The Olympics have brought not just athletes and spectators into the city, but also some of Canada's top musicians. Free live music around the city means that locals and visitors alike can celebrate the Games together - with or without Olympic event tickets.

I made my way down to the Ontario Pavilion last night to see Hamilton, Ontario's Arkells perform live. Arriving hours before show time, I managed to avoid notoriously long lineups that have been seen around the city in the past week. By 10pm, the pavilion was packed with over 600 people and a line. Max Kerman and fellow Arkells members gave an energetic performance and by the end of the set, the band had the crowd shouting for more.


If you missed last night's concert, worry not! Arkells will be busy crowd-pleasing in the next few days:

• Richmond O Zone Thursday Feb 18th (tonight) at 8:30pm
• Holland Park on Friday Feb 19th at 7pm
• LiveCity Yaletown on Saturday Feb 20th at 6:30pm
  

Last night's concert was one of many free concerts taking place in and around Vancouver during the 2010 Winter Games. According to the Georgia Straight, there are over 160 free concerts. Many of the Olympic houses - including the Ontario Pavilion, Atlantic Canada House, the Maison du Quebec and the Alberta House - are showcasing great Canadian music every night of the Olympics. Talented Canadian bands like Blue Rodeo and Sam Roberts Band are performing at the LiveCity locations, which are also free to the public.

Did you follow CBC Radio's Best High School Rock Band competition in November? Contest winners This Means Nothing in Mexico will be performing live at the Richmond O Zone on February 26 at 4:45pm. Come out to the free event to support local talent.

From the files of CBC intern Niamh Scallan