Downtown Edmonton has a new live music venue that hopes to succeed where others have failed.
The Needle on Jasper Avenue officially opened Thursday. It will play live music seven days a week.
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“It’s a new space downtown in the heart of downtown for music lovers and musicians alike,” General Manager Wesley Littke said.
Littke said the venue has already booked acts for the next three months and it will feature a mix of well-known acts as well as up-and-coming local artists.
“It’s really just another great place for them to have an outlet to be able to play, to get their music out to guests. Edmonton is filled with a ton of great bands that are on the rise and we’re happy to be home to them as they do that,” he said.
Several other music venues in the city have shuttered the last few months. Littke said The Needle will succeed because of two things.
It is clear music is at the heart of The Needle – vinyl records decorate the walls and even hold a presence above the bar.
“It’s important for us to make sure we’re representing the very diverse and full music scene of Edmonton,” he said.
“We’re music-centric so that [affects] the way we design our building, whether it be the green room or the stage. We put a focus on the artist making sure they’re well looked after.”
Friday night’s show featuring Joel Plaskett and Borscht and Saturday’s show featuring Shout Out Out Out Out, Teledrome and Boosh! are both sold out.
Plaskett, a musician who hails from the Maritimes, has been performing at a variety of venues in Edmonton since the 90s.
He said the live music experience is something that can’t be replicated.
“Live music is…one of the few things that can’t be replaced by the digital universe, the experience of seeing it,” he said.
“The reason I started playing was to get up in front of a crowd. I’ve always liked that sharing of energy. It’s collective.”
Though it is his first visit to The Needle, Plaskett said he is a fan.
“I’m always encouraged when a new place opens because the climate can sometimes be challenging for that. But I do believe the live music experience is not something that’s going to go away,” he said.
“It takes a certain bravery for people to open a venue. Obviously the community cares about having a live music venue. I think Edmonton needed a venue of this size.”
Fans who packed The Needle on Friday night said the venue adds something to the city’s art scene.
“It’s definitely good to see. It brings a lot more people together and it’s good for the culture,” said Gowan Colley.
“It’s going to give a place where people can showcase their bands and get exposure in a really funky, hip place,” said Tricia Campbell.
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