Our Thoughts

Booking your first show can feel overwhelming, but it doesn’t have to be. We interviewed some of our most successful monthly tenants—bands who’ve played for over a decade, gigging across Canada and the US—to bring you this real-world guide. Whether you’re just...

Thank you for the invitation by City of Hamilton, Kelly and Brett had the incredible opportunity to attend the 2025 CMAO (Country Music Association of Ontario) Awards – and wow, what a night it was! The energy, the talent, and the sheer love for country music were...

If you're a musician looking for paid gigs in Hamilton, you're in the right place. Main Stage Rehearsal Studios is building a local artist referral list for solo performers, bands, and music teachers who want to play more shows and get paid for their craft. Whether...

We have a ton of gear at Main Stage, but each of our staff has a favourite piece they’d totally keep to themselves if they could. Here are 5 pieces of gear that our team secretly loves—and doesn’t really want to share. 🎛️ 1. Kelly: The Zoom PodTrak P8 Mixer in the...

Post-production is where raw recordings are transformed into polished, professional tracks — it’s an essential step that brings clarity, balance, and impact to your music. With the launch of our brand-new Production Room, Main Stage is now a complete creative...

Last month, thanks to the City of Hamilton’s Creative Industry and Cultural Department, our VP of Finance, Kelly, attended the Hear and Now in-person conference where the Canadian Live Music Association (CLMA) released the first-ever economic impact assessment of...

When it comes to drumming, James Beck knows his stuff. A drummer with over two decades of experience and a passion for METAL, James has been rocking the Main Stage Rehearsal Studios in Hamilton since May 2023. Influenced by legends like Joey Jordison, John Bonham, and...

Hamilton’s Main Stage Rehearsal Studios recently celebrated a huge success, winning the “Best Use of Music in Real Estate or City Planning Award” at the globally renowned Music Cities Awards, held during Riyadh Music Week in Saudi Arabia. This award recognizes...

At Main Stage Rehearsal Studios, our Open Jams turn musical passion into real opportunities. One attendee, a local journalist, Janice Thiessen, shared how these events transformed post-concert blues into a journey of growth, connection, and performing on Hamilton...

Main Stage Rehearsal Studios has done it again! Justin Dobbin, president and co-founder and Kelly Ng, vice-president of finance and co-founder, have been nominated in The Music Cities Awards 2024 contest, which acknowledges and rewards the most outstanding...

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=iTCWTMDDpt8 Watch as we receive the Young Entrepreneurs and Professionals Award! Receiving the Young Entrepreneurs and Professionals Award at the 40th Annual Outstanding Business Achievement Awards is an incredible honour for Main Stage...

This month, we had the pleasure of sitting down with two of our monthly studio tenants, Killotine and Loversteeth, who will be performing together on September 7th at Doors Pub! We took this opportunity to gain some insight into what it's like to be a band in Hamilton...