
MANDI LEIGH BC TOUR
June 2024, Mandi Leigh took her debut album "Emotional Highs" out on tour through BC! Kicking off at the renouned Hipposonic Studios and finishing off at Revelry Music Hub in Kelowna, her 7-stop tour brought Mandi Leigh all the way to Creston, BC and back, meeting incredible people, seeing beautiful sites, and making friends alongside her Pomapoo puppy Bailey. Take a look at this page to see how it went!
A New Addiction...
Being on tour... meeting kind and helpful people, exploring new and beautiful sights with my guitar and my puppy, sharing my music and my stories with new faces and connecting with others was one of the most rewarding and fulfilling experiences. I felt more like myself being on the road than I have in a very long time, perhaps ever. This is just the beginning, the first of many journeys to explore and share.

A Magical Start...
Hipposonic Studios is a renouned recording studio located in Vancouver, BC. Owner Rob is an incredible influence in the Vancouver music scene and a huge supporter of local and original music. It was the most amazing, magic place to kick off such a wonderful and fulfilling experience. To be in that room, on that stage, surrounded by friends, family and fellow musicians, supporters, really filled my heart and set the tone for the tour. One day, I WILL record music in this space and join the ranks of all the well known and talented musicians who have created at Hipposonic Studios. Thank you, Rob.


Exploring BC
I KNEW one thing that I wanted to do while on this tour was paddleboard in Osoyoos, BC. Bailey had never been on one, had barely been a water puppy before we started this tour. She fell in LOVE with swimming in Kelowna, and it didn't take long for us to get out on the open water! I found an AMAZING, day-use public beach in Osoyoos that had no one else there! It took no coaxing to get Bailey on the board and out adventuring. Did she fall a few times? Yes, trying to bite the waves caused her to fall in more than one. Oh - and a duck she waed to chase It didn't phase her. What an adventure puppy!
​
After our paddle in Osoyoos, we continued to Grand Forks for karaoke (Thank you Dwayne for the epic duet!) and then on Christina Lake our morning coffee. We met the groundkeeper and his dog oreo, and two others that Bailey ran with for over an hour! Alas....we had to leave- we had friends to see in Castlegar!

Kelowna, BC. What a wonderful place to stop! Bailey and I hung out by the lake wheere she discovered her love for the water, and walked downtown before heading to Highway 97 Brewing for an intimate evening with guests of the hotel. The next day I drove down to Penticton to play at an open mic where I met SO MANY amazing locals who I now consider friends. They took me under their wing, spent the evening with me, invited me to participate - and play!- at a house party, fed me delicious home cooked food and gave me drinks, before I continued on to my next destination. I can honestly see myself making Penticton a home in the future not just because of the views, but because of the people I met there.
New Places, New
Friends
Further East Still...
I have a long time, dear friend in Castelgar. I was so lucky to make her and her husband's home a comfortable and AIR CONDITIONED base for my gigs in Nelson and Creston! Bailey made a Corgi boyfriend, and I thoroughly enjoyed my time in both cities. Creston, that drive through the Kootney Pass that opens up to the Creston Valley is absolutely breathtaking! Both Finley's in Nelson and Wild North Brewing in Creston had some special people there... lovely locals and long time friends alike!
The Gateway Ranch
I couldn't talk about my experience on this tour, and this next step in my journey, without a special acknowledgement of The Gateway Ranch.... located halfway between Penticton and Keremeos, this beautiful property is owned and operated by an equally beautiful lady, Shannon Coppin. Her gorgeous little get away has a fully furnished and functional Air B&B that she sometimes offers to traveling musicians. Stunning views, donkeys and chickens with farm fresh eggs partnered with unmatched piece and quiet, the time I spent at the Gateway Ranch was so special. The Gateway Ranch often hosts musical retreats, community events, Yoga and sound bowl sessions, dog training, and more at the ranch! Honestly, I am so grateful for the time I spent here while on tour and I look forward to going back there in the future. Definitely check her out if you're going that way!
Salmon Arm Lakes
Making my way back to Vancouver, my second to last stop was in Salmon Arm. Arriving a day early, Bailey and I went to local Canoe Beach where we meet three friends who shared their wine with me while the dogs played. They told me a local inside scoop for some free overnight camping and an absolutely gorgeous local lake, perfect for paddleboarding. I woke up to a CRYSTAL CLEAR, very still lake with the sun shining, made a cup of coffee lakeside, then went on an epic 4 hour paddle. Later back in town, I sat beside the community piano and sang a couple of songs with a local woman before getting ready for The Dream Cafe. This space is full of beautiful art, deliciously curated drinks, and AMAZING food... but, the best part for me was a drawing of me from an 8 year old girl who loved my music.







Reveling at Revelry
The last stop in my first BC Tour was back in Kelowna for the Greenlight Sessions - a songwriter showcase at Revelry Music Hub. This venue is..... epic! From the comfortable green room backstage to the quality of the sound to the overall look & vibe of the venue - it was a wonderful way to end the tour! I connected with the incredibly talented band Focus Your Audio who played after me and was offered a comfortable bed to sleep on for the night.



Only the Beginning...
I couldn't get enough of my experience. After this tour, I organized another mini one in August 2024 - going back to Highway 97 in Kelowna, Finleys in Nelson, Wild North Brewing in Creston... and added another venue and city-Hwy 97 Brewing in Penticton, BC. Familiar sites with familiar and new faces made the experience of being on the road feel like home even more.
​
This is definitely only the beginning.




