13 concerts to check out in and around Victoria this October

The summer might be over, but that doesn’t mean that concert season is!

Victoria’s music scene is exciting all year round, and there will be plenty of international and local musical acts taking to the stage across the city this October.

This month, the city will get the opportunity to host names like Scotland’s Skerryvore, Australia’s Dune Rats, America’s Fruit Bats and England’s Paul Oakenfold, as well as showcasing Victoria’s own vibrant local music scene with shows from

And don’t forget about BreakOut West, taking place from September 30th to October 4th, which is bringing dozens of Canada’s most outstanding artists together to venues all across Greater Victoria.

For all of this and more, here are 13 concerts happening in and around Victoria this October:

Slow Leaves and Pony Gold at The Coda

Slow Leaves is the project of singer-songwriter Grant Davidson, who hails from Winnipeg.

Awarded Western Canadian Music Awards Songwriter of the Year in 2021, Slow Leaves’ folk and psych-rock inclinations, though rooted in fingerpicking songwriter tradition, remain untethered in today’s post-genre landscape.

He’ll be supported by Pony Gold.

Pony Gold comes from Victoria-based singer-songwriter Theresa Anne Bromley, whose music lives where folk roots meet alt-country grit.

Shaped by her rural upbringing, years in recovery, and devotion to real storytelling, Bromley turns hard-earned truth into timeless songwriting in her 2025 debut album High Road Reverie, produced by Leeroy Stagger.

A 2026 Western Canadian Music Award Break Out Artist of the Year nominee, Pony Gold has emerged as one of Western Canada’s promising new voices.

Tickets are $20 and can be purchased here.

• Where: The Coda, 751 View Street
• When: Sunday, October 4th – 6:30 p.m. to 8:30 p.m.

Skerryvore at McPherson Playhouse

Since 2005, Skerryvore have delighted audiences across the globe, from their early days in Scottish West Coast halls and bars, to Festival crowds in USA, Canada, Australia and throughout the UK and Europe.

Picking up the 2025 Scots Traditional Music’s ‘Live Act of the Year’ Award—for a fourth time — they have become the most decorated band in the history of this prestigious award!

They’ll be bringing bagpipes, fiddles, accordions, and whistles, alongside guitar and vocals, driving bass, drums, and keys to the stage, for a reinvention of Scottish traditional music that you won’t want to miss.

Tickets start at $67 and can be purchased here.

• Where: McPherson Playhouse, 3 Centennial Square
• When: Tuesday, October 6th – 7:30 p.m.

The Zolas at Capital Ballroom

The Zolas are synonymous with Canadian west coast indie rock.

Hailing from Vancouver, they took over radio waves with their 2016 album Swooner, and have been legends in the west coast music scene ever since.

They’re marking a decade since that supremely popular album release with a tour that hits Victoria’s Capital Ballroom on October 9th.

For fans of indie rock, this is a can’t-miss show.

Tickets are $32.50 plus fees and can be purchased here.

• Where: Capital Ballroom, 858 Yates Street
• When: Friday, October 9th – 8 p.m.

By Divine Right, Status/Non-Status and Global Fake at Lucky Bar

Toronto’s indie rock veterans hit the stage at Lucky Bar for what’s going to be a night to remember.

They’re co-headlining with Divine Right, an alternative band from Ontario headed by Anishnaabe lead singer Adam Sturgeon.

Supporting them at this show will be island locals Global Fake.

Tickets are $20 and can be purchased here.

• Where: Lucky Bar, 517 Yates Street
• When: Friday, October 9th – 7:30 p.m.

Dune Rats and Peacebreach at Studio 919

Dune Rats are a three-piece rock band from Brisbane, Australia.

They’ve been performing for more than a decade, with their newest album Old Mates, featuring tracks from their first three albums, having been released earlier this year.

The Aussies are the kings of rock music, and are always welcome in Victoria.

They’ll be joined on tour by Peacebreach, a punk band from Winnipeg.

Tickets for the show are $25 plus fees and can be purchased here.

• Where: Studio 919, 919 Douglas Street
• When: Saturday, October 10th – 6:30 p.m.

Talel McBriar and Sofia Miller at Cinderbloc Studios

Gotta give some love to the home team.

Talel McBriar is an independent singer-songwriter raised in Nelson, BC and currently living in Victoria.

Celebrate the release of the indie folk album Light the Hallway at one of Victoria’s more intimate venues, Cinderbloc studios.

Victoria-based Sofia Miller will be opening the night followed by Talel and her band performing songs off the record.

Tickets are $20 and can be purchased here.

• Where: Cinderbloc Studios, 602-D Esquimalt Road
• When: Saturday, October 10th – 7 p.m.

Paul Oakenfold at Capital Ballroom

Paul Oakenfold is, plainly put, a legend in the electronic music DJ scene.

He was given an award by the late Queen Elizabeth for being a “Pioneer of the Nation” for his contributions to dance music.

This is a great get for the Cap, and the show is going to be one of the best in October for dancers.

Oakenfold will be supported by Xavier.

Tickets are selling quickly, with only Tier 3 tickets still available. These are $50 plus fees and can be purchased here.

• Where: Capital Ballroom, 858 Yates Street
• When: Sunday, October 18th – 8:30 p.m.

Owen Riegling at Royal Theatre

Gifted Canadian country music artist and award-winning singer and songwriter Owen Riegling blends small-town roots with a modern edge that continues to resonate with fans across Canada and beyond.

After playing more than 110 dates across Canada in 2024, then some months in studio co-writing with top Nashville hitmakers, Riegling has evolved more confident and self-assured than ever.

With new music on the horizon, including upcoming single “Taillight This Town,” showing a new level of artistry, the track captures his knack for pairing relatable stories with a sound that feels both fresh and timeless.

For country fans, this is likely to be at the top of list for shows this October.

Tickets start at $52 and can be purchased here.

• Where: McPherson Playhouse, 3 Centennial Square
• When: Sunday, October 18th – 8 p.m.

Moontricks at Capital Ballroom

Based in the Kootenay mountains, Nathan Gurley and Sean Rodman of nationally renowned electro-folk duo Moontricks draw inspiration from the ongoing cycles of the natural world.

They released their debut album in 2022, and have been featured on everything from Netflix shows to Fox Sports.

They’re in the middle of a North America tour, and will hit Victoria’s Capital Ballroom on October 23rd.

Moontricks will be joined on stage by Kr3ture and Frase.

Remaining tickets start at $35 plus fees and can be purchased here.

• Where: Capital Ballroom, 858 Yates Street
• When: Friday, October 23rd – 8:30 p.m.

Allan Rayman at Encore Victoria

Allan Rayman has an incredible body of work so far, and he’s not done yet.

The Toronto based artist has delivered one head-scratching, hypnotic and heavenly project after another, including Hotel Allan, Roadhouse 01, and the unforgettable CHRISTIAN.

Along the way, he generated over 250 million streams, sold out tours in Europe, USA and Canada, and shined at festivals, including Reading & Leeds, Bonnaroo, Rifflandia and Lollapalooza, and has collaborated with the likes of Jessie Reyez, Alex da Kid and James Vincent McMorrow.

Tickets are $55 plus fees and can be purchased here.

• Where: Encore Victoria, 1415 Broad Street
• When: Saturday, October 24th – 7:30 p.m.

Cat Clyde and Dean Johnson at Studio 919

Hailing from Perth, Ontario, Cat Clyde has toured all over the continent.

She’s in the middle of a Western US and Canada tour now, and hits Victoria’s Studio 919 on October 28th.

The tour comes fresh off the release of her new album Mud Blood Bone earlier this year, and she’s bound to bring the house down at Studio 919.

Dean Johnson is joining her on the tour.

He’s an alt folk singer-songwriter from Seattle, who had a break-out debut album at age 50.

Don’t miss the two of them at Studio 919!

Tickets are $34.50 plus fees and can be purchased here.

• Where: Studio 919, 919 Douglas Street
• When: Wednesday, October 28th – 7 p.m.

Wet Knees, Belladonna, The Path, Silverlace and Feral Fairies at the Friendship Hall

Up for a rowdy Halloween celebration?

This one features several of Victoria’s up-and-coming bands, including Wet Knees, Belladonna, The Path, Silverlace and Feral Fairies.

The concert will be taking place at Friendship Hall, another of Victoria’s lesser known, but just as energetic, music venues.

The show doubles as a costume bash, so make sure to don your Halloween costume and dance the night away in that Spider-Man, Disco Snail or Heated Rivalry outfit.

Tickets are only $10 and can be purchased here.

• Where: Friendship Hall, 1110 Hillside Avenue
• When: Friday, October 30th – 6 p.m.

Blackfish and Two Man Bear Trap at Rebel Garage

Looking for plans on Halloween night?

Look no further than Rebel Garage, who will be hosting Blackfish and Two Man Bear Trap on October 31st.

BlackFish brings a fresh mix of funk, soul and rock with covers from James Brown, The Meters, Earth, Wind & Fire, Red Hot Chili Peppers and more.

Two Man Bear Trap promises to deliver an energetic set to keep the party rolling all night long.

Costumes are encouraged!

Tickets are $20 and can be purchased here.

• Where: Rebel Garage, 1 Burnside Road West
• When: Saturday, October 31st – 7 p.m.