May 2008

By: Sarah Miller (Vancouver Correspondent - Canada)

This weekend, Western Canada's biggest new music festival will take place in Vancouver. New Music West has been around since 1990, showcasing new bands to the public and the industry. Years past have seen performers like Nickelback, Swollen Members, Sam Roberts, The Flaming Lips, Hot Hot Heat, Metric and Modest Mouse who have all gone on to become successful and internationally acclaimed artists. The four day festival will include performances, parties and workshops put on by SOCAN and Annex.

New Music West 2008 will have 265 artists performing in 30 venues in and around Vancouver. There will be performances by local artists like Lotus Child, Sweetheart and Lily Come Down as well as international artists from as far away as Iceland and Brazil. On Friday May 16^th there will be an Australia Showcase at Bourbon Street in Gastown, and on Saturday May 17^th there will be a showcase of artists from the Netherlands at The Penthouse (Seymour St).

Wristbands are available for $30, and they will get you into all of the showcases. They can be purchased at the festival website.

The New Music West Festival And Conference goes from May 14^th to May 18^th For Further information about the event go to: www.newmusicwest.com