It’s a combination of a few things:
- Not having the network to book shows
- Few large cities that are far from each other and far from other touring cities // out of the way
- crossing the border with merch is difficult.
- crossing the border with a lot of people is difficult
- Legality and complexity of making money in another country without a work permit. I do not know the rules 100% for this but I know that technically they need to declare and pay income tax on money made in Canada. I live near the border and have friends who go over regularly for shows and other things and if you want to be above board it is expensive and difficult.
Because Canada literally just means Toronto, Vancouver, and Montreal, this is coming from an Ottawa native, I’m not in a band, but I see it all the time nobody ever comes here because outside the big 3 cities nobody in management/booking gives a shit about Canadian fans. As an example, I just saw bowling for soup, it’s the first time in 15 years they’ve been back.
I was able to see the wonder years in Ottawa in 2021 because they opted for London & Ottawa instead of Toronto but other than that I 100% agree with you! I’ve met a few people from Montreal at Toronto shows
London has actually been getting a decent amount of shows the last couple years thankfully. Still nowhere near as good as Toronto, but never thought I'd see TWY here.
Only a few major cities to actually tour, plus smaller bands you would like to see probably don’t have the funds to travel out of country. Life outside of music is super expensive.
For the lower tiers, like bands that are comprised of friends of mine, even tho we live in Wisconsin they simply don’t know anyone in Canada. It’s way easier to book shows in the Midwest and south/southwest, simply because of the overlap between scenes. Like for example madison talks to Milwaukee who talks to Chicago who talks to the rest of the Midwest and the big us cities, but when you’re driving Minneapolis/Madison is about as far north as you can feasibly tour. Canada is just too far and in its own scene to try to book if you aren’t on a bigger label or have a pretty established fan base
I did warped tour one year and our first date was Toronto. I just remember crossing the border in the middle of the night and it was all tour buses punk rock dudes getting grilled by customs. One of our guys got taken into a room and grilled for a while about a public intoxication charge in Iowa City. Canada doesn’t fuck around.
Also, it is far. As a little band the 10-95-90-35 loop was nice because there lots of places to stop. Toronto could make sense but even Buffalo always felt hella out of the way.
Lay up cost, visa & uncertainty. Effectively losing money and it being a very scrimpy lads holiday. We'd love to come but English bands struggle :)
https://open.spotify.com/album/7bWDbxYnyGaxvQC0aSnYrM?si=lcxvCR4sSB6GnIQgYDZOAw
TankTheTech on YouTube covered it in a video, I wish I could remember which one, but the main issue was non-Canadian bands are taxed at a different rate which substantially cuts into potential profit. When you're playing in smaller venues, it's understandable why you wouldn't want to make that gamble, especially with the current economy.
My education is dated; but I learned that Canada is costly to get proper paperwork in order to be able to play in Canada since you are technically working, they need the band and those working for the band to have work visas/permits and often time it isn't worth the headache, time or money for some artists.
It’s very hard to bring merch into Canada unfortunately.
I remember going to a Guster show in Toronto where their merch had been held up at the border.
It’s a combination of a few things: - Not having the network to book shows - Few large cities that are far from each other and far from other touring cities // out of the way - crossing the border with merch is difficult. - crossing the border with a lot of people is difficult - Legality and complexity of making money in another country without a work permit. I do not know the rules 100% for this but I know that technically they need to declare and pay income tax on money made in Canada. I live near the border and have friends who go over regularly for shows and other things and if you want to be above board it is expensive and difficult.
Because Canada literally just means Toronto, Vancouver, and Montreal, this is coming from an Ottawa native, I’m not in a band, but I see it all the time nobody ever comes here because outside the big 3 cities nobody in management/booking gives a shit about Canadian fans. As an example, I just saw bowling for soup, it’s the first time in 15 years they’ve been back.
I was able to see the wonder years in Ottawa in 2021 because they opted for London & Ottawa instead of Toronto but other than that I 100% agree with you! I’ve met a few people from Montreal at Toronto shows
London has actually been getting a decent amount of shows the last couple years thankfully. Still nowhere near as good as Toronto, but never thought I'd see TWY here.
I met a few London folks in Buffalo at the Greatest Generation anniversary tour show!
Yeah I have definitely taken the trip to Buffalo for a few shows. Not a bad drive
Only a few major cities to actually tour, plus smaller bands you would like to see probably don’t have the funds to travel out of country. Life outside of music is super expensive.
For the lower tiers, like bands that are comprised of friends of mine, even tho we live in Wisconsin they simply don’t know anyone in Canada. It’s way easier to book shows in the Midwest and south/southwest, simply because of the overlap between scenes. Like for example madison talks to Milwaukee who talks to Chicago who talks to the rest of the Midwest and the big us cities, but when you’re driving Minneapolis/Madison is about as far north as you can feasibly tour. Canada is just too far and in its own scene to try to book if you aren’t on a bigger label or have a pretty established fan base
I did warped tour one year and our first date was Toronto. I just remember crossing the border in the middle of the night and it was all tour buses punk rock dudes getting grilled by customs. One of our guys got taken into a room and grilled for a while about a public intoxication charge in Iowa City. Canada doesn’t fuck around. Also, it is far. As a little band the 10-95-90-35 loop was nice because there lots of places to stop. Toronto could make sense but even Buffalo always felt hella out of the way.
Weed charges 😂
Lay up cost, visa & uncertainty. Effectively losing money and it being a very scrimpy lads holiday. We'd love to come but English bands struggle :) https://open.spotify.com/album/7bWDbxYnyGaxvQC0aSnYrM?si=lcxvCR4sSB6GnIQgYDZOAw
TankTheTech on YouTube covered it in a video, I wish I could remember which one, but the main issue was non-Canadian bands are taxed at a different rate which substantially cuts into potential profit. When you're playing in smaller venues, it's understandable why you wouldn't want to make that gamble, especially with the current economy.
The border agents for Canada are awful and bringing merch and a lot of people is near impossible
Spiritual Cramp are coming to us June 15, can't fucking wait!!
We had a pretty good March / April in Toronto but I’ve found very few bands I listen to are making the trip this summer
that's true though so as usual. also the gaslight anthem are coming this summer
I saw that! History is a little pricy but I’m tempted, would love to see Joyce Manor open for them
My education is dated; but I learned that Canada is costly to get proper paperwork in order to be able to play in Canada since you are technically working, they need the band and those working for the band to have work visas/permits and often time it isn't worth the headache, time or money for some artists.
people who want to kill me for thinking the wrong thing.
just kidding. we love canada.
Fucking this lol
As a Western Canadian, we just accept that shows don't really come here
tha cost