The Zone @ 91-3’s Band Of The Month (BOTM) program has been ongoing since 2002 and has played a pivotal role in helping local Victoria bands get their music out there and played widely across the country.
To celebrate this year’s cast of bands and musicians, the radio station is hosting two free shows featuring some of Victoria’s best acts over the next two weeks, marking the first time they have held showcases since the pandemic.
“The purpose of the Band Of The Month program is just to give some local talent some deserving love,” said Jenny West, Zone @ 91-3 Host and BOTM Coordinator.
“It’s really hard to get onto commercial radio as a local act, it’s really hard to break through and we were finding that in order to get these bands on commercial radio across Canada, they need to have some radio play.”
West added that she has heard from several bands that having their songs played on The Zone has led to more people turning out to their shows.
“It’s great to see these local acts actually getting some love and having that stepping stone to make waves across Canada as well,” West told Victoria Buzz.
The two showcases will take place on Friday, November 8th and Friday, November 15th at the Wicket Hall in downtown Victoria.
Below are the bands that will be playing at each of the two free showcases:
- November 8th:
- Nicky Mackenzie – 8 p.m.
- Vox Rea – 8:45 p.m.
- OK Charlie – 9:30 p.m.
- Posh Coat – 10:15 p.m.
- November 15th:
- Darrian Gerard – 8 p.m.
- Vogue Villains – 8:45 p.m.
- poor sport – 9:30 p.m.
- Hillsboro (special guest and former BOTM from 2023) – 10:15 p.m.
Doors for these showcases will open at 7 p.m. at each show.
West says that although she is just the latest coordinator of the BOTM program, she feels that it is a privilege to carry the torch previously carried by the late Dylan Willows and several other on air hosts at The Zone.
“When I used to listen to The Zone, back before I was actually on the radio and I was listening as just a Zoner on the mainland, what I loved so much and what brought me to the station was the fact that they really supported local music,” she explained.
“I’m a big nerd when it comes to music discovery and there’s just something that comes from that support for local talent that makes you feel really connected to a band.”
West added that seeing a band be embraced by the listeners of The Zone—getting to see them grow and being a part of that growth—brings her so much joy.
The BOTM program features a new band every month between January and September annually.
In addition to being played on commercial radio, the local bands selected get free promotion for life (the life of the band), where any show or release they have will be boosted by the station.
Bands that want to apply for the program can do so through The Zone’s BOTM webpage, which also hosts a myriad of information about all the featured acts of the past.
Check out the free BOTM showcases this Friday and next at the Wicket Hall. West says there will be door prize giveaways for those who attend, such as free tickets to the Arkells and Death From Above 1979.
The Zone @ 91-3’s 2024 BOTM Showcases
- Where: Wicket Hall, 919 Douglas Street
- When: Both Friday, November 8th and Friday, November 15th at 7 p.m.
- Admission: Free
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