The son of Vancouver resident Scott Young posed a problem.
As a teen musician, there were few affordable places in Metro Vancouver that youth could play live before an audience and test their tunes.
As an event planner whose former bartending business was involved in the Tom Cruise movie Cocktail, Young admitted he was stumped, too.
But then he connected with someone who took his bartending seminar about 25 years ago in False Creek.
Now the co-owner of PoCo Bowl, Korina Busse offered her venue for a string of concerts on Friday nights to give the teen bands a lift and to drive traffic.
Last week, Young and his son, Wyatt, a Grade 9 Port Moody Secondary student, launched their first annual Youth Rock ’N Bowl Concert Series: a nine-week program featuring 14 young bands.
Their first set on March 7 drew a sold-out crowd, Young told the Tri-City News.
“It was really good,” he said. “The energy was electric and, though it’s a smaller place, it was a very interesting to have a live music show there.”
Young and Wyatt, 15, have lined up bands from around region to play — all with musicians under the age of 21 — in a variety of musical styles, from pop, metal and classic rock to Chinese folk rock and shoegaze, a subgenre of indie and alternative rock.
Young is also getting the teen musicians to treat their gigs professionally, meaning they’re responsible for building and dismantling their sets, and check the sound system in advance.
For ticket holders, they’re getting a cheap night out, as the $25 entry includes live music for two hours (with two bands performing) plus two slices of pizza, a drink, two bowling games and shoe rental.
“We’re excited to host this first-of-its-kind event,” Busse said in a news release. “PoCo Bowl is an all-ages, family-friendly venue that provides a fun, safe place for teenagers to go on Friday nights. And now with the concert series, we’re providing a platform for up-and-coming youth bands to perform, gain exposure and entertain their peers.”
Young and his son also have sponsors for the series: Long & McQuade and Rufus Drum Shop are providing gear and hearing protection while Live Acts Canada and Vancouver Rock Shop are giving swag and handling marketing.
The lineup
- March 14 = Whisper of Salvation with Summen
- March 21 = Complex 33 with Outer Haven
- March 28 = Deliquescent with Chinoiserie
- April 4 = Complex 33 with Oph3lia
- April 11 = Tisane with The Revenants
- April 18 = Whisper of Salvation with Peanut Patrol
- April 25 = The Coyotes with The Fangers
- May 2 = Complex 33 with Saudade
There are two show times on each night: at 5:30 p.m. and 8 p.m.
For tickets to the Youth Rock ’N Bowl Concert Series at PoCo Bowl (2263 McAllister Ave., Port Coquitlam) or information about the bands, visit the facility’s website.
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