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SEARCHLIGHT! Canada's Best Venues... The Top 50 Revealed!

SEARCHLIGHT! Canada's Best Venues... The Top 50 Revealed!

Posted by Grant Lawrence on Feb 03, 2009

THE SEARCHLIGHT BEST CLUB IN CANADA TOP 50 REVEALED!

Over the past week we have collected thousands of your Searchlight votes along with hundreds of your blog comments selecting your favourite live venues in Canada... and today, we slash 64 venues off our Long-List to reveal the TOP 50!

Did your venue make the cut? Now it's time to make sure it makes the Top 20 revealed next week...

VOTE HERE (Right Click to copy this link and share with your friends!)

You can cast one vote per day. Polls close for this round on Tuesday, February 10th.

Also this week, the 2009 Juno Award Nominations were announced, and plenty of worthy Canadian artists made the list. Several nominees have reacted...

Poll Question:

DID THE JUNOS GET IT RIGHT?

Take a look at the list of Juno nominees here and let us know what you think. Who are you excited for? Who did the Junos miss the boat on?

JUNO REACTION INTERVIEWS:

The Stills

Matthew Barber

Old Man Luedecke

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  1. AlexOfAnders
    01

    Alright!

    Posted on Feb 03, 2009 by AlexOfAnders
    The Railway is still up, I was pretty sure it'd make it through at least to the second round.

    Haven't made it through the Juno list yet but Sam Roberts is nominated twice for Best Video of the Year? Sam makes a good video but there were some great videos last year, just look at the Bucky's best videos, any of those could have been there.
  2. camillia
    02

    Re: SEARCHLIGHT! Canada's Best Venues... The Top 50 Revealed!

    Posted on Feb 03, 2009 by camillia
    How did Richards on Richards not make the list?!
  3. tb3
    03

    To anyone's club who didn't make it through…

    Posted on Feb 03, 2009 by tb3
    What's your vote cost?
    I need to keep the Aeolian Hall moving on through!
  4. paintseagull
    04

    Re: SEARCHLIGHT! Canada's Best Venues... The Top 50 Revealed!

    Posted on Feb 03, 2009 by paintseagull
    Wow, I am pretty happy that The Ship is still here!!

    .. but also really confused about no Montreal venues making it.. maybe it's because they are all equally good with none that stand out?
  5. jimmyosis
    05

    Palais Royale

    Posted on Feb 03, 2009 by jimmyosis
    the Palais Royale in Toronto is a lovely venue. the name itself just oozes class. i've been there a number of times to witness some awesome shows, but the best i've seen there was Hawksley Workman back in 2004. he was loud, harsh, soft, sweet and amazing. so maybe play some Hawksley this afternoon? When You Gonna Flower???
  6. Grant Lawrence
    06

    not sure what happened in Montreal...

    Posted on Feb 03, 2009 by Grant Lawrence
    ... several clubs appeared to have split the vote and cancelled each other out!
  7. Silvorgold
    07

    Re: SEARCHLIGHT! Canada's Best Venues... The Top 50 Revealed!

    Posted on Feb 03, 2009 by Silvorgold
    Coeur de Pirate is a very surprising nomination for French nomination. I really hope that girl wins, she has so much potential. I expect Sam Roberts to win a good share of awards, he's Sam Roberts. I wish there was a post-Buckies independent Canadian awards show in Canada, with all the glitz and glamour of a Junos or (W)ECMAs


    Speaking of WCMAs, I'm excited for the WCMAs in Brandon, Manitoba this fall!
  8. Bio Spice
    08

    yes! Blacksheep Inn!

    Posted on Feb 03, 2009 by Bio Spice
    Blacksheep Inn = magic. If 'your' venue is off the list, I highly recommend that you vote for the Blacksheep in the next round.

    Others have described it in detail already on this blog, but the bands, the management, the setting, the decor, the drinks and food, the sense of humour... it's all winning.

    http://www.theblacksheepinn.com/
  9. drock
    09

    silly junos, let the music snobs take care of real awards

    Posted on Feb 03, 2009 by drock
    I'm guessing that the Montreal vote got too split. The cities/provinces that have less clubs have less of a split vote because of less choices, right?

    Speaking of which, I'll rock paper scissors tb3 for your vote (the Lo Pub)
  10. JoeGinClark
    10

    Re: SEARCHLIGHT! Canada's Best Venues... The Top 50 Revealed!

    Posted on Feb 03, 2009 by JoeGinClark
    The Still's are new group? Once again, Juno logic will break your heart!
  11. Silvorgold
    11

    Re: SEARCHLIGHT! Canada's Best Venues... The Top 50 Revealed!

    Posted on Feb 03, 2009 by Silvorgold
    and Goooooo Looooooo!

    That pub is amazing, in JUST one year, the Lo went from a new pub to a potential "best venue in Canada"! It has so much potential. Jack Jonasson has done some amazing work, and helped improve the image of downtown Winnipeg, making it a much more welcoming atmosphere!
  12. drock
    12

    my last comment about Lo, I promise

    Posted on Feb 03, 2009 by drock
    ...here is an endearing tidbit about the Lo: last time I was there (on Thurs) I was in the bathroom and found graffiti personally addressed to me from a stranger. And it was nice graffiti, not the mean kind. That sounds kind of creepy, but I was trying to get at this being an example of the community feeling one has when there.

    Also, I think Jack was looking at radio3 on his laptop behind the bar. And they were playing Black Mountain's In the Future.

    There. Vote Lo. I am done now.
  13. Colin Medley
    13

    Re: SEARCHLIGHT! Canada's Best Venues... The Top 50 Revealed!

    Posted on Feb 03, 2009 by Colin Medley
    I've never heard of the Lost Fingers. How did 'the Trew' get nominated for Group of the Year? Does ANYONE listen to them? Seriously? SERIOUSLY.

    The 'Best Alternative Album' of the year category looks decent enough, no surprises really, except for the Stills. I don't know anyone who was into that album really. Handsome Furs should have gotten their spot. Glad to see Old Man Luedecke get a nod though! Did Sam Roberts really need two 'Best Video' nominations? Eh? Molten Light should be on that list.

    Hey, Dallas from the Cons also got a nod for the Kensington Heights art... hmm, I dug the artwork for the vinyl more than the CD. I just can't get into the Arts & Crafts stripe on all their CDs, too bad they had to incorporate it.
  14. TashaDee
    14

    Oh my heart!

    Posted on Feb 03, 2009 by TashaDee
    The Junos totally missed out on Mother Mother. It's the one album I can't stop listening to - it's so embedded in my brain that I even wake up humming all the songs.

    It'd be incredibly irritating if I didn't love it so much.
  15. SChappellaz
    15

    I'm confused...

    Posted on Feb 03, 2009 by SChappellaz
    How did Nickelback get sooo many nominations? Are Juno nominations determined by sales only? Even then why would you buy a Nickelback album?

  16. AlexOfAnders
    16

    Junos, dig up!

    Posted on Feb 03, 2009 by AlexOfAnders
    The Juno's seem to have taken a small step in a better direction. I think they really need to re-name that new group thing though. Ever year there's bands that have multiple CDs, been together for years and suddenly they're a new group?

    I will be really happy if Old man Luedecke wins that category. Still don't feel like the Juno's are worth too much thought or worry yet, there's a lot of stuff I wouldn't touch with a ten foot clown pole. Although, since it's in Van, are there gonna be parties and gala's to go to? I'm always up for a party!
  17. mattyjames2001
    17

    Re: SEARCHLIGHT! Canada's Best Venues... The Top 50 Revealed!

    Posted on Feb 03, 2009 by mattyjames2001
    I don't understand how they can look at the artwork for the cons new album... and not nominate it for any other awards? that cd is unbelievably good. sums up (and sort of predicted) these economic times we live in. we gotta live on credit river.

    ps amigos made the cut. here's hoping and praying we make the top 20!
    I dare someone to go there for some amazing chiplote chicken fingers, watch a great band, and NOT vote for it! It's been awesome for 20 years. that's a pretty good lifespan for a restaurant OR a club! while i'm ranting, it's like the horseshoe of the prairies. It's the stomping grounds of Saskatchewan for young bands
  18. queencitykid
    18

    Great guests today Grant!

    Posted on Feb 03, 2009 by queencitykid
    I guess Regina has no venues that made the cut. Still, I enjoy the 'old warehouse' feel of The Exchange. And nobody beats The Distrikt for dank. Plus, the Distrikt's three sided balcony affords a great view of the stage [but it looks a little flimsy, so I don't like to sit beneath it :)]
  19. Jenelle
    19

    Nickleback

    Posted on Feb 03, 2009 by Jenelle
    I'm not surprised at all that they have so many nominations. A lot of people in Canada and around the world love them. Listeners of Canadian Indie music are still the minority. The Junos are still only the equivalent of what....The Grammy's, the American music awards? I don't know, but i'm not surprised.

    If they have DJ's and retailers on the voting committee, then part of the nominations must be on based on sales.
  20. Grant Lawrence
    20

    @Jenelle

    Posted on Feb 03, 2009 by Grant Lawrence
    Many of the top Juno categories are based on sales.
  21. SChappellaz
    21

    @ Grant.

    Posted on Feb 03, 2009 by SChappellaz
    I figured it must be sales. But after the nominations, who votes? Just record company people... radio... retailers... etc.?
  22. OneA
    22

    Re: SEARCHLIGHT! Canada's Best Venues... The Top 50 Revealed!

    Posted on Feb 03, 2009 by OneA
    Calm down now, shhhh...it's okay, I know how everybody likes to get worked up about Nickleback around here...let's just put some soothing indie in our ears and put the great Nickleback debate away for another day, okay? Sheesh.
  23. 124th Street Beat
    23

    Starlight Room?

    Posted on Feb 03, 2009 by 124th Street Beat
    Hmmmm, Blues on Whyte is fun, but a good venue?? Edmonton seems to missing a couple - namely the Starlight Room! Awesome little place. Also, moving away from the indy crowd a bit, The Yardbird Suite is one of the best jazz clubs in all of Canada. I have been away from Radio 3 a couple of weeks, so I guess I missed out on all the nomination fun. Anyway, I was happy to see the Railway Club on the list, I had many fun nights there in my Vancouver days.
  24. Grant Lawrence
    24

    @SChappellaz

    Posted on Feb 03, 2009 by Grant Lawrence
    The members of CARAS vote and decide the nominations and winners (besides the one fan one)

    http://www.carasonline.ca/

    But here's the rub... being a member costs money and unlike Polaris, labels are allowed to buy memberships and vote!
  25. mattyjames2001
    25

    Re: SEARCHLIGHT! Canada's Best Venues... The Top 50 Revealed!

    Posted on Feb 03, 2009 by mattyjames2001
    I can't be the only one, but when someone publicly states that they like nickelback, i cringe. It's not even worth discussing music with them. I mean what has Nickelback done to help the Canadian art scene?

    Jerry Seinfeld - You're not artistic and you have no integrity
  26. mattyjames2001
    26

    @ 124

    Posted on Feb 03, 2009 by mattyjames2001
    When I lived in Edmonton, the starlight was my favorite spot. Caught Frog Eyes play in front of about 20 people. Too bad the bad metal band upstairs kept interupting the quieter moments...
  27. SChappellaz
    27

    @ Grant & OneA

    Posted on Feb 03, 2009 by SChappellaz
    @ Grant : Thanks.

    @ OneA: I'm not angry/upset about Nickelback nominations. Really I'm not surprised they did.
    My question about voting was just out of curiosity.
  28. ottawateeth
    28

    Re: SEARCHLIGHT! Canada's Best Venues... The Top 50 Revealed!

    Posted on Feb 03, 2009 by ottawateeth
    The Juno awards are a joke! They're just as bad as the Grammys. 'Nuff said.

    ps
    vote for the blacksheep inn!

    pps
    long live the bucky awards and Polaris!
  29. Jenelle
    29

    @mattyjames

    Posted on Feb 03, 2009 by Jenelle
    I don't know what they have done for the Canadian arts scene, but I would like to personally thank them for making realize that I look cuter with something in my mouth.
  30. mattyjames2001
    30

    @Jenelle

    Posted on Feb 03, 2009 by mattyjames2001
    ha! A fun game to play when they're on the radio... try and count the number of 3 syllable words in their songs. It's absurdly low. They HAVE to be running out of songs.
  31. axis
    31

    Re: SEARCHLIGHT! Canada's Best Venues... The Top 50 Revealed!

    Posted on Feb 03, 2009 by axis
    We're celebrating in St George!!! Paul's Wharf made the cut!

    I am sad to see the club in Yukon didn't make it, though.
  32. savvie
    32

    @ AofA

    Posted on Feb 03, 2009 by savvie
    Parties indeed!
    Details here: http://junoawards.ca/09_weekend.php
    the JunoFest lineup hasn't been confirmed yet, but there will be shows all over the city all weekend :O)
  33. OneA
    33

    @ SChappellaz

    Posted on Feb 03, 2009 by OneA
    I'm not a fan either, but I save my scathing irrational hate for a band for AC/DC.
  34. morph1969
    34

    AMIGOS SASKATOON

    Posted on Feb 03, 2009 by morph1969
    It's agreat place to see bands that come through here. Good atmospere with cool people from a cool city.
  35. 124th Street Beat
    35

    @mattyjames2001

    Posted on Feb 03, 2009 by 124th Street Beat
    Well, the Starlite is upstairs in the bigger spot now, and the bad metal bands play downstairs!
  36. ak17
    36

    Nickelback's not so bad...

    Posted on Feb 03, 2009 by ak17
    ...when you look at the fact that the other Album of the Year nominees include Sylvain Cossette for a bunch of 70s covers (70s Vol.2) and the Lost Fingers for a bunch of 80s ones (Lost in the 80s). How does covering Styx or Soft Cell warrant "Best Album" nods?

    Replace the Album of the Year nominees with Alternative Album of the Year nominees, and you have a pretty good list, though....
  37. AlexOfAnders
    37

    @ savvie

    Posted on Feb 03, 2009 by AlexOfAnders
    Thanks! Sounds like there should be some good stuff going on that weekend. Wonder how one gets into that Gala dinner and I wonder what that wristband they talk about gets you into since it's more expensive than paying at the door both nights of Junofest.

    I wonder if bands like nickleback get tired of getting told they have no artistic talent or integrity. Must wear on them a little but I guess they can cry themselves to sleep in a pile of money.
  38. SChappellaz
    38

    @ ak17

    Posted on Feb 03, 2009 by SChappellaz
    Agreed. If they'd switch the nominees from Album of the Year with the Alternative Album ones it would make for a good list. Especially Hawksley Workman... I'm a big fan.
  39. adreamer
    39

    Ode to the DREAM

    Posted on Feb 03, 2009 by adreamer
    One of life's little treasures,..cozy, the bestest of musicians, and the audience always there "to listen". SMALL VENUE, HUGE TALENT, the Dream is my vote.
  40. loweeda
    40

    Junos, venues, etc

    Posted on Feb 03, 2009 by loweeda
    As usual there are a lot of acts on the Juno list that i don't listen to or care about , but I was really happy to see DL Incognito on the list for best Rap Recording. After hearing Grand Scale (which seriously kicks ass) on a podcast a few weeks back I had to seek out more from him, and I think that whole album is fantastic. Thanks for the heads-up to a great new talent!

    Oh, and *cough* vote the Lo! *cough* Lo pub! Lo pub! Best venue in Canada!
  41. lindsey.who
    41

    Junos

    Posted on Feb 03, 2009 by lindsey.who
    I'm excited about quite a few of the nominations.
    Coeur de pirate was nominated for best Francophone album and the nominees for the Alternative category look pretty good too.
  42. claven
    42

    Nockelback? Seriously??

    Posted on Feb 03, 2009 by claven
    A few years ago, my now mother-in-law asked my partner if I would like Nickelback tickets for xmas, thinking "Jack likes music. He must like Nickelback because they're so popular".

    I fucking hate Nickelback. They are everything that is wrong with music, and the fact that they got 5 nominations just proves that the Junos are an irrelevant label suckoff. If awards shows need to exist (which I would argue they don't), they should hand out their meaningless awards based on artistic merit and not on who's marketing department did the best job making people sick of their band.

    And where is "Kensington Heights" by the Constantines?? That album is in my mind one of the best albums of the decade.

    Having said that, it's nice to see Plants and Animals get a nod. They played here at the Lo last March and it truly was magical.

    Sorry for the vitriol - I just hate Nickelback with an unwavering passion.
    Jack
  43. MoniSki
    43

    Re: SEARCHLIGHT! Canada's Best Venues... The Top 50 Revealed!

    Posted on Feb 03, 2009 by MoniSki
    well i'm happy that Sam Roberts got some noms :) That's exciting... and I really hope Plants and Animals win! I'm not a huge fan of the Juno's though..... when a band like Hedley is nominated.... then I question the artistic content being judged and who judges it...

    but maybe that's me just be a music snob... :)

    oh and Starlight made the cut! woohoo!
  44. duoglide
    44

    junos

    Posted on Feb 03, 2009 by duoglide
    Umm, isn't this the third year that Hedley has been nominated in some capacity for the same album? An album that came out in 2006?
  45. duoglide
    45

    junos

    Posted on Feb 03, 2009 by duoglide
    Umm, isn't this the third year that Hedley has been nominated in some capacity for the same album? An album that came out in 2006?
  46. drock
    46

    Re: SEARCHLIGHT! Canada's Best Venues... The Top 50 Revealed!

    Posted on Feb 03, 2009 by drock
    coeur de pirate, immaculate machine and weakerthans all playing my favourite songs in the same set? thx grant!
  47. aaz
    47

    free bourbon

    Posted on Feb 03, 2009 by aaz

    everyone who votes for the times change(d) high & lonesome club every day gets a free shot of bourbon. i shit you not. oh, wait, that's kind of how it is everyday...

    josco
  48. SChappellaz
    48

    Between the Beautifuls...

    Posted on Feb 03, 2009 by SChappellaz
    is the Hawksley Workman album nominated.
  49. mattyjames2001
    49

    @ claven

    Posted on Feb 03, 2009 by mattyjames2001
    I KNOW! Kensington Heights is SOOOO good. It's going to go down with Music at Big Pink, Harvest, Blue, and all the other great Canadian classic albums. A great band at their greatest. It's almost criminal it's being neglected so much. I guess it's too bad Hard Feelings is the single, and also probably the weakest song on the album. (which doesn't mean it's not a great song... some peoples love isn't strong enough! c'mon. that's a great lyric)
  50. loweeda
    50

    Re: SEARCHLIGHT! Canada's Best Venues... The Top 50 Revealed!

    Posted on Feb 03, 2009 by loweeda
    Jack! Don't let those bourbon-swillers (and I mean that in the nicest way possible) at the Times Change(d) resort to cheap bribery to get votes! The Lo is above that kind of petty vote-grabbing! But, um, if you offered free shots everyday too, I sure wouldn't say no. Just sayin...
  51. OneA
    51

    Grant

    Posted on Feb 03, 2009 by OneA
    Do you guys have a list of blackout words you're not allowed to say? I suggest adding Nickleback...all this anger just makes Canadians look bad, and directed at other Canadians no less!
  52. OneA
    52

    Re: SEARCHLIGHT! Canada's Best Venues... The Top 50 Revealed!

    Posted on Feb 03, 2009 by OneA
    On the other hand, yay free speech and all that.
  53. TheRadioHead
    53

    @josco

    Posted on Feb 03, 2009 by TheRadioHead
    That's stepping out on a limb, it's not like our fingers are dipped in ink, or anything...

    I'll be there to cash in when James and the Minglers are playing!
  54. AlexOfAnders
    54

    Damn and I love bourbon

    Posted on Feb 03, 2009 by AlexOfAnders
    Hey Grant, do you guys contact all the venues listed here or are they left to find out about this on their own?

    I might have to contact the venue I'm championing if you guys don't contact until the list is shorter...
  55. Christina T
    55

    Zaphod's 4ever

    Posted on Feb 03, 2009 by Christina T
    Lots of good memories from Zaphod's, where else can you get a Pan Galactic Gargle Blaster??
  56. Adam Michael Newton
    56

    The Habitat!

    Posted on Feb 03, 2009 by Adam Michael Newton
    Hey Grant and listeners!
    I just wanted to shout out the Habitat for the best venue in Canada!
    I play in a "Yacht Rock" (That's for you Grant!) band called Yukon Blonde (formerly Alphababy), based out of Kelowna BC. The Habitat's supported us endlessly through out the 4 years we've existed and done really good things for such a small town from the interior. Check them out www.thehabitat.ca
    cheers!
  57. josco
    57

    i'm out on a limb everyday...

    Posted on Feb 03, 2009 by josco
    i've poured over 150,000 shots of bourbon in the last eight years. i'm out on a limb everyday, buddy. i'm just curious as to how many people are reading this...
  58. TheRadioHead
    58

    Well, I've done my time there

    Posted on Feb 03, 2009 by TheRadioHead
    And you ain't ever poured one for me, so I'm due.
  59. ccz
    59

    you know what else you're due for?

    Posted on Feb 03, 2009 by ccz

    you're also due for a kick in the ass, because you're an embarrassment to winnipeg, chirping away on this blog like it makes a shred of difference in the world. growup, buddy...
  60. John Paolozzi
    60

    Re: SEARCHLIGHT! Canada's Best Venues... The Top 50 Revealed!

    Posted on Feb 03, 2009 by John Paolozzi
    "do you guys contact all the venues listed here or are they left to find out about this on their own?"

    We will. We're just finishing off the list!

  61. glenroy
    61

    edmonton blues

    Posted on Feb 03, 2009 by glenroy
    please, no one visit blues on whyte in edmonton to see *our best venue*. how embarrassing. we miss the Sidetrack.
  62. Jennifer Van Evra
    62

    @ AlexofAnders

    Posted on Feb 03, 2009 by Jennifer Van Evra
    Yep, all of the venues were contacted as soon as the long list was announced! They're getting regular updates at each step in the competition, too.
  63. TheRadioHead
    63

    @ccz You're right, it doesn't make a shred of difference

    Posted on Feb 03, 2009 by TheRadioHead
    But clearly you are very invested in what I have to say.
  64. qt
    64

    Don't flatter yourself, RadioFace!

    Posted on Feb 03, 2009 by qt
    Enter Comment Here:
  65. copperloks
    65

    Searchlight! Starlight!

    Posted on Feb 03, 2009 by copperloks
    Alright Starlight!

    http://www.janebond.ca
  66. estoman
    66

    The Top 50 Revealed!

    Posted on Feb 03, 2009 by estoman
    Zaphod Beeblebrox gets the nod in Ottawa, Why even the Stones did a video there a couple of years ago when they were doing a gig in town
  67. Katrina
    67

    The little town that could

    Posted on Feb 04, 2009 by Katrina
    Almonte Old Town Hall!!
    I'm so proud the Town Hall made it on the list. Kudos to the fine people of Almonte for getting the word out!
  68. estoman
    68

    The Top 50 Revealed!

    Posted on Feb 04, 2009 by estoman
    Way to go, Ottawa. I and many other local acts have played at Zaphods many over the years. Nobody supports the local music like Zaphods. Always a great crowd for shows, fantastic staff and a hot DJ joint after the live shows. I f the stage and the Pan Galactic Gargle Blasters are good enough for the Stones, its gotta be one the best venues in the country!
    Steph R
  69. Amigo
    69

    Dream Cafe Penticton

    Posted on Feb 07, 2009 by Amigo
    Well deserved making the top 50, this place has CLASS, top notch talent with food, service and staff second to none. On top of all that the audience shows great respect for the musicians, they are there to hear the music! Nothing grates me more....great talent and creativity in front of you with an audience who is determined you won't hear it. Luckily I have NEVER experienced that at the DREAM, just magical evenings with AMAZING talent. Go DREAM Go.
  70. NEdwards
    70

    Canada' Best Venues

    Posted on Feb 09, 2009 by NEdwards
    Imagine a little bar in St. George NB makes the cut! That's awesome.

    It's the crowd that makes Paul's Wharf happening. The Charotte County crowd is known amongst Maritime indie bans for supporting great indie music. We go for the music; the drinking is secondary. The crowd is always dancing flat out. On band nights, the whole crowd will be groovin'!

    We're lucky to have a local bar that will bring in the best indie bands either from and visiting Maritimes. Way to go Paul's Wharf!
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