Whistler Summer Music Guide
Live Music at Olympic Plaza. Photo Credit - Mike Crane
There’s something about the mountains and nature that inspires good music. Music plays a central part in many people’s lives here in Whistler, and thankfully there is lots of live music to keep everybody happy! Live music can be found every night in Whistler in various bars and clubs, and then in summer, the music spills out into the streets and parks.
Sea to Sky Music Festivals
Squamish Constellation Festival
2019 is the inaugural year of the Squamish Constellation Festival. There’s been a big gap in the summer music calendar ever since Pemberton Music Festival and Squamish Music Festival ceased business, so everybody is really looking forward to this one!
Jessie Reyez, Bahamas, and Serena Ryder are the headliners for this three-day festival that takes place from the 26th to the 28th of July. The lineup covers all aspects of music from electronic, hip-hop, RnB and pop. There will also be an art project and crafts fair for people to get involved with.
There will be shuttles available between the festival and Whistler, so make sure you get your ticket! A 3 day passes costs $199 and the venue can hold 7,500 attendees each day. It’s sure to be a musical highlight of the summer!
Summer Concert Series
The Whistler Summer Concert Series has regularly attracted large crowds for a number of years now. This is due to its fantastic lineups, free entry and stunning setting at Olympic Plaza. The events are family-friendly, so pack a picnic and relax with an evening of brilliant live music.
The Tenors
The Tenors are a Canadian vocal group that blends popular songs with classical singing. They’ve toured all over the world and sold vast quantities of records. The Tenors will be bringing the classical music flair to Whistler this year in place of the Vancouver Symphony Orchestra, as they will not be taking up their annual slot this year.
Broken Social Scene
Broken Social Scene are an indie group from California. They formed in 1999 and hit their peak popularity in the late 2000s. They are a collective of musicians ranging from 6 to 19 members. They have released five studio albums with their 2010 release “Forgiveness Rock Record” reaching No. 1 in Canada.
Concerts
As well as having some great festivals, there’s always lots of one-off shows happening in Whistler. Check out local listings to see what's on when you’re here. Here are some highlights coming up this summer.
Ocean Alley
Because of our large Australian population here it’s no surprise that Australian bands have a large following in Whistler. Ocean Alley come from Sydney and are a reggae fusion band who are extremely popular back in Australia. In 2018 the had four songs in the illustrious Triple J Hottest 100 contest. Their hit single ‘Confidence’ came in first place. Their concert is in The GLC on June 1st this year, it’s sure to sell out, so get your ticket now!
DIY Music
Rather get involved instead of just watching? Don’t fret, we’ve got you covered!
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Cranked Espresso Bar - Open Mic Night
Cranked Espresso Bar in Rainbow, is one of Whistler’s newest cafes. As well as serving up high-end coffee and local craft beers Cranked also have a busy music schedule. There are regular, intimate gigs here and also an open-mic night every Monday. So make sure you check it out if you want to get involved!
The Crystal Lounge - Karaoke
Tuesday night is karaoke night in Whistler! The Crystal Lounge attracts a large crowd every week for one of the most memorable nights of live music in Whistler. Get down early as this night is often sold-out!
