Music venues are an important part of the live music ecosystem, which is why I wanted to interview Heather, General Manager of Bond|ST, and learn more about the challenges and realities of running an independent venue. While most of my work focuses on the music industry in the UK, I wanted to explore how those same issues translate to Canada. At a time when attracting audiences and sustaining live events has become increasingly difficult on both sides of the Atlantic, conversations like this offer a behind-the-scenes look at what it takes to keep local venues operating.

If you find yourself in downtown Oshawa, Bond|ST is worth checking out. The venue regularly hosts a range of events throughout the weekend, including family-friendly programming during the day and live entertainment in the evening, making it an interesting example of how independent venues continue to serve their local communities.

Happy listening!