by Melanie Macpherson
Since opening its doors in 2014, the Capitol Music Club has become a vital part of the thriving Saskatchewan music scene. Located in the heart of downtown Saskatoon, the cozy venue is the perfect place to eat, drink and experience intimate live shows. This May, the Capitol is throwing a 9th Anniversary bash that boasts a full month of events including eight big shows and a customer appreciation night to kick it all off.
*Ben Worchester (left) and Tyler Bancroft (right) of Said the Whale performing at Chester Fest Couch + Music Festival in 2021 (pics by Scott Roos)*
Co-owner Mitch Lupichuk is psyched for the month-long celebration. The Capitol has been a labour of love for Lupichuk and co-owner Leot Hanson from the beginning. Lupichuk and Hanson and a group of friends frequented the iconic Lydia’s Pub on Broadway, and when they realized it was going to close, they pooled their resources to try to save it. While the building was beyond hope, the group rescued the interior, including the kitchen, stage, tables and decor, and had them moved to a new location downtown. Lydia’s was gone, but its spirit lives on at The Capitol.
Capitol Fest gets underway on May 4th, with a free Customer Appreciation Night that Lupichuk hopes will be a fitting “thank you” to all of the people who have made The Capitol successful over the years. The night will include a selection of complimentary food, local performers and a variety of prizes and giveaways. From there things ramp up quickly. May 5th the banjos will be leading the charge with Shred Kelly, a folk-rock five-piece from British Columbia and Saskatoon’s own Dirty and the Perks. May 6th the volume will be cranked to 11 with Saskatoon’s GreenWing supported by Dylan Jules Cooper and Hollow Oax.
May 12th will be for all the electronic music lovers out there, with Fancy Pants Presents and a lineup of DJs. May 13th the party will keep on rolling with Juno Award-winning Vancouver indie rockers Said the Whale and high energy locals The Great Fuss. May 19th The Capitol will bring in award winning singer-songwriter Joel Plaskett for a highly anticipated and sure to sell out show. May 27th will close the whole event down retro style with an ever popular 80s Dance Party.
Two more announcements will be made in the coming weeks, and based on the shows announced so far, it's safe to say that they’ll be worth the wait. Be sure to follow The Capitol and NSMZ for upcoming announcements, teasers, interviews and reviews. Lupichuk, Hanson and the rest of the crew at The Capitol Music Club have orchestrated a month-long musical celebration that has a little bit of something for everyone. So, join the celebrations and raise a glass to nine years of great music, food, and drink at the Capitol Music Club. With a lineup of exciting events throughout the month of May, there's never been a better time to visit this beloved Saskatoon venue. Get your tickets early so you don’t miss out on your chance to Capitol-ize on this unprecedented event.
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