Vancouver’s vibrant music scene faces an uncertain future as rising rents force musicians and venues to struggle for survival. Local artist Jody Glenham, who juggles roles as a musician, DJ, and talent booker, fears the city’s affordability crisis is pushing talent away.
“People are leaving the city because they have no other choice,” Glenham said, highlighting the dire situation many artists face, including those aspiring for Juno nominations.
As performance spaces dwindle and living costs soar, municipal music strategies have become crucial. These policies, adopted by cities like Vancouver and Victoria, aim to support local artists, though Glenham questions their effectiveness. Victoria city councillor and musician Matt Dell acknowledges the affordability crisis as a major threat to arts and culture, making it difficult for venues to survive.
The Canadian Live Music Association reports that live music contributed $10.9 billion to Canada’s GDP in 2023, supporting over 100,000 full-time jobs. Despite its economic impact, venues like the Victoria Events Centre and Granville Street nightclubs continue to shut down, making it harder for musicians to sustain their careers.
Association board chair Tarun Nayar, who helped shape Vancouver and Victoria’s music strategies, stresses the importance of protecting existing venues. Victoria’s approach included purchasing the building housing Hermann’s Jazz Club to preserve it as a live music space.
Saadi D’hoore, Vancouver’s music officer, works with musicians and businesses to address these challenges. He believes community-owned venues or cultural land trusts could provide stability, while Glenham suggests rent control or financial relief for live music spaces. D’hoore acknowledges the complexities but remains committed to finding solutions.
With Vancouver’s music ecosystem at a tipping point, artists and policymakers must find ways to protect the city’s cultural heartbeat.
Source: Swifteradio.com
