Upcoming musical acts at the Osborne Bay Pub in Crofton will definitely hit all the right notes with the younger generation, but hold mass appeal across the age spectrum.
“I have an amazing line-up for January-February,” noted Patricia Berry of Berry Music Co.
“I’m so grateful of the support of everyone with the live music.”
Every Saturday from Jan. 27 through March 2 is booked with a high-energy band, other than an open date on Feb. 3. Tickets will sell fast so those planning to see the shows and hear the great music will also have to act fast to secure a spot through eventbrite.ca.
Top billing among many highlights in a little more than a month will be Brass Camel’s return trip to the pub on March 2 following a performance that was a hot ticket last May.
Related story: Brass Camel’s polished show descends on Crofton
“They have become huge in their own right,” said Berry of the emerging Vancouver band. “They’re so engaging and dynamic. They’re such an incredible show, high-energy.”
The Courier spoke to lead guitarist and vocalist Daniel Sveinson the last time the band was in town.
“This is the only band I’ve played with that we’ve really found a connection live,” said Sveinson at the time.
Brass Camel released its debut album in September of 2022 and looks forward to expanding its audience with a second album planned for early 2024.
“Twenty- to 30-year-olds go crazy for Brass Camel,” enthused Berry.
Four other great bands lead up to the Brass Camel performance, beginning with The Great Divide, Canada’s tribute to The Band, on Jan. 27.
Younger music fans who might not be aware should look up The Band, that was, in fact, the actual name of the band.
Dylan Stone is the organizer/musician from The Great Divide, Berry pointed out.
“He is involved in many bands and one of the most professional and hardest-working musicians that I have ever met,” she praised.
Stone has been trying to help the pub by bringing in high-quality bands from Victoria.
The Great Divide enjoys the same versatility as The Band with five vocalists (including the drummer), and they’re all multi-instrumentalists. Performing with the true instrumentation of the group, the Great Divide plays the music of The Band with an authenticity that is unmatched.
The tribute shifts to the 80s and beyond for Freeze Frame on Feb. 10.
Freeze Frame connects with its audience while celebrating the awesomeness of ’80s music. Lisa McLellan, Paul McLellan, Steve Hanson, Steve Moyer and Dave Oxendale bring the energy, dancing and fun.
The Soul Shakers have long been regulars at the Cowichan Valley’s live music destination and make their return Feb. 17 with their high-energy R&B show.
“They will tell you this is the best place on the island to play,” noted Berry. “They’re so amazing.”
Joyce (The voice) Allensen is the lead singer, and the band gets everyone singing and dancing along to classic soul, Motown, R&B and blues tunes.
Classic rock is the forte of 5 Whiskeys Deep, performing Feb. 24.
Playing massive hits from the likes of The Tragically Hip, ZZ Top, The Beatles, AC/DC and more, 5 Whiskeys Deep also entertains its audience with a dash of country.
That sets the stage for the turn of the calendar to March and the return of Brass Camel.
After a string of consecutive sell-out shows in Vancouver, Brass Camel embarked on its first national tour of Canada and capped off a transformative 2023 with a performance alongside Five Alarm Funk at the Commodore Ballroom.
Brass Camel is hitting the road again in the spring for a 10-week coast-to-coast tour of Canada so this will be a unique opportunity to see the band as its stock continues to rise.