Top 5 Resources For Finding Indie Bands In Vancouver

Why is it so difficult to discover new indie bands in Vancouver? With all the talented artists and great venues in town it should be a breeze. But, it turns out to be a lot more frustrating that you'd think. I just spent a whole day on the web hunting down local indie bands and artists. And, that's the point! I'm sure I didn't find them all, and I gave it the better part of a day. To save you some time, here are the top 5 sites I utilized.

5. THE TYEE

The Tyee deserves to be on this list for one reason: It actively promotes new local talent and has a wide-enough following to matter. Notable for seeking out the lesser-know artists in the region, the publication has an extensive library of archived articles to access. Its biggest fault for our purposes, is that it's set-up like a newspaper with clumsy navigation (by the week). You can also use the search bar of course, but as we will see with many of the sites on this list, unless you already know the name of the artist or band you're unlikely to discover anything new. It certainly isn't quick and painless.

4. THE GEORGIA STRAIGHT

The Georgia Straight is usually the first place that anyone in the city checks for concert listings. As a hard-copy free weekly, its been a staple of Vancouver's nightlife for almost half a century. Now published on the web too, its site is sleek, comprehensive and easy to navigate. Many would argue that it should be higher on this list. But, like the Tyee, while the Straight is stacked with articles and reviews on indie artists, it isn't set-up to easily the discover new ones. Plus, the Straight has become a little too big for the newer bands on the scene. It's articles are usually on the larger acts.

3. SUPERNOVA.COM

Here's the thing about Supernova. It isn't local and it isn't anywhere near comprehensive enough. Having said that, it is Canadian, nationwide, and run with the mandate to provide indie bands with the opportunity to play live. Famous for its own Battle of the Bands, and a sponsor of the Vancouver Seeds Competition, there are quite a few local indie acts to be found on its site. Again, your search is primarily through a search bar, and there are no Band Listings, as such. But, finding new artists is slightly easier than the options above.

2. LIVEVAN.COM

Were it not for the design of this site I might be tempted to place LiveVan.Com at he top of the list. But, honestly, I can't stand the way it looks. Luckily, its navigation is simple and effective. Not only does this site have over 100 pages of local band and artist listings, but it also allows you to break down the search in a few cool ways. Clicking on a band name brings up a brief bio and most bands have uploaded audio clips. Definitely the fastest way to discover something new, so far.

1. RONTATRON.NET

Ronatron wins as the number one resource, not because its the best in every category but because it provides the best experience overall. Its a great looking site, with good contributors, reviews and listings. Plus, its easy to navigate, with direct links to band websites, music blogs and venues. My biggest (maybe, only) critique is that its listings aren't nearly comprehensive enough. LiveVan has way more.

I'd love to hear about where you go to find new indie bands in Vancouver, so please leave a comment and let me know. Cheers,

Ian.