Said The Whale
Said The Whale have earned their place in the Canadian music pantheon. They’ve won a Juno Award, topped the alternative radio chart, and amassed a devoted base of fans who affectionately describe themselves as “SaidHeads” — all the while maintaining their resolute independent spirit. Now, more than a decade into their career, the Vancouver group are opening their most ambitious chapter yet. Stately piano, roaring guitar distortion, giant-sized synths and orchestral flourishes — every moment blooms with bright, vivid sounds and subtle details. But in spite of the grandiose arrangements and go-for-broke production quality, the new songs are, at their core, classic Said The Whale. Seven albums into their career, Said The Whale are now fully independent and refusing to bask in their success. They’re swinging for the fences and holding nothing back in their relentless pursuit of pop-rock perfection.
Fake Shark
Vancouver-based Fake Shark are known for their pop-tinged alt rock songs, gaining critical acclaim and a constantly growing fanbase. They’ve just released their latest album, “Afterglow” (their fifth in roughly six years). This album, like all of Fake Shark’s music; finds the band blending the styles of a diverse array of artists and refusing to adhere to a paint-by-numbers, approach. That’s been a hallmark of the band’s output since they started in 2015 – something that’s reflected in their ability to fearlessly, fluently, and seemingly effortlessly incorporate elements of dance music, pop punk, industrial, funk, EDM, and straight-up pop and rock to create a sound that’s impossible to pigeonhole but uniquely their own.
the free label
The Free Label comprises six multi-instrumentalists and vocalists from Toronto, Canada. Their music is a unique fusion of 70s disco, 90s R&B, and high-energy funk, resulting in a captivating, dance-focused show. Their 2019 single “All Night” propelled them to new heights, enabling them to tour internationally. Since then, they have independently toured Europe, North America, and Australia, garnering fans along the way. They have sold out shows nationwide, from Montreal to Vancouver. In the studio, the band has collaborated with Grammy-nominated artists such as saxophonist Braxton Cook, featured on their 2022 release “Shine,” and Grammy-nominated producer Aaron Paris (Drake, Kanye West, Kali Uchis), who composed and recorded strings for their latest single, “Real Love.” The Free Label’s natural chemistry and captivating live performances have made them instant favorites with audiences worldwide. Their blend of technical prowess and crowd engagement leaves a lasting impression on concert-goers everywhere. This band will get you moving.
538 st.
From the balmy shores of Canada comes the sunny duo 538st featuring brothers Sam and Jake Cooke. With a foundation of hip-hop that melds jazzy R’n’B and funk, their sound is reminiscent yet fresh. Based out of Kelowna, BC, 538st formed in 2019 and has been building their platform, booking ever-bigger shows and garnering attention from prominent names in the music industry. The band especially shines in their live performance, where they exude infectious energy and musicality. Along with being front runners in their local scene, 538st has amassed passionate fans across the globe. Their fans are diverse and dedicated to supporting the project, many devoted enough to get the 538st tattoo and join the family for life. The band commonly surprises the audience with their exciting contrast between their look and their sound. The good vibes pass effortlessly between the stage and crowd, making it impossible not to dance. Sam and Jake push for musical growth and evolution while they stay grounded in their roots; 538st is named for their childhood home, in the town where they have a vigorous fan base of die-hard supporters.
Fionn
The Vancouver folk-pop duo Fionn have spent most of the last year working on their new record I Might Start Smoking. This new record is a full-circle record for Fionn, revisiting the sound and spirit of their heralded first releases; however, their path to this point has been anything but predictable. After all, the duo only dropped their self-titled debut in 2018, though they’ve been quite prolific since, developing a song writing palette in a few years that even career artists would kill for. Their latest finds the sisters leaning on their Celtic roots and limiting their palette with organic instrumentation. It’s still catchy as hell, relying on musicianship, song writing acumen, and authenticity for hooks instead of high-tech tools. Fionn have been making their way back onstage after the pandemic’s forced hiatus and will surely return to pushing musical boundaries with subsequent recordings. For now though, this album revisits the pure, undiluted creative prowess that propelled them to fame in the first place.
Myc Sharratt
Myc Sharratt has performed his award-winning brand of folk-funk to audiences across North America and Europe for close to 20 years. Sharratt’s new album “The Bird & The Bear” was recorded live in front of a captive audience in Sharratt’s hometown of Nanaimo, BC with his band, “The Alibis”. The lively sextet was complimented by the magic of the Vancouver Island Symphony. The collection sees the reimagining of songs from Sharratt’s first 5 albums which have garnered over 4 million streams and 7 Vancouver Island music award nominations.
Krystle Dos Santos
Krystle Dos Santos is a 2x Western Canadian award winning singer/songwriter and performer. Her award winning self titled album was released in 2008, followed by Fame Fatale in 2011. BLOOM|BURN, her 3rd studio release, awarded her the WCMA for R&B artist of the year in 2020. From singing on stage with Stevie Wonder and Michael Buble to theatre performances on stages all around North America, Dos Santos brings her eclectic style, powerful vocal prowess and magnetic charm to every performance she delivers. Catch her sharing the story of Canadian civil rights icon Viola Desmond in her original co-creation, Hey Viola!, or with her new country/rock project Orchard Sky in venues across our beautiful country.
DJ O Show
Orene Askew, aka DJ O Show, brings energy and expertise to every event she DJ’s and hosts. She brings professionalism and passion and remains true to her love for hip hop and R&B, incorporating beats to ensure you never want to leave the dance floor! With an outgoing personality and friendly demeanor, O Show is one of the easiest DJs to work with. From Vancouver to Toronto, Las Vegas to Texas, DJ O Show keeps the dance floor packed, working with clients to put together unique packages and customized playlists for weddings, birthdays, holiday parties, corporate events, restaurant and club openings, charity fundraisers, youth conferences, and pride events in her city! Coming from a diverse background, O Show is driven by her passion. She is Afro-Indigenous and a proud member of the Squamish Nation. Feeling as though she stood out in a unique way, she embraced both her cultural backgrounds and incorporates the teachings she has learned into everything she does. She has hosted/MC’d/DJ’d for numerous clients such as The Vancouver Canucks, BC Lions, Vancouver Whitecaps, Vancouver Indigenous Fashion Week, and opened for Kevin Hart and Russell Peters at The Great Outdoors Comedy Festival.
Madelaine McCallum
Madelaine McCallum is a gifted dancer, motivational speaker, facilitator, and MC — a true, multi-faceted creative. She is from Ile a la Crosse, Saskatchewan and brings passion with a gentle yet powerful presence to the stage whether she is there to share one of her inspiring speaks or she has been asked to dance, or MC.
While life was not always easy for Madelaine, she left her home community with the goal to break unhealthy cycles of addiction — her story of survival is inspiring.
When Madelaine dances, you feel her connection. When she speaks, you feel her authenticity. She shows you and helps you feel the invisible lines of connection we all share, through her stories and her life experiences.
Rachel Beau
Born and raised in the heart of Niagara, Rachel grew up performing in dance & theatre shows. Theatre Performance Graduate, Rachel soon found her passion in developing children’s theatre and family entertainment. From performing on stage for clients like Canada Place “ Canada Day” Mainstage, Coca~Cola, Microsoft, Scholastic, Canadian Family Magazine and Global TV; Rachel has amped up crowds as large as 10,000 people & loves small intimate settings all the same. Elevating the energy of the room and making every person feel special and seen is what keeps Rachel dancin’ & celebrating every moment. Along with hosting events Rachel teaches a self confidence kids program, POPSTAR ACADEMY & is currently expanding into major events into all of North America.
School of Rock
Calling all School of Rock fans!! A huge hit with audiences, School of Rock Vancouver’s award-winning House Band is made up of talented rock stars from 8-18 years of age. Playing hits from various rock genres, these students from the school’s elite Performance Groups bring a high energy, fun performance that leaves the crowd energized and wanting more.
School of Rock Vancouver offers camps and programs for all skill levels and ages where students can learn guitar, bass, keys, drums or vocals. Combining 1-1 lessons with group band practices, along with live performances on stage, it is where students grow into real musicians and rock stars in their community! With a vibrant studio and rehearsal spaces, School of Rock is really one of the coolest places to learn music!
Higher Ground Dance Company
Elevating the rhythm of Vancouver’s dance scene, Higher Ground Dance Company stands as a beacon of artistic excellence and cultural diversity. Nestled in the heart of Canada’s west coast, our founder Natasha Gorrie leads a dynamic ensemble of street dancers, igniting stages with their electrifying performances.
Specializing in the raw and expressive genres of Hip Hop, Breaking, and Popping, Higher Ground Dance Company celebrates the authenticity and creativity of street dance culture. As we embark on our 6th season, our commitment to nurturing individual talent within a collaborative environment remains unwavering.
At Higher Ground, diversity isn’t just embraced—it’s celebrated. Our audition-based program welcomes dancers from all walks of life, spanning ages from 11 to mid-30s. We pride ourselves on being a home for ethnic and gender diversity, where each member’s unique perspective enriches our collective journey.