Keithmas keeps rolling with pandemic punches
The Odds, Big Sugar among the acts that will perform in streaming event
A Vancouver tradition, the annual Keithmas Fundrager is known for showcasing local bands playing the music of the Rolling Stones via a one-night party at the Rickshaw Theatre.
This year's edition, the 11th, is going entirely online. As usual, it will feature mostly local acts, including The Odds, Joe Keithley (D.O.A.), Bend Sinister, Rock and Roll Circus, Phono Pony, the Wild North, and Rempel and the Rousers, along with multiple-Juno-nominated Toronto band Big Sugar. We talked to one of the organizers, John Hewer, about what's new, what's old, and how Keithmas almost didn't happen.
Q Was this year's Keithmas ever in doubt?
A Oh yeah. On every level. From logistically to emotionally — the works. We were really not sure if we were going to go ahead with it. But you see more and more of these livestreams and you think, “This could maybe work.”
Q How did you arrive at the format?
A We knew the only option was a livestream. I knew the Rickshaw had done livestreams before. They did one for my kid's band (Oswald) in July. We talked to them some more and realized they're getting better every time they do it. Originally we were going to film all the bands at the Rickshaw, at different times. But then we had cancellations at the 11th hour, which also made us rethink the whole thing. Rich Hope and La Chinga, who have been with us for almost every Keithmas, unfortunately had to bow out. That was on the Sunday after the Friday when we announced the tickets. We started putting the word out and within 24 hours we had The Odds and Big Sugar. They'll be recording their sets elsewhere, as will Rock and Roll Circus.
Q Can you say anything about the songs that are going to be performed, without giving too much away?
A I won't give away the songs, but Big Sugar's going to look into the Keith (Richards') solo repertoire for their set.
Q Are you selling merchandise online as well?
A Yeah. Usually we sell a ton of merch at the event, so we are trying to fill in the gap by selling it online. We have a really cool T-shirt design and a pretty funky Keithmas toque as well. I think we've raised $85,000 so far; this year our goal was to go over $100,000.
Q Would you consider doing Keithmas as a stream again?
A I don't want to ever do it this way again. The whole thing about Keithmas is that we've built up a community. We've sold out every year for the last six, seven years running — I think Keithmas II was the last time we didn't sell out. It's a legitimate Vancouver tradition now. People show up in their old T-shirts from previous
years and line up to buy new ones. We're making the best of a bad situation. We still want to give money to the food bank, we don't want them to go without, so we're doing the livestream. I could see doing a stream in conjunction with the live performance. I think we'll see a lot of that in the future anyway. For an event like ours, it makes sense. Since it only is in Vancouver, we could now broadcast it to the world. But the fun part is being there. I really miss it. I think we're all gonna miss not having the actual event.