'It pushes you as a musician': Saskatchewan performers prepare for annual Band Swap

Music fans in Regina and Saskatoon are getting ready for the annual Band Swap shows in both cities this weekend.

Musicians in the two cities can sign up to be placed in random bands of five or six members and then be given 24 hours to prepare a 20-minute set that will be performed to a live audience.

Scott McGregor and Jason MacKinnon are the main organizers of the event. McGregor is helping organize the Regina version, which will be performed on Dec. 27 at The Exchange. MacKinnon is with Band Swap Saskatoon, which will be held at Amigos on Dec. 28.

In past years bands have chosen to perform covers, but they can debut original songs as well. There are no rules to how songs can be performed.

"I saw a rendition of Careless Whisper that was seven minutes long and that was one of the most incredible performances that I've ever seen," said MacKinnon.

"If you wanted to do a 20-minute crooner rendition of Never Gonna Give You Up by Rick Astley, you are free to do that," said Scott. 

Applicants do not need a strong musical background to participate. For MacKinnon, the opportunity to learn from more experienced counterparts is one of the key draws of the event.

"It's really fun because I think it pushes you as a musician, and everyone there is trying to make it as comfortable as possible," he said. "And I've never been in an experience where not everybody was not 100 per cent supportive of everyone."

"If there is any member that is lacking in any ability or is nervous, the rest of the bandmates are really good about keeping the vibes and the attitude really positive," said McGregor. "It's all for a good cause, it's all for fun, so it's not that important that you're an absolute master on guitar or drums or whatever."

Both events will donate their proceeds to local charities. In Regina, the money will be given to Carmichael Outreach, which provides services to people experiencing homelessness, and Girls Rock Regina, which runs a music camp for teenagers. In Saskatoon, the proceeds are going to the Jill Mack Memorial Scholarship —  $5,000 for a woman or non-binary Saskatchewan high school graduate to attend a Canadian recording arts school to develop professional sound technician skills.