Youth Bands to Perform at The Foundry
By Abigail Heron
For the first time ever, not only is The Foundry opening its doors to the all-ages crowd, it’s also welcoming two youth bands to the stage. AMP UP! and Cycle of Disobedience will join the likes of Thunder Bay’s The Fixer and Winnipeg’s Indigo on August 24 to make history while working to revive a reminiscent culture for oldheads.
“Most of my favourite memories of my teenage years were spent at all-ages shows at the Apollo, and later Kilroys,” says Vic Sin, guitarist of The Fixer and the show’s co-promoter. But the idea of a venue overflowing with teenagers rocking out is alien to most Gen-Zers, raising concerns for the future of local music. “We are like the most antisocial generation. We don’t have shit going on. Kids are not performing at all and it’s honestly going to make it crash and die out,” says Madeline Emmeline, lead guitarist and vocalist of Cycle of Disobedience. But some youth like her are striving for the restoration of the scene’s former glory.
“I feel very honoured to play the first all-ages show at The Foundry,” says Rory Sinoway, lead guitarist of AMP UP! His band is relatively new to the stage, but what they lack in experience is made up for in passion. “When I did [our first show], I was pretty nervous,” he says. “But when the crowd hypes you up, [it gives you] confidence.” Performing as a youth is a great tool to grow in self-assurance and get comfortable in front of an audience. “Younger acts get a chance to showcase their craft and grow as performers,” says Sin about the benefits of this opportunity for the youth bands.
AMP UP! (L–R): Landon Cronk, Everett Bouley, Connor Falshaw, and Rory Sinoway
“I think [all-ages shows are] very important for the next generations,” says Parker Krashewski, drummer for Cycle of Disobedience. “As performing kids, we all got inspiration from someone else [before us] and I think we need to keep that going throughout the rest of time.” Opening the music scene up to young people is vital for its ecosystem as a whole. It works to kindle creativity in the youth, giving those lacking a greater identity a sense of belonging, all while diversifying and revitalizing the existing community; it brings in the new as the old fades out.
“Having a youthful presence helps keep perspectives fresh and gives youngsters a sense of community,” says Sin. “All-ages shows are critical to any music scene.”
Tickets are available in advance at The Foundry and Music World for $10, or at the door for $15 for the 7 pm all-ages show. A 19+ show begins at 10 pm, for $5 at the door. For more info, check out the bands on Instagram @cycle_of_disobedience, @amp_up_band, and @thefixercanada.
