Music Waste is an independent, non-profit music + art festival held annually on the unceded traditional territories of the xʷməθkwəy̓ əm (Musqueam), Skwxwú7mesh (Squamish), and səl ̓ílwətaʔɬ/Selilwitulh (Tsleil-Waututh) Nations. We are totally volunteer organized and run.
Music Waste first took place on a single night in 1994 as a sort of protest against the more corporate and exclusive Music West festival. Despite the odds, we won: Music West (aka New Music West) died out in the early 2000s, while we’ve continued thriving in spite of the Vancouver real estate industry’s best efforts to wipe out the cultural underground. Music Waste exists to build community within the local DIY scene, amplify underrepresented artists and performers, and throw some really good parties.
Today, the Music Waste festival takes place over four days in early June. We receive hundreds of music submissions each year from almost any genre, and typically present a lineup of 70-80 bands. With the addition of Art Waste and (sometimes) Comedy Waste, we now also showcase visual artists and comedians in a variety of experimental formats.
Music Waste can’t exist without the support of it’s community, and it’s important to us to serve that community the best we can! You can view our Community Commitment strategy below:
Music Waste Festival Community Commitment Strategy
Your 2024 Music Waste Organizing Committee is…
Middle: Naomi, Audrey, Gabby
Front: Raasika, Nicole, Lee, Haleluya
Special thanks to the Music Waste Community Council for your guidance and many genius ideas.