Saskatchewan country artist partnering with charities in drive-in concert tour

Starved for entertainment thanks to COVID-19? A local country artist may be coming to perform in a town near you, with proceeds going to support Saskatchewan charities.

Lumsden’s Justin LaBrash was the first to try what might become a new normal in the post-pandemic entertainment world: Drive-in concerts.

LaBrash performed a show in Lampman last month that he said “went off without a hitch.” Now, he has planned a summer of touring around his home province.

The COVID-friendly entertainment series kicked off Friday in Regina. LaBrash is to play his second show in Moose Jaw this Friday in the Town ‘n’ Country Mall parking lot.

LaBrash said COVID-19 has been a bittersweet time of shifting plans and new music.

“It definitely took a big swing at me, but I was able to get back on my feet,” LaBrash said.

LaBrash said the global pandemic “completely vapourized” his summer touring plans, which were set to take the local artist from Ontario to British Columbia. It also put the musician’s recording and release plans on hold, but that hasn’t fazed LaBrash.

“I was kind of stuck at home for a couple months there and wasn’t able to do anything except write and work in my studio,” LaBrash said. “It has been kind of freeing and a good time to explore the creative side of things.”

While in lockdown, LaBrash wrote and composed an original acoustic album; he plans to perform some of those songs during his summer tour.

“It’s just me and my guitar,” he said.

LaBrash said while the tour this summer isn’t what he had planned, he’s looking forward to it all the same.

“I’ve played in a lot of different venues,” LaBrash said. “Playing in the Saskatchewan sun in the middle of July is not what I’d describe as comfortable … but I don’t think there’s anything as warm as being in an old town hall with about 500 people and old film and stage lights that you could basically use as heat lamps on a buffet.

“That’s a lot warmer than any summer show.”

The artist said he’s getting used to playing drive-in shows.

“It’s definitely different,” he said. “The first one, I was a little bit nervous and wasn’t quite sure what it would be like, playing to a bunch of vehicles.

“After the first couple songs and getting used to hearing horn honks as the applause, I was used to it and now it seems almost normal, which is odd to say. There’s something about people in Saskatchewan that they can just figure out how to have a good time no matter what.”

The unique performance outlet is a new concept some artists have started to adopt because of public health restrictions due to COVID-19. Similar to a drive-in theatre, attendees pull up to the show, park and watch the show from their own vehicles.

The music’s audio comes through a radio channel broadcasting the show, so attendees only need to turn up their radios and roll down their windows to enjoy a night of live music once again.

Brett Kissel performed in Regina on June 20 to drive-in crowds in the parking lot of Evraz Place.

“I’ve had a lot of people reach out and say it was very nostalgic for them,” LaBrash said. “I remember when I was a kid, going to a drive-in theatre with my parents. It was a really cool experience because it was different from normal.”

The change in venue does mean some changes for LaBrash as a performer, beyond adjusting to new forms of applause.

“I’ve had to adjust my show a little bit. There’s times where I jump offstage in a normal show. I like to walk around and give high fives, especially if there’s little kids at the show. I like to give them a high five, give them a hug (and) take a picture, so it’s a very different experience for me as far as connecting with the fans,” LaBrash explained.

In spite of these distances, LaBrash still feels like he can connect with those in the audience.

“There’s definitely a connection because we’re all sharing the same new, very unique time in history right now and there’s something very unifying and connecting about that,” he said. “Sometimes different is a lot of fun.”

All shows on LaBrash’s summer tour also feature a charity partner.

“Every drive-in date we decided to partner with a local charity because … with everything that’s going on, they had to cancel all their fundraising efforts for the most part,” LaBrash said.

“We figured that since we were able to find a way to get ourselves on stage, we would want to partner up and help with some charities that were in need as well.”

In Regina, LaBrash partnered with Teddy Bears Anonymous. The concert scheduled for Friday is to donate proceeds to Joe’s Place Youth Centre in Moose Jaw.

LaBrash said he is excited to play what he considers a “hometown show” on Friday.

“I live in Lumsden so I’m kind of smack dab in the middle of Regina and Moose Jaw,” he explained. “They’re both my hometowns. I took my driver’s test in Moose Jaw. It definitely feels like home to me.”