I first encountered live music at an airport in Austin. Then again, a few years ago in Nashville. Both times I thought it was a great idea, given Austin calls itself the “Live Music Capital of the World” and Nashville the “Country Music Capital of the World,” it makes a strong “we are serious about our music” statement!

Earlier this year, I was pleased to see musicians were playing at the Calgary airport, given Calgary is working towards becoming a music city. I assumed it the live music at the Calgary Airport was a Tourism Calgary, Calgary Arts Development and Bell Studio initiative as they are promoting Calgary as a music city.

But no. It is a collaboration between the airport and a 3-year old Calgary based software company called “Stagehand” co-founded by Derek Manns and Kiley Hykawy. Stagehand is a web platform which makes it easy for non-traditional music venues - like airports, shopping centres and business districts – to work with local musicians

Justine Vandergrift performing at the Calgary International Airport.

Stagehand 101

Stagehand is a bit like Airbnb. Airbnb allows apartment owners to behave like hotels, Stagehand enables non-traditional music venues to behave like music bookers. Here is how it works:

Artists create online profiles that include relevant information like genre, description, history, audio, video, photos, social media and more
The artists use their profile to apply to become a partner at places like the airport
The airport uses the profile to identify appropriate musicians, this may also include an in-person audition
Once the airport has a list of partner musicians they give them access to a private schedule and allow them to book/change/cancel their own performances.
Stagehand handles all the tedious administrative details like contracts, scheduling and payments and reporting

For more information on how Stagehand works contact Derek Manns: derek@stagehand.app

Award Winning

The Calgary and Edmonton International airports now use Stagehand to offer 10 to 15 hours of live music a day, rivaling the music programs at big American music city airports.

Peggy Blacklock, Manager of Airport Engagement, Calgary Airport Authority says “The Airport Authority is pleased to partner with Stagehand to offer world-class entertainment to our passengers and staff. The YYC Music Program supports our local artists, while elevating the guest experience at YYC. Feedback on the program has been overwhelmingly positive and is truly making a difference at the airport.”

Link: Stagehand YYC Video

News Flash: As I was about to post this blog, I learned the Calgary International airport won first place in the category of “Overall Customer Service Programs” for the YYC Music Program at the Airports Council International – North America’s Excellence in Airport Marketing, Communications and Customer Service Awards, in Miami.

Christina Colyn and Pat Moore performing on the baggage carousel at Stampede.

Travellers love the music

Calgary musician Ben Tagseth has a very touching story about performing at the Calgary Airport. “This fella was watching me play for a while, then walked away. He came back a few minutes later and handed me five $20 bills. He was teary and said his son is a musician and he's flying to Toronto to see him in the hospital. I was unsure of what to say, and before I could muster anything he said 'play one for him.' He patted me on the shoulder and walked away as I thanked him. A moment like that puts things in perspective rather quickly.”

Natalia Chai had a similar experience at the Edmonton airport. “I was singing Eric Clapton's "Tears in Heaven" and there was a woman who slowed down as she approached the piano. I nodded my head and smiled to acknowledge her as I usually do and she walked on. However, when I ended the song the same woman who I thought had walked to her gate came behind me and said ‘thank you so much for your beautiful soul.’ She then told me she was on her way to Kelowna to attend her best friend's funeral and the timing of me singing this song couldn't be more perfect as it helped her remember her friend and be at peace.”

Link: Global News: Stampede Visitors Love Live Music At Airport

An impromptu dance party at the Calgary International Airport.

Businesses love Stagehand

And Stagehand is not just about working with airports. This past summer the CDA worked with Stagehand to reintroduce live music on the street in a way that worked for the businesses, performers, pedestrians and bylaw officers.

Backstory: As the former Executive Director of the Calgary Downtown Association with responsibilities for managing buskers on Stephen Avenue, I know how difficult it is to audition musicians to make sure they are talented and then to make sure they don’t play too long in one place. I vividly recall how merchants hated the bagpipe player outside their door for 3 hours and the musician who only knew two punk rock songs, playing them loud and continuously for hours. I know first-hand that most business improvement districts love the idea of having buskers on the street, but managing the program is no small feat.

Marcus Trummer Band, performing on Stephen Avenue Walk.

Sonia Deleo performing on Stephen Avenue Walk

Musicians love Stagehand

They can easily go online find out what dates and time slots are available and sign up for gigs online for the next month. Artists can choose performance times convenient for them with most playing multiple times per week.

Stagehand handles all of the booking and payment details (if there is a fee) and even has an app that allows the public to pay the artists using their phone and credit card – who carries change these days! The airport gigs have become a significant source of income for many local artists, compensation coming from a combination of honorariums, audience tips and CD sales.

Justine Vandergrift who plays regularly at YYC, and is about to embark on a European tour says “playing at the airport has been a great way to get my music out there AND helps me pay my mortgage.”

And the musicians also make connections, picking up additional gigs, helping the log the 10,000 hours that author Malcolm Gladwell says in his book “Outliers” that it takes to become an “expert.”

Christina Colyn a mother of three recently restarted her music career after raising her family. “Coming back into music as a member of Stagehand and the opportunities it has opened up at YYC have provided a great way to reconnect to people through music, further develop my skills as a performer and resulted in securing work beyond the airport performances.”

“I love playing at YYC International” say Megan Dawson. “It allows me to meet and interact with so many new people. Hearing stories and feedback from everyone makes my day and I feel super lucky to be able to share my music with them.”

Many of the artists who play regularly at the airport have a long list of credentials including playing big stages all over Canada and in places like Nashville. They have worked with big stars and recorded multiple albums.

A quick glance at Stagehand’s website, shows 1200 performances at the Calgary airport since February 2019. The Edmonton Airport, who signed on with Stagehand in April 2019, has logged 733 performances (as of writing).

Link: CTVNEWs Busker Duet with Afroman at Calgary Airport

Justine Vandergrift is one the Calgary Stagehand musicians.

Last Word

Manns is now taking Stagehand international. He recently returned from the International Downtown Association’s annual conference in Baltimore where he talked to numerous potential users from New York, Charlotte and New Orleans. He is also in negotiations with several Business Improvement Districts about how Stagehand could create an enhanced buskers program for their local merchants and musicians.

Imagine if everywhere you went in Calgary live musicians were playing – the airport, recreation centres, shopping malls, hospitals and cafes, 17th Avenue, 4th Street, Inglewood, Bridgeland, East Village, Stephen Avenue, Kensington, Marda Loop, Bowness, International Avenue, farmers’ markets…need I go on?

I am thinking Calgary has the perfect venue for an amazing unique winter music festival – The +15 Music ‘Fest. Imagine, if in the middle of winter, the +15 came alive for one week with 100s of Calgary musicians playing tunes as you wandered the walkway. We spend millions of dollars each year on public art, why not spend a few dollars to foster the development of a winter music festival using the +15 system?

Stagehand could help make that happen pretty easily.

FYI: After only a few hours of posting this blog I had several email and Linkedin replies saying they thought the +15 Music ‘Fest was a great idea. Let’s make it happen.