you’re supporting – it’s the venue staff, promoters, and other industry professionals involved in the show. That kind of trickle down generates economic activity in your area. This can have a positive impact on the local economy.
Community Building
Canadians who regularly attend live music are almost twice as likely to have stronger sense of belonging to their city or town compared to those who don’t attend. Canadians who rate arts, culture and leisure in their community as “excellent” are nearly three times more likely to report a “very strong” sense of belonging to their city or town. (Community Foundations of Canada and CAPACOA, Vital Signs: Arts and Belonging, 2017)
Nurturing Emerging Talent
Many successful musicians started their careers by performing at local venues and receiving support from their local communities. By supporting local musicians, you play a role in helping emerging talent grow and develop their skills. Maybe you’ll even be able to say you heard the next Taylor Swift before they got big.
Live Music Experience
Local music shows often provide intimate and authentic live music experiences. You can enjoy live performances in smaller, more personal settings, which can be more immersive and memorable than large, impersonal concerts.
Connection to the Artist
Supporting local musicians allows you to connect with the artists on a more personal level. You may have the opportunity to meet them, chat about their music, and gain a deeper understanding of their creative process.
Preserving Cultural Connectivity
Local music often reflects the cultural and regional identity of a community. By supporting local music, you help preserve and celebrate the unique cultural aspects of your area.
Supporting Mental Health
When Nanos Research asked Canadian culture-goers, what are the top benefits from participating in arts and culture activities, 72.4% ranked “improve my mental health” among their top three answers. Art supports Canadians and their mental health. It’s why we continue to hold free programming and events that platform artists of all calibers, nations, and levels to Vancouver. (Arts Response Tracking Study, February 2022 edition)
Contribution to Creativity and Music Evolution
Local music scenes are where new trends, styles, and innovations often emerge. Local musicians can be a source of inspiration. Seeing artists from your community pursue their dreams and create music can motivate and encourage others to explore their own creativity. Supporting local music can be a way to witness the evolution of music and be a part of something groundbreaking.
Supporting local music has a profound impact on both the local community and the broader music industry. It fosters creativity, diversity, and a sense of belonging, all while contributing to the cultural and economic well-being of your area. Whether you attend local shows, purchase local music, or simply spread the word about your favourite local artists, your support makes a significant difference. Want to know who’s playing where? Sign up for our weekly newsletter for news on upcoming local shows.
