Blab Music
Guelph Youth Music Centre Launches First Showlab Event Featuring Cowboy Medicine and Cootie Catcher
The Guelph Youth Music Centre (GYMC) will host its first Showlab‑produced concert on August 22 at 7 p.m. The all‑ages, pay‑what‑you‑can event will feature local duo Cowboy Medicine and Toronto quartet Cootie Catcher. Tickets are available online, and the venue will offer standing, raised and floor seating, a wheelchair area, masks and earplugs.
Showlab is a free, four‑session program designed for youth aged 14‑18. Each 5‑week module covers a different stage of event production—from ideation and budgeting to promotion and post‑show analysis. Participants work in teams to plan, produce, and promote a live concert, with the first event scheduled for the end of the first session. The August 22 show is the culmination of the program’s training and the first public performance produced by emerging youth organizers.
Cowboy Medicine, a Guelph‑based duo, is known for its folk‑indie sound and storytelling style. The pair’s harmonies and acoustic instrumentation have earned them a local following. Cootie Catcher, a Toronto quartet, released the album Something We All Got in February 2026. The record showcases the group’s lo‑fi, melodic pop sensibilities and has been described as a continuation of their twee‑pop roots.
The GYMC venue, located at 75 Cardigan Street, provides a flexible layout that accommodates a variety of audience needs. In addition to standard seating, the space includes a dedicated wheelchair area and offers masks and earplugs to support audience comfort and safety. The venue’s design supports the inclusive, community‑focused ethos of Showlab.
The pay‑what‑you‑can model aligns with Showlab’s mission to lower barriers to music participation. By removing a fixed ticket price, the event encourages attendance from a broad demographic while still allowing those who wish to contribute to support the venue and the youth organizers. Online ticketing simplifies access and provides a record of attendance for the program’s evaluation.
GYMC has operated as a not‑for‑profit organization since 1992, focusing on music education and enrichment for children and youth. The Showlab initiative expands the centre’s offerings by giving teenagers hands‑on experience in event management, a skill set increasingly relevant in a music industry that values independent production and grassroots promotion.
The August 22 concert represents a milestone for both the GYMC community and the local music scene. It demonstrates how youth can successfully manage a live event, provides a platform for emerging artists, and reinforces Guelph’s reputation as a nurturing environment for musicians. The event also highlights the growing trend of community‑driven, inclusive concerts that prioritize accessibility and affordability.
As the first Showlab show concludes, organizers will review audience feedback and production outcomes to refine the program for future sessions. The experience will inform the next cohort of youth producers and may serve as a model for other community music centres seeking to empower young people through practical event‑production training.
Showlab is a free, four‑session program designed for youth aged 14‑18. Each 5‑week module covers a different stage of event production—from ideation and budgeting to promotion and post‑show analysis. Participants work in teams to plan, produce, and promote a live concert, with the first event scheduled for the end of the first session. The August 22 show is the culmination of the program’s training and the first public performance produced by emerging youth organizers.
Cowboy Medicine, a Guelph‑based duo, is known for its folk‑indie sound and storytelling style. The pair’s harmonies and acoustic instrumentation have earned them a local following. Cootie Catcher, a Toronto quartet, released the album Something We All Got in February 2026. The record showcases the group’s lo‑fi, melodic pop sensibilities and has been described as a continuation of their twee‑pop roots.
The GYMC venue, located at 75 Cardigan Street, provides a flexible layout that accommodates a variety of audience needs. In addition to standard seating, the space includes a dedicated wheelchair area and offers masks and earplugs to support audience comfort and safety. The venue’s design supports the inclusive, community‑focused ethos of Showlab.
The pay‑what‑you‑can model aligns with Showlab’s mission to lower barriers to music participation. By removing a fixed ticket price, the event encourages attendance from a broad demographic while still allowing those who wish to contribute to support the venue and the youth organizers. Online ticketing simplifies access and provides a record of attendance for the program’s evaluation.
GYMC has operated as a not‑for‑profit organization since 1992, focusing on music education and enrichment for children and youth. The Showlab initiative expands the centre’s offerings by giving teenagers hands‑on experience in event management, a skill set increasingly relevant in a music industry that values independent production and grassroots promotion.
The August 22 concert represents a milestone for both the GYMC community and the local music scene. It demonstrates how youth can successfully manage a live event, provides a platform for emerging artists, and reinforces Guelph’s reputation as a nurturing environment for musicians. The event also highlights the growing trend of community‑driven, inclusive concerts that prioritize accessibility and affordability.
As the first Showlab show concludes, organizers will review audience feedback and production outcomes to refine the program for future sessions. The experience will inform the next cohort of youth producers and may serve as a model for other community music centres seeking to empower young people through practical event‑production training.
