Backyard Music Co. Reviews 

Collingwood Songwriters Festival. Great potential! Needs some tweaking!
Loved the concept and definitely should happen again.
Tweaking would primarily be that the shows should be staggered throughout the day to give guests the ability to actually hop from venue to venue - we managed to squeeze in 4 spots but it’s hard to leave half way through an artists set - especially if you’re enjoying it - but also don’t want to miss out on others. We found the time gap in between sets this weekend was too far between.
The wrist bands seemed like a waste as there weren’t checks on entering and we noted many people without them. (Those that went to “eat and drink” an hour before the set and then stayed through) Staffing was a definite issue, not sure if that was venues lack of preparation.
Luckily we had fantastic weather but what happens when we don’t? Not enough room to cram everyone inside.
Those that spent extra on VIP - was it worth the extra $$? Those I chatted with said no.
All in all, the music and vibe of it all was fantastic but the planning and execution needs serious work.
Please come back and try again, would love to see this an annual event.

Great To See Live Music!

It was a great attempt in Collingwood & can't wait to see where it grows next year!

So many people are excited to see live music- but the venues chosen were too small for the number of people there- which caused issues with food & drink service. Venues need to ensure that they are overstaffed for these events next year.

It would have been nice to see in the emails from the organizers the names of the performers playing in the various locations so we knew where to find folks on the Saturday & then could follow them on social media and streaming platforms later. At some locations it was very hard to hear them introduce themselves. Signs telling us their names would be great too!

This event was a blast from start to finish. The all day format at different venues kept the festival flowing. there was a gap between 4and 6pm which maybe could have been filled but I am not sure if that was the choice of the different venues. For a first time event , it was very well organized and the talent was exceptional. Can't wait for next year.

We had a great time and visited 4 of the venues. Our takeaway was that no one appeared to be checking wristbands upon entry which made us feel like we paid for the experience but many others did not.
Also, when the performances are long, we need something more sturdy than pic nic tables to sit at for 4 or 5 hours. Some venues were noticably too small. Side Launch had the most space, but it was tough to navigate the crowd to get to the bar and there was no table service...maybe not a bad thing we didn't drink nearly as much!! LOL. BUT they lost out on some solid revenue. Also, if the weather is not as nice next year the venue choices need to be really well thought out. And if I am being really picky, after paying for two weekend passes it is unfortunate to have to pay for parking at The Village.

I wasn’t sure what to expect and I so enjoyed it!! It would have been 5 star but the sound system was poor. You cannot amplify the whole room with 2 speakers at the stage! You need two more midway for mid to back
It was way too loud the first half as we were up front and everyone else was saying the same. Sound is one expense you MUST not cheap out on. It can make or break a show

First the artists were absolutely incredible! I especially loved the event at the barn I’m grateful I got to experience that. The organizers like Scotty and others whom I do not know their names also were very responsive to emails and worked hard to make sure things went smoothly.

Some feedback:

The spaces chosen for ex Bellows were too small for the amount of people so we didn’t get to enjoy that place. Having to be turned away or standing on the sidewalk wasn’t ideal. Secondly, not being able to enjoy food at the event at bent taco was not ideal either. We came to the event hungry, not having eaten lunch, but weren’t able to eat because we wanted to make sure we got our seat where the performers were going to be. They told us zero food service back there. If we had known there would be no serving or food allowed where the artists were we would’ve ate before we came. We fully intended that we would drink eat and watch the artists but that restaurant they wanted you to do that at the table and then go to the back and watch the artist. well we wouldn’t of had a seat to sit on. We got to the event on time and had to go back there to procure a seat. So we didn’t have lunch and were hungry until dinner. They could’ve planned to at least offered two or three items for those who were sitting near the artists on the grass, for example, guac and chips, sliders, or whatever else they could’ve served that’s easy and could use a basket instead of dishes and allowed us to eat in the back. I thought next time maybe having a lot more bars involved like it is in Nashville would solve that problem of the places been too full ThankYou for the event and all the hard work! It was wonderful other than a few of these things.

First off, looking forward to the list or artists from the weekend, the artist did not disappoint. Artists/songwriters were awesome. Great energy and talent.

Stage at Kaytoo did not have great sight lines. Drinks were not cold there.

October 3rd to October 5th. The service at the venues was very disappointing. Service was under staffed, long wait to get a drinks, our food order was forgotten by at Kaytoo and at Black Bellows. This is a horrible reflection on the event coordinators and the management at bars. Some inconsistency in the mixed drinks

tails at Black Bellows, same drink came different 3 times, unacceptable.
Definitely some improvements to make for the next festival. Extremely fortunate for the good weather. The event would have been a disaster in the rain.

We had a blast as a group. However the venues were not adequate for this aside from side launch.

Bent taco didn’t have enough seating or enough staff. Only 3 bathrooms left you in long lines and ran out of beers.

Black bellows asked for numbers we put ours in then we’re seated inside when the artist were outside…

The artists were wonderful!

Amazing lineup of musicians and great mix of performances and venues. When’s the next one??!!

The evening itself was fabulous—I especially loved the Duntroon and Sidelaunch parties. That said, the number of emails felt unnecessary and overwhelming. Once we registered, the constant flow made something simple feel unnecessarily confusing, and I heard the same feedback from many others.

Another point: I would have liked to see more women represented. Let’s make sure more space is given to diverse voices in the future.

Great experience. Great young artists. Well organized for a first time wider event. I’d go back. Sidelaunch Saturday was amazing. Next time, way fewer texts/emails, bring more artists - heard the same songs many times, make sure the sound mix picks up guitar and voice inside the venues, and ensure venues
are ready for crowds. Those poor bartenders at Kaytoo Friday. Way understaffed.

First time first us and we loved it. What a great idea. All venues were intimate settings where you can meet the artists while hearing amazing music. One artist said "we don't get lots of opportunities to play our own songs (covers pay the bills), so we love this too."

We just spent the weekend in Collingwood going from many fantastic venues. What an incredible event with a multitude of incredibly talented musicians and artists. We truly hope this comes to Collingwood again . We are following as many of the artists that we can , in the hopes to keep hearing them ….
Thank you Scotty for all you did to organize this event .

It was ok. It would be nice to see a couple singers that sing together a bit. The denial singer was “ok”. The male singer was really good.

We’ve been to Nashville 12 times, and have attended Tin Pan South - the songwriters’ festival on many occasions. We really like the format of songwriters doing “rounds” - telling the story of how each song got written, and any subsequent history with that song - and then they perform it. So it was really exciting to learn that someone is bringing that format to our own neighborhood! The venue (GL Heritage Brewing Co in Amherstburg, ON,) with a BBQ food truck, and delicious beer on tap, in a large outdoor tent, was fun. I hope the format takes hold, and if it does, perhaps we can entice some better-known singer-songwriters to make the 10 hour drive/flight from Nashville. I am aware many “mid-level artists” will do backyard concerts. You never know who might say “yes” until you ask. But discovering, and then following new artists is half the fun! We really enjoyed it. We hope to see more coming this way! Thank you!

We loved the entertainment and the venue. But the food was horrible. Waited 1 hour and 10 min for a sloppy burger that wasn’t cooked thoroughly and hung out on all sides from the bun. Asked for no sauce and it was smothered with bbq sauce. Next time will eat elsewhere before the show. Big Mac BBQ was a huge disappointment!!

Last night’s Backyard Music at GL Heritage was absolutely incredible! Perfect fall night with amazing soulful and fun music from Scotty, Connor and Stephen!

We were not expecting the level of talent these 3 musicians have. Scotty, Connor, & Stephen were extremely fun and so talented. We will be looking for more Backyard Music events. Thank you

The concert was cancelled. I had to find this out on my own. I bought 4 tickets in August and still have Not been refunded. Even after numerous emails with no response. I am extremely disappointed with this company. Feels like I’ve been scammed!!