Calgary ‘first in the world’ to try balcony concerts

When you can’t be at the front of the stage, being in a VIP suite above the action might be the next best thing.

With large outdoor concerts and festivals cancelled or postponed due to the distancing restrictions caused by COVID-19, a Calgary company has come up with a way to keep live music events happening safely.

Showpass has created a “Staycation” concert series using hotel rooms with balconies overlooking a central pool deck, atrium or courtyard.

Concertgoers essentially buy a room to share with their group and have the option to stay overnight after the concert. Concert series will run in a number of cities, including Whistler, Victoria, Quebec City, Los Angeles and Nashville. The concept kicks off in Calgary on July 1 at the Ramada Plaza Calgary Downtown.

“It’s like the Drive-in model, which started in Germany and spread around the world. We are launching this series July 1 and Calgary will be the first in the world to do this,” said Joel Jelinski, who heads up music-business development with Showpass.

“Our goal is to make this a win for Calgary with this concert series.”

The Calgary series includes three tribute shows: July 1 with The Hip Experience; July 4 with Fresh Horses, a Garth Brooks tribute; and July 18 with Calgary-based Pink 4reud. Ticket packages start at $75 per person based on four people to a standard double room. Deck-level views are $349 or $399 per VIP room for four (plus taxes and fees). Tickets are available at hotelslive.ca

“We’re not selling a hotel room for $300, we’re selling a VIP experience similar to what you could spend $3,000 on,” Jelinski said.

To meet social-distancing restrictions, food and beverage packages must be preordered and concert guests will have staggered check-ins and checkouts to avoid large groups.

Jelinski said the idea for the series sprung from the fact musicians have been without work for months during the pandemic and hotels are one of the hardest-hit industries.

“We wanted to create a new model that helps musicians get back on their feet and also contributes to the hospitality industry.”

The Hip Experience, a tribute band that plays the music of the Tragically Hip, will play at the Ramada Plaza Calgary Downtown while ticket holders watch from the balconies of their hotel rooms.