Photo by Marie-Michèle Bouchard

In Concert Photo Gallery: SOCAN @ FME

Story by Eric Parazelli | Wednesday September 7th, 2022

The 20th edition of the Festival de musique émergente en Abitibi-Témiscamingue (FME) was held from Sept. 1-4, 2022. Over the years, the annual festival – dedicated to the emerging music scene – has become a not-to-be-missed opportunity to discover new music in Québec. The 2022 version was no exception.

SOCAN presented one of the few “secret” shows that spice up the programming each year, featuring Alex Pic, leader of the Abitibi band Lubik, now pursuing a solo career. True to his reputation of giving shows in unusual places, Pic’s show took place in a bookstore on Sunday morning, to the delight of early birds.

Here are some images of the shows that impressed us most at this year’s FME.

Photo by Marie-Michèle Bouchard

In Concert Photo Gallery: Hologramme at Club Soda

Story by Marie-Michèle Bouchard | Friday September 9th, 2022

After more than two years of waiting, it was finally time to see Hologram back on stage in Montréal. As a coda to the tour supporting their album CIEL, the whole Société Holographique de Montréal team invited their fans at Club Soda on Sept. 6 for a back-to-school party.

The show called upon the talents of several Montréal-based artists to present an impressive collaborative work. 

  • Stage direction: Laurence “BAZ” Morais. 
  • Physical art installation: Studio Ascètes (Olivier Bonnard & Alexis Vaillancourt) 
  • Stage lighting and lasers by Baillait Studio (Jean-Sebatien Baillat & Patrick Trudeau) , François Lévesque and Vincent Noël (VINO)
  • Costumes : Rémi Van Bochove 
  • Sound: Guyaume Robitaille 

We were there to capture this moment of pure musical and visual delirium as Hologramme was surrounded by several friends who came to party with him on stage, including his musicians Laurent Saint-Pierre and Alex Dodier, as well as special guests AG Kone, Claudia Bouvette, and Mantisse. He also debuted 3 new songs that will be featured on his upcoming 3rd album.

 

Photo by SOCAN

Canadian Live Music Association announces recipients of AID: #FORTHELOVEOFLIVE

Story by SOCAN | Thursday September 1st, 2022

The Canadian Live Music Association (CLMA) has announced the 30 recipients of the AID: #ForTheLoveOfLIVE financial assistance relief program, a joint effort between the CLMA and SOCAN, created to help small, independently owned and operated venues that have experienced significant financial challenges due to the pandemic.

From June 13 to July 13, independent live music venues with capacities of 500 or fewer in Canada were invited to apply to the program. The recipients were selected randomly by blind lottery, and each will receive $1,000 to help with recovery.

The 2022 AID: #ForTheLoveOfLIVE recipients are:

  • Aeolian Hall (London, ON)
  • Ausgang Plaza (Montréal)
  • Bez Arts Hub (Langley, BC)
  • Broken Record Bar & Music Room (Fredericton)
  • Bulldog Event Center (Winnipeg)
  • Cooperative Paradis (Rimouski, QC)
  • First Light Centre for Performance and Creativity (St. John’s, NL)
  • The Hayloft Dancehall (Cherry Valley, ON)
  • La Petite boîte noire (Sherbrooke, QC)
  • La Source de la Martinière (Québec City)
  • Le Pantoum (Québec City)
  • Le Verre Bouteille (Montréal)
  • LIVE! on Elgin (Ottawa)
  • Local Losers (Vernon, BC)
  • LopLops (Sault Ste. Marie, ON)
  • Lunenburg Opera House (Lunenberg, NS)
  • Supermarket Bar and Variety (Toronto)
  • Cameron Public House (Hudson, QC)
  • The CAP (Fredericton, NB)
  • The Caveau (Moncton, NB)
  • The Common / 9910 (Edmonton)
  • The Good Will Social Club (Winnipeg)
  • The Hart Gastown (Vancouver)
  • The LIDO (St. John, BC)
  • The Vat Pub (Red Deer, AB)
  • Times Change(d) High & Lonesome Club (Winnipeg)
  • Victoria Event Centre (Victoria)
  • Vinyl Envy (Victoria)
  • West End Cultural Centre (Winnipeg)
  • Xeroz Arcade/Bar (Moncton, NB)

The initiative was created in partnership with SOCAN, which recognizes the intrinsic and vital relationship between their membership and live music venues.

“COVID has made it abundantly clear as to why partnerships are critical for our collective future,” said Erin Benjamin, President & CEO of the Canadian Live Music Association. “It’s by working together that we’ll be able to find our way to true recovery and beyond, and we’re grateful to SOCAN for their generosity and collaborative spirit. These venues are part of the heart of our community; the importance of the role they play in the industry cannot be overstated.”

“SOCAN is happy to work with the CLMA on such an important program,” said SOCAN CEO Jennifer Brown. “We all missed concerts over the last couple of years, and we want to make sure that live music can return. Concerts are essential to our members, and to how we all experience our favourite songs.”

Following the Canadian government’s COVID lockdowns from the past two years, some small venues in Canada are returning to normal operations, but it will take time for them to return to pre-pandemic levels.

“The Canadian music industry was one of the hardest-struck sectors during the recent pandemic,” said Jon Evenchick, Owner and Manager of Live! On Elgin. “Live! On Elgin, like many other small businesses, was unable to pay our rent for many months due to closures and lockdowns. This grant from the CLMA will empower us to keep our doors open, so that we can continue to provide an invaluable service to grassroots musicians, who need an affordable room to play.”

Through AID: #ForTheLoveOfLIVE, a total of $30,000 has been distributed to eligible music venues that have experienced significant financial challenges due to the pandemic.

To learn more visit https://www.aidfortheloveoflive.com/