This past Monday, I checked a band off my bucket list for the low, low price of $49.00 plus tax. I know. In today’s economy, that basically qualifies as financial wizardry. The band? The Sheepdogs.
Now, if you haven’t heard of them, first of all… what are we doing here? Kindly stop reading this for approximately five minutes, go listen immediately, and then come back enlightened.
I’ve been a longtime fan, and finally seeing them live felt like a small personal victory. Their newest album, Keep Out of the Storm, has been on repeat for me lately, but my heart will always belong to Changing Colours.
The easiest way I can describe The Sheepdogs is this: if The Doobie Brothers and The Allman Brothers Band had a wildly talented Canadian love child, it would be The Sheepdogs.
They’re groovy. They’re soulful. They’re the kind of band where you can actually hear every instrument doing its own magical little thing. Every guitar riff, every drum beat, every harmony—it all matters. It’s music you can sink your teeth into. And let’s be honest, who doesn’t love a good Canadian band?
As someone who will absolutely map my social calendar around live music, this was an immediate yes. Local bands? Love them. Open mics? Sign me up. Bucket list concerts? Take my money immediately.
So, when I found out a bucket list band was literally playing in my own backyard for under fifty bucks, I was sold faster than concert merch in a medium. And honestly? There’s something elite about a weeknight concert.
A Monday night show has this magical ability to make you feel like you’re not just existing in the work-week trenches. Suddenly, your Monday isn’t emails, leftovers, and wondering if it’s too early to get into bed. It’s a full event. It’s character development.
This concert had everything I love in a night out:
- wicked cool merch (because yes, I am emotionally attached to a band t-shirt), a buzzing downtown core,
- those classic “Oh my god, I haven’t seen you in forever!” moments,
- accidentally meeting up with friends by chance,
- and of course, incredible live music.
Basically, all the ingredients for a perfect evening. And the show itself? A solid 20/10.
The music was impeccable. The energy was infectious. The crowd was into it. The band sounded incredible. It was one of those concerts where you leave feeling slightly delusional from happiness and immediately start googling their next tour dates.
I’m still riding the high. But beyond just being a great night, it reminded me why I love live music so much. When we show up to concerts, comedy nights, theatre productions, local gigs, and community events, we’re voting for the kind of city we want to live in. We can’t complain that “nothing ever comes here” if we’re not buying tickets.
Supporting these shows means artists keep coming back. Venues stay open. Downtown stays lively. Communities stay connected.
That random Monday concert? It wasn’t just a concert. It was seeing familiar faces, reconnecting with people, supporting a venue, supporting a band, and making a regular week feel a whole lot more fun.
So if you’re currently debating whether or not to buy the tickets, this is your sign. Stop hovering over the checkout button like it personally offended you.
Buy the ticket. Call your friends. Wear something fun. Get the overpriced drink. Buy the band tee. Go to the show.
Because sometimes the best memories come from a random Monday night, a bucket list band, and a very reasonable $49.00 plus tax.
