Festival Park Stage

Hi I’m Scott and this is my bio I guess? My garage is filled with rock climbing shoes, gardening tools, paint brushes, baking pans, hiking boots and tattoo guns – a graveyard of unfinished projects. My ADHD has led me down many strange roads of hyper-fixation, and the little into the most obscure projects. When I figured out how to write a song one night in 2009, hours turned into days and weeks and years. I’ve picked up a lot of things, but it was the only thing I couldn’t put down. I know, cheesy!!!!!

At the heart of every hyper-fixation is just that; a release of dopamine. – a sudden jolt of satisfaction in a conditionally unsatisfied brain. Music gave me that, sure, but it also worked into the part further back, the part that wants to be understood. Like everyone else, that’s really what I’m after. To be understood sounds like a self-serving mission, but I’ve learned through my experiences touring all over the world, meeting fans of my music and through sharing the joy of my favorite music with friends and strangers, that understanding is a reciprocal loop. When we expose who we are for the selfish sake of being seen, we simultaneously illuminate others who feel like we do.

I live in LA now and these yoga smoothie gurus are always talking about “the now.” ugh. spare me – I get it. If we’re going to be honest with ourselves we all look back, and we all look forward. Some of us just naturally lean toward different points on the past-present-future spectrum. I tend to lean toward the past. I find meaning in the past (and that’s ok Starshine!).

And that’s what my favourite music does, which is why it’s hard for me to pinpoint an exact genre or style that I appreciate most. Ever since I discovered how my favorite music could make me feel, I’ve spent hours deep in Limewire searches, Youtube holes and Spotify digs to discover the next song that will speak to me.

Ultimately, when I found songwriting, I was just a kid with an acoustic guitar, but I found artists like Simon and Garfunkel, Neil Young, Bon Iver, Vance Joy, and Ray Lamontagne. the most inspiring because I was able to emulate that style of music the easiest and I was in a rush to get it out of me. I still love The Flaming Lips, and NWA, Sonic Youth, and The 1975, EDM, and the fun of incorporating a wider landscape into my music is essential. But at the end of the day, if there is no answer to “what is the point of this song,” and if the goal is not to make that point clear and direct as possible, then I’m out.

Ok let me wrap this up: this body of music I have is really about the story of my life in one way or another. Most of it is about my relationship with my fiancée Katya, which spans 12 years of my life. We met when I was 15 and dated until the end of high school. We had a horrible, messy breakup and went our separate ways. Fast forward 3-4 years later, I was with my band in a sprinter van racing toward Montreal, where she lived, to play a show. I had heard she broke up with her boyfriend and knew right then that I still loved her. I invited her. She showed. We got back together and now we’re engaged. Sounds like a rom-com, I know. Within the scope of my latest tunes, not everyone is going to care about the whole trajectory of a 12-year love story. Maybe some will relate to more songs then others, and that’s ok.

https://www.scotthelmanmusic.com/

Experience the legendary music of Canadian Songwriters Hall of Fame inductee Nick Gilder & Sweeney Todd, who began their rock journey playing at every venue imaginable in the 70s. With their evolution into a successful recording act, their first LP included the timeless #1 JUNO winning and multi-platinum hit Roxy Roller! Don’t miss the chance to see this incredible act live at the PNE, and relive the anthemic radio hits that have stood the test of time and that remind us of long hot summers, the soundtrack of our lives.

These days Nick and Sweeney are rocking the Festivals, Casino showrooms, Fairs, and more, playing the classics Hot Child in the City, Roxy Roller, Here Comes the Night, Rated X, You Really Rock Me, Let Me In, and more.

Throughout his illustrious career, Nick Gilder has written and recorded many Top 20 hits internationally. They have toured with The Cars, Cheap Trick, Peter Gabriel, Foreigner, STYX, Journey, New York Dolls, The Babies, even hall of famers like Chuck Berry, to name a few. It’s a powerhouse performance, which includes past hits, great new material and some faves that make a fun rocking show!

https://www.nickgilder.com/

Nashville based award-winning Tanner Olsen Band are setting their sights high with this upcoming 2024 year. The band draws musical inspiration from artists like the Eagles, Alabama, Morgan Wallen, Luke Combs, Avicii, and have accumulated over 2 million streams around the world. After winning the 2020 BCCMA Emerging Artist Award, the boys have been finalists for Group of the year in 2022 and 2023 and were featured in the Fender showcase at the 2022 Canadian Country Music Awards. They have quickly become a household name in the Nashville country scene by bringing their high energy and big harmonies to every show. They are immersive, memorable, and resonate with audiences long after the final note. It’s a show you won’t want to miss.

https://www.tannerolsen.com/

Choir! Choir! Choir! directors Daveed Goldman and Nobu Adilman (AKA DaBu) throw the biggest and best singing parties of all time! Since 2011, they have built a dedicated and passionate community of singers (and non-singers) by creating a safe, productive, and exceedingly fun space to express themselves. Armed with just an acoustic guitar, the duo teach harmonic arrangements to the greatest pop songs and get every room laughing and singing at the tops of their lungs!

Choir! Choir! Choir! got its start in bars around Toronto, Canada, and are now an international touring group who have garnered over 70 millions views on YouTube (with 250,000 subscribers), Facebook and Instagram, and shared the stage with top names in the business from Patti Smith to Brandi Carlile, David Byrne and Rick Astley, Kermit The Frog, Rufus Wainwright, Colin Hay, and more! They have played some of the world’s biggest stages including Carnegie Hall, Radio City Music Hall, Lincoln Center, the 9/11 Museum, toured throughout Canada, the USA, and the United Kingdom.

In New York City alone, the duo have performed at the Lincoln Center (with Kermit The Frog), the Public Theater (once with Patti Smith and Stewart Copeland from The Police, once with David Byrne), the Jewish Museum, The Metropolitan Museum Of Art for Pride Week, commemorated the 18th anniversary of the 9/11 Museum with a performance at ground zero that was featured in a documentary made by the All Arts PBS Channel, as well as Carnegie Hall and Radio City Music Hall, as part of a star-studded tribute to David Bowie – alongside luminaries such as Michael Stipe (R.E.M), Debbie Harry, the Flaming Lips and many more! In 2019, DaBu performed a cross-border concert with Nobu in Tijuana and Daveed in California State Park with hundreds of American and Mexican singers singing The Beatles classic With A Little Help From My Friends to promote a sense of community and togetherness across borders.

https://choirchoirchoir.com/

Whitehorse is the prolific partnership of Melissa McClelland and Luke Doucet. Uninhibited by expectation, boldly adventurous and categorically talented, Whitehorse’s signature sound is always guitar-heavy, harmony-plentiful and lyrically deft.

With an expansive run of records that freely and thrillingly dip in psychedelic country, pop noir, squalling blues rock and celestial folk, Whitehorse have pushed their musical identity into new realms and sounds for over a decade. As attested by five consecutive JUNO Award nominations in many different genre categories, Whitehorse do a lot of things, and do them well.

On their new record, Whitehorse venture deeper into classic country music touchstones than ever before, a move that is both a homecoming and an evolution of their sound. I’m Not Crying, You’re Crying is an immaculate collection of 70s country-inspired songs that showcase Whitehorse at their absolute best.

https://www.whitehorsemusic.ca/

Vancouver’s hottest, queerest event band! At its core, Queer As Funk was born from a desire to celebrate diversity, using music as a tool to spread that positivity throughout the community. As one of the few predominantly queer and non-binary bands in the province, their shows are not only dynamic and entertaining, but a powerful statement of pride and identity.

For more than a decade, Queer As Funk has been dedicated to visiting small communities to provide celebration and visibility to queer individuals looking to gather, connect, and strengthen their communities. They aim to inspire queer youth by offering themselves as models for living full, joyful lives as successful queer adults, and; as the band’s love for one another is palpable in performances, models for celebrating queer friendship, love, and chosen family.

Alongside their commitment to social justice, Queer As Funk has also earned a reputation as a powerful and entertaining band. Their tight horn arrangements, groovy rhythms, and powerful vocals have won over fans at music festivals and Pride events across Canada.

https://www.queerasfunk.com/

Eagles dominated soft rock throughout the 70’s with unforgettable hits like Take It Easy, Witchy Woman, Best Of My Love, One of These Nights, Lyin’ Eyes, Take It To The Limit, New Kid In Town. Hotel California, Life In The Fast Lane, Heartache Tonight, The Long Run, I Can’t Tell You Why… and more.  Beautiful and catchy melodies with amazing lead and harmony vocals have made the Eagles one of the most famous, respected and loved rock groups of all time, with broad appeal to all ages.

Eagle Eyes capture lead and harmony vocals with breath-taking precision that is nothing less than stunning. All vocals are live…. you won’t hear a single pre-recorded vocal track. Eagle Eyes is arguably the best Eagles tribute in North America, and has received standing ovations from audiences in Canada, and in several States in the USA, including Washington, Oregon, California, Idaho and Alaska.

Eagle Eyes are… Jack Gunderson, bass and lead vocals, fills the vocal roles of Glenn Frey and Timothy B. Schmidt. Jason Dunajski, guitars and lead vocals, fills the vocal roles of Don Henley and Randy Meisner. Ray Harvey, guitars and lead vocals, fills the vocal role of Joe Walsh.

Kenneth Ermter, drums and lead vocals, also fills the vocal roles of Henley and Meisner.

All four members of Eagle Eyes are lifetime professional musicians with several decades of combined experience on the road and in the studio with a number of different bands and projects over the years. Eagle Eyes embraces all of this musical dedication and experience to deliver a show that is nothing short of magnificent, making them among the top-drawing tribute acts wherever they perform.

https://www.eagleeyestribute.rocks/

Celebrating 30 years of tribute artistry, Bobby Bruce returns to the Pacific National Exhibition (PNE) in 2024, marking three decades since he first captivated audiences with his tribute to Neil Diamond.

A native of the Lower Mainland, Bruce’s roots with the PNE run deep—from his youthful days at the racetrack to his teen years in maintenance, evolving into seasons of singing and dancing in the Playland production shows. Over the years, he has headlined various stages, including the mainstage with the Solitary Band, and was named Entertainer of the Year in 2006.

This year’s performance is more than a show; it’s a homecoming.

A revered figure in the tribute world, Bobby’s journey as Nearly Neil began in 1994. His talent quickly caught the attention of Las Vegas’ Legends in Concert, leading to a 10-month tour across the US. His international acclaim soared with a whirlwind 60-show tour in Australia, where he earned the beloved moniker, Nearly Neil. Bruce’s performances are celebrated for their authenticity and flair, capturing the spirit of Neil Diamond while adding his own distinctive charisma.  Acclaimed by critics and adored by fans, his show has continued to entertain and charm audiences on stages across Asia, Australia, Europe, and North America for decades.

As we celebrate Bobby Bruce’s 30th Anniversary as Nearly Neil at the PNE 2024, we invite you to join us in honouring a career that has not only stood the test of time but has also brought joy to fans around the world.

https://www.nearlyneil.com/

Home is where the heart is for boot-stompin’, hard-tourin’ British Columbia-by-way-of-Manitoba act Tim & The Glory Boys. Their newest single “Take Me Backroad ft. High Valley” (March 10) is a celebration of returning to your happy place – wherever home is.

The heartwarming new single features a guest spot from High Valley’s Brad Rempel, and was written by Rempel, Jon Nite (Luke Bryan, Keith Urban, Dierks Bentley) and Ben Stennis (Jason Aldean, Tim McGraw, Cody Johnson).

“‘Take Me Backroad’ is our homage to the dusty back roads and small towns that shaped us,” says Tim Neufeld, the Tim part of Tim & The Glory Boys along with Colin Trask (dobro/percussionist) and Brenton Thorvaldson (banjo/guitar). “It’s a love letter to a simpler time and a reminder to always remember where you came from and is more than just a song to us, it’s a way of life. It’s about slowing down, soaking in the beauty of the countryside, and cherishing the memories we’ve made along the way. We hope this song takes our listeners on a nostalgic journey and reminds them of the magic that can be found in the simplest of moments.” Adds Rempel, “’Take Me Backroad’ has a message that means so much to me. Tim & The Glory Boys sound incredible on it and I tried my best to not mess up the second verse.”

The new single will also anchor Tim & The Glory Boys’ self-titled debut album for Sony Music Canada (April 21). The 10 songs on the new album showcase The Glory Boys’ unique “canoegrass” sound — a deft combination of country and bluegrass presented with a confidently Canadian perspective. The album features gold certified “When You Know You Know” as well as three previously released fan favourites “Without A Prayer,” “Me Without You” and summertime smash “Float,” all of which have hit the Canadian Country Radio Top Ten chart.

With almost 30 million streams worldwide, two-time Juno Award winners and multi-time Canadian Country Music Association Awards (CCMA) nominees Tim & The Glory Boys are poised to lead a growing fanbase to their own happy places.

https://www.timandthegloryboys.com/

With bands in Vancouver, Calgary, Toronto, and Seattle, Side One has become not only something totally unique in the event industry, but also the standard that other companies are trying to catch up too. In 12 years, they’ve managed to play almost 2000 events, employ over 150 musicians and audio techs, and be able to play just about every genre of music imaginable to get you on the dance floor.

Side One is about the music and the audience and promises to rock the PNE!

https://www.sideone.ca/

Julio Avila Cuban Band is 10-piece music powerhouse led by bass virtuoso, composer and a lead singer, Julio Avila!  Born and raised in Cuba, in a family of established musicians, Julio first developed a strong bond with the traditional tune, changüí, which has roots in his native Guantanamo. Surrounded by vibrant and rich musical heritage of Cuba, Julio perfected playing his principal instrument, the bass, while taking on the lead singer, arranger and composer roles as well.

As a member of the internationally renowned group La Sonora Universal, Julio performed throughout Europe and with El Grupo Cubano Brisas Del Palmar he has toured Western Canada since 2005.

A resident of Vancouver since 2015, he decided to continue his musical journey here in BC and to showcase the unique and abundant musical treasures of his native island. Julio Avila Cuban Band is a musical project born out of sheer passion for performing excellence, and for nurturing a beautiful Cuban music and culture. The band’s captivating and powerful performances of salsa, son, bachata… are not to be missed!

https://www.julioavilacubanband.com/

Vancouver’s Most Versatile Event Band! Introducing Jay Leonard Juatco, Jay Esplana, Jason Nickel, Jonny Holisko, Marie Hui and Tiffany Rivera, six of BC’s most talented and energetic performers and one of Vancouver’s most versatile Dance bands. Rounding out their lineup tonight will be a two-piece horn section. Beyond the razorblade grooves, adrenaline-fueled stage show, and mastery of their art, Trilojay is about the experience of music. The musicians in this party band are among the elite in the industry and their goal is to create something new, yet completely familiar to the people. Outstandingly versatile, quickly adaptable, and attune to the emotion of the crowd, TriloJay is always ready to keep the crowd rocking till the last downbeat.

https://www.vanhattanent.com/trilojay

The music & magic of ABBA returns to The PNE’s Tim Hortons Stage with ABRA Cadabra! Don’t miss this all ages & family friendly stage extravaganza that has been receiving rave reviews from coast to coast!

Featuring a live band, powerful vocals, dancers & costumes, this interactive stage show will have you smiling, moving & singing along to hits such as Mamma Mia, Dancing Queen, Take A Chance, SOS, Waterloo, Fernando & more!

ABRA Cadabra from Vancouver has been touring the world for over 20 years bringing the timeless music of ABBA to audiences of all ages & cultures. Past performances include several shows for the Malaysian Royal Family, The Queen Elizabeth Theatre in Vancouver, Universal Studios in Florida, The Esplanade Theatre in Singapore, The McPherson Playhouse in Victoria, The Jack Singer Concert Hall in Calgary, Dalhousie Arts Centre in Halifax, Theatre Capitol Moncton, Burton Cummings Theatre in Winnipeg, The Connexus Arts Centre in Regina & more!

www.facebook.com/TributeToABBA

www.iloveabba.com

Tyler Shaw is a multi-Platinum-selling artist, music producer, and actor. The Chinese-Canadian, originally from Vancouver, BC, released his hit song “Kiss Goodnight” in 2012, quickly hitting Platinum sales. That release ultimately set the stage for more than a decade of chart-topping singles and career highlights, cementing Tyler’s role as one of Canada’s most versatile and pre-eminent talents.

Tyler has performed for Princes (Harry), Prime Ministers (Justin Trudeau), and Presidents (Joe Biden). His music has been nominated for multiple JUNO Awards, and he has opened for massive international artists, including Shawn Mendes and Alessia Cara, and toured with Selena Gomez. In 2022, Gomez performed Tyler’s hit “Kiss Goodnight” in her acclaimed documentary My Mind and Me. In 2021, Tyler spearheaded (with Fefe Dobson) the collective artist initiative ArtistsCAN to raise funds for COVID-19 relief in Canada. The pair gathered other musicians from across the country, including Justin Bieber, Michael Bublé and Marie-Mai, to cover the classic single “Lean On Me,” with proceeds going to the Canadian Red Cross COVID relief fund. Tyler has worked extensively in the non-profit sphere, also supporting the Pinball Clemons Foundation and the work of the Canadian Chinese Youth Athletic Association (CCYAA).

In 2021, Tyler released his first holiday album A Tyler Shaw Christmas, which was nominated for a JUNO award for ‘Adult Contemporary Album of the Year.’ That year, Tyler toured extensively with The Tenors on their holiday tour, staking his claim as Canada’s Prince of Christmas. In 2022, Tyler released “This Christmas,” which spent three consecutive weeks in the #1 spot on Canadian radio.  In 2023, Tyler released “Christmas All Over Again,” adding to A Tyler Shaw Christmas’s collection of holiday favourites and Christmas originals – truly the gift that keeps on giving.

As one of Canada’s most recognized pop music talents, with ten top-ten charting singles, and a slew of movie, TV, feature and production credits to his name, Tyler Shaw is one of this country’s most enduring talents.

https://www.tylershawmusic.com/

The R&B Allstars is a dynamic 10-piece rhythm and blues band, celebrating their 45th year on the Vancouver music scene. Formed in 1979, the band gained popularity playing venues such as the iconic Town Pump, the Commodore, Richards on Richards, 86th Street as well as being a regular feature at Whistler’s Buffalo Bills. The band enjoyed great radio support in the early years having recorded many singles and a live album, Live at the Five, which is where it all started. More recently the band recorded a CD/DVD set at the Hard Rock Casino.

A few years ago, the powerful vocals of Nathen Aswell were added to those of Joani Bye, with vocal augmentation by Billy Mendoza, Peter Juric and Tim Porter. The funky powerhouse rhythm section features Tim Porter’s searing guitar stylings, Billy Mendoza pounding the bass, keyboard wizard Bill Sample and Rick Hill driving the whole section on drums. Steve Hilliam (tenor sax), Peter Juric (trumpet), Colin Weinmaster (trombone) and Bill Abbott (alto sax) form the outstanding “brass kicking ass” horn section.

The Allstars always enjoy reconnecting with their loyal fans of many years and finding new ones along the way. 2024 heralds the conclusion of the remarkable journey of this iconic band, so make sure to check them out on their Last Dance Tour on the final night of the PNE!

http://rbalive.com/