Local artists say Hamilton’s music scene is ‘unimaginable.’ After Junos, they hope it continues to thrive

With the Juno Awards in Hamilton this week, town is effervescent with music-related occasions however for some throughout the native music scene, there’s additionally uncertainty about what occurs subsequent.

“Everybody’s waving their flag and supporting when the Junos are here, but what about the years when they’re not here?” says longtime report retailer proprietor Mark Furukawa.

“I think we’ve got one of the best, most intimate, vibrant music scenes in the world,” mentioned Furukawa, who owns Dr. Disc on Wilson Street, simply down the highway from TD Coliseum the place the awards shall be held on Sunday.

But as town celebrates, Furukawa hopes there’s assist past the Junos.

“There has to be a plan,” he mentioned.

Branding Hamilton as a “city of music” has been prevalent within the lead as much as the awards, with feedback from elected officers like Mayor Andrea Horwath and occasion organizers, and a advertising push at Tourism Hamilton. But does it match that label?

Local music scene took a success throughout pandemic

The native music scene is a tight-knit, numerous group the place there’s all the time somebody who is aware of somebody, and the place you will be accepted regardless of the place you come from, mentioned Furukawa.

He moved to town over 35 years in the past and mentioned the scene has modified drastically in that point, from roots of blues and rock to now that includes extra numerous and digitally-influenced music.

The group has remained robust and shut in distinction to larger cities like Toronto, he added, and even in comparison with municipalities of an identical measurement like London, Ont., the place Furukawa began his music profession.

“I found it a lot more transitory where people would just be in the city just for school at Western [University], for example, and then they’d leave. But [in Hamilton] there seems to be this homegrown music community,” he mentioned.

However, London is formally a “city of music” in keeping with UNESCO, which implies it has an “ongoing commitment to continue developing and strengthening” its music sector, in keeping with the London City of Music website.

Artists with more moderen connections to town really feel the identical means. James Favron, who arrived in Hamilton in 2021, mentioned the native music group “is incredible.”

Favron, who’s a hip-hop artist born and raised in Toronto, mentioned the music scene in Hamilton is one which makes music for the love of it, however the previous few years have been tough.

“We’ve lost a lot of music venues because of COVID, unfortunately, and so that’s made it really hard,” he mentioned.

Closures lately embody the beloved venue This Ain’t Hollywood, which closed mid 2020, the Casbah in early 2025, adopted by the short-lived Vertagogo on Main Street East.

Members of the general public may help maintain the sector, nevertheless, mentioned Favron.

“When you see stuff happening, go out, buy tickets, support your local artists,” he said.

Finding an audience

Nim Agalawatte, a bass player in the band Basement Revolver and the artist behind Sounds of Separation, said they’re hopeful the music scene in the city will continue to thrive, but also said the public needs to show up.

“People complain about the truth that we’re shedding venues. But then I believe ‘effectively, all of the people who find themselves speaking about that, what number of reveals did they really go to throughout the final yr or two?'” they said.

Agalawatte, who has lived in Hamilton for 12 years, also said finances likely play a big part in less people showing up.

“It’s onerous for anybody to justify spending cash on something,” they said. “But what’s robust is then that has a knock-on impact for the performers.”

‘People still want live music’

Paulo Leon, a born-and-raised Hamilton musician and owner of Andthenyou, an underground venue on Main Street, said the shutting down of live music spots has been “a blow” to the scene.

“Despite that, now we have such an incredible scene of punk rock and native hip-hop, together with simply, like, the artwork scene,” said Leon.

“It’s onerous like seeing all the opposite people closed down, and being like, ‘Oh my gosh, when’s our time coming?'” he said.

Leon, 25, said “retaining your finger on the heartbeat” is important to be aware of how the scene evolves.

He also hopes that after the Junos are gone, Hamilton is not left “within the mud.”

Solutions for support

Leon and Furukawa both said the city needs to invest in funding for venues that will help them stay open and offer local musicians the opportunity to perform.

“What could possibly be bolstered is native authorities assist, [such as] lease subsidies for stay music venues,” said Furukawa.

“But there need to be extra initiatives. It’s simply tougher and tougher for musicians to make an inroad.”

The city said it is expecting a $12-million spending bump at local hotels, music venues, bars and restaurants for Juno week. Dozens of events are taking place over several days, with nearly 70 artists playing more than eight different venues for Junofest alone on Friday and Saturday nights.

Programs like the 2026 MusiCounts Industry Exchange will support local artists specifically. The program is supported by the city and provides Hamilton-area educators and “rising artists” with access to the Junos and industry workshops, allowing for Canadian music to be promoted in schools and local talent to gain contacts and knowledge. Favron is one of those selected this year.

Director of tourism and culture with the city Lisa Abbott said there are many opportunities for local musicians to apply for during Juno week including JunoFest, “native live shows and occasions, and industry-focused initiatives like Legacy Lab and Women Behind the Sound.”

She also said the city is going to do its annual review of the musicians’ fair wage policy and a review of the street performance policy.

The city also has its City Enrichment Fund which, while not exclusive to musicians, includes support for “the creation and presentation of labor by artists and humanities collectives.”

Olivia Brown, the singer, songwriter and bass player in the alternative-funk band Junestone, is another artist in the MusiCounts program this year. She agrees there should be specific support for artists and to help keep creative spaces open.

“I really feel like they need to be pondering actually as far out as doable,” said the Hamiltonian. 

“We wish to be sure that there’s stuff occurring in these neighbourhoods. So let’s open the doorways for individuals to brainstorm.”

Brown, 32, has been making music since she was a child in Hamilton. She said it’s been inspiring how the scene has stayed strong.

“People nonetheless placed on reveals, new venues open. People nonetheless need stay music,” she said.

The 500-capacity Bridgeworks, which opened in 2021, showcases local and touring headliners regularly and is often full. When Sous Bas closed in 2022, Andthenyou opened in its space. More recently, Casbah’s Brodie Schwendiman helped launch new downtown venue Ridiculous, where there will be live music this weekend.

“I believe for it to remain a music metropolis, we have to simply maintain creating area for stay music to occur. We must be sure that we create area for music classes to occur and music schooling to occur,” Brown said.

Over at Dr. Disc, Furukawa has a similar feeling.

“There’s this actual group collaborative spirit [in Hamilton],” he said. “And perhaps that comes from town being very small compared to Toronto the place now we have this kind of underdog mentality.”

“We’ve bought to stay collectively.”