Tunes take over downtown

The Breakout West music festival first pulled into Kelowna in 2010, showcasing musicians from across Western Canada at downtown bars and restaurants.

Since then, it has touched down everywhere from Whitehorse to Winnipeg, but eight years later, it's back in Kelowna.

The three-day festival and artist conference begins with a kickoff party at Kelowna Community Theatre tonight, featuring performances from Halifax's Like A Motorcycle, Vancouver's Little Destroyer and Kelowna's The Wild.

On Friday, music spills out across the downtown core, with more than 60 bands playing through the weekend at BNA Brewing, Doc Willoughby's, Fernando's, Milkcrate Records, Muninn's Post, The Grateful Fed, New Arts Collective, Doja Coffee Shop, Craft Beer Market and Sapphire.

“All the artists ... have toured their market, they have significant experience regionally and in Canada, maybe some international,” said Robyn Stewart, executive director of the festival. “The opportunities here will help levitate their career to the next step.”

In addition to the shows around town, the festival includes a conference for artists through the weekend.

“The artists will meet with industry, help build their industry teams, learn important things about breaking into new international markets,” Stewart said. “It really goes part and parcel to create a whole weekend of development for these artists and setting up for career opportunities and business arrangements.”

Additionally, the Western Canadian Music Awards will be held Saturday at the Delta Grand Hotel. Locally, Andrew Judah, Tiger Moon and Ben Klick will be representing Kelowna.

A wristband to get in to all the venues, not including Thursday's kickoff show, is $15.