Sydney Hallett sits outside her Tonal Music classroom where the sounds of the clarinet can be heard in the next class. As an English and fine arts student, music is a large part of her curriculum at St. Thomas University. Although she doesn’t perform in the Fredericton music scene outside from her classes at STU, she enjoys going to see live shows downtown. Her favourite place to see music is in Wilser’s Room.
“I love going to The Capital Complex, I love reggae night. I used to love bluegrass night – I wish that was back, and just shows every once in a while. I’ve never had a bad experience there, it’s always been exactly what I’m looking for in my night.”
Fredericton was well-recognized at the 2018 Music NB awards for having excellent artists, bands and venues. In a city that has four post-secondary institutions, students often fill up the downtown nightlife and music scene, as many venues offer discounted or even free music shows.
In fall 2018, Eddie Young, the founder of Roots & Soul Music Promotions, started offering students 50 per cent off cover to any of the shows he organizes, whether they’re at Grimross or The Capital. Young attended New Brunswick Community College in St. Andrews and Fanshawe College in Ontario. He said that as a former college student, he understands the importance of not going over budget.
“I feel it’s important that students can get out and enjoy some of the stuff without breaking the bank and breaking their budget and all that sort of stuff. I feel it’s more important that they’re out to see and experience the live experience, as opposed to not because they can’t afford to be there,” he said.
Fourth-year history and English student Katherine Sorrell Kirkpatrick checks her Facebook to find upcoming events. She thinks the Fredericton music scene is fairly accessible for students. She enjoys going to The Capital, Dolan’s Pub and the Harvest Jazz & Blues Festival.
“It seems very down to earth. It’s a lot of free or just $5 cover, it doesn’t feel like you’re going to a concert or a band, it feels like you’re just among friends.”
Emma Johnson, a third-year political science and music student at STU, fronts the band Arma Epifanía. She thinks the music scene in Fredericton needs more laid back locations to play music.
“It would be sweet if there was a little bit more of a casual atmosphere I guess, because obviously it’s winter so you can’t play outside, but if we could have like small bands playing in a restaurant, rather than the music that would be super cool. Or even like busking inside the restaurant like maybe the restaurant won’t pay them but they’re allowed to busk.”
Johnson said there used to be more laid back locations to play music, like Read’s Newsstand & Café. But since Read’s has closed, she said she wishes The Capital would have events where people could relax and play music in a setting that doesn’t just include scheduled band performances.
“I wish The Capital would host jams, because it’s just not a casual atmosphere in that sense.”
As for Hallett, moving to Fredericton from the small town of Hampton, N.B. has been a big change. In Hampton, she said there was only one local band who would have a gig every once and a while that the whole town would attend. Here, she goes to shows once every few weeks.
“I love it. Compared to where I’m from, it’s amazing. Like outstanding. I think there’s a lot of great opportunity for upcoming artists and the people who are trying to branch out and do their own thing, which is great.”
