A packed house roared with applause as the night ended with a performance of “The Night They Drove Old Dixie Down,” originally by the Canadian-American rock group The Band, covered by These Guys. (Lexi Saldana / XFM News)
Students in Fanshawe College’s Music Industry Arts program drew more than 100 people to London Music Hall on Wednesday for the program’s 16th annual Share the Land concert.
More than 15 bands paid tribute to the Canadian music industry, performing well-known songs by artists including the Tragically Hip, Marianas Trench, Daniel Caesar and Alessia Cara. The showcase gave emerging musicians, producers and audio engineers a chance to test their skills on one of the biggest stages in the city.
Konejo Girum performed a solo tribute to Windsor-born R&B singer Tamia’s “So Into You” at Share The Land (Lexi Saldana / XFM News)
Singer-songwriter Konejo Girum performed a solo set and also sang backup for multiple bands. She said that although the choreography was challenging, the night played an important role in pushing local talent.
Girum performed a tribute to Windsor-born R&B singer Tamia by covering her hit song “So Into You.”
“It was fun. I liked supporting my friends and being a part of their acts and seeing them put a vision together and have it all come together tonight,” she said.
“It showcases Canadian music, but it also shows us talent that is growing here in London. So I think it gives everyone an opportunity to see that there are musicians in London that are starting out, that have the ability to have a long career.”
Jayan Ali, the evening’s MC (Source: iamjayann / Instagram)
One of two hosts and MCs, Jayan Ali, said watching everything come together was his favourite part of the process.
“Seeing how happy everyone was, like, after the fact. Like, everyone is so positive and so nice to each other, like, no matter how you do and how you are in MIA, it’s so nice, and it’s just, the whole community of it, just seeing how everyone, like, supports each other,” Ali said.
The entirely student-run concert that started in 2012 as a way to honour the legacy of the late Jack Richardson, who was a Canadian producer and former professor in the Music Industry Arts program.
The night underscored what the concert has come to represent over its 16-year run: a proving ground where emerging artists take creative risks, build a deeper community and celebrate Canadian legacy while simultaneously leading the next generation.
As the final notes and strums rang through the music hall, it was clear Share the Land was more than entertainment — the audience was watching the future of the Canadian music industry.
