When it comes to arena rock, music critic says Calgary is number 2 and that's OK

It only hurts to be number two in a concert market if you're the sort of music lover who thinks only (audience) size matters, according toYYCScene editor and publisher Mike Bell.

The longtime bard of the city's music scenesays Calgarians looking for some music need to quit whining aboutthe acts that are bypassing Calgary these daysin favour of Edmonton.

Recent acts includeLady Gaga, Bruno Mars, Ed Sheeran, Guns N'Roses and Beckall of whom have recently bypassed Calgary in favour of performing gigs inEdmonton.

By and large, Bell told theCalgary Eyeopenerthatthe problem is that Calgary's larger concert venues can't compete with Edmonton's at the moment particularly when it comes to hockey arenas.

Calgary'sSaddledome, built in 1983, falls short when competing with Edmonton's nearly $500-millionRogers Centre, which just opened in 2016. They seat about the same amount, but saddle-shaped roof with a large jumbotron can lead to problems hanging items, like heavyspeakers.

"The big reason is the big old Saddledome," he said. "It's an old building andthe roof is not good andsome of the bigger shows can't fit in there with all the equipment they have.

"We're missing out (on shows) becausethey have a big, shiny new building in Edmontonand they've put a lot into trying to get acts in there and that's a big part of it."

Commonwealth stadium draws from across province

With stadium shows, such as a recent Guns 'n Roses concert, McMahon Stadium can't possibly compete with Commonwealth Stadium. Itholds in excess of 50,000 people,which allows the band to compress its Alberta footprint into a single destination.

"We have nothing comparable to Commonwealth Stadium," Bell says. "They know they're going todraw from Calgary, they're going todraw from Red Deer,and probably Lethbridge,so hit oneplace andhit it big."

While a portion of Calgary concertgoers are nursing bruised egos over being supplanted by Edmonton as Alberta's go-to concert hub (give or take sevenGarth Brooks concerts that he's currently performing at the Saddledome), Bell maintains that Calgary's music scene is actually quite strong if you know whereand when to look for it.

"We do a pretty good job with Sled Island," he says.

"And our festivals during the summer.It's outrageous how you can go weekend toweekend toweekend [and there's another music festival to attend in the summer]. [There's] Country Thunder a big, big country music festival. [But]I think Sled Islandis an absolute treasure in this city andwe should be proud andtry tosupport it."

Arena rockers take the money and run

Bell also pointed out that arena rock shows earn the city very little bang for the buck.

"They come in, they get out, they take the money out," he said. "[Why not] support the festivals that are here support the people trying tomake a difference here. There is culture here to be found,youjust have to look for it."

He also expressed optimism that sooner or later, the tide would turn back in Calgary's favour, with regards to arena rockers.

"When [Calgary Flames President] Ken [King] gets his new building [arena], I'm sure we'll do well."

With files from theCalgary Eyeopener

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