Nashville is taking over nanaimo for three days straight

October 15-17

Experience 30+ top surprise songwriters from Nashville and Canada flown in for 3 straight days of intimate shows across breweries, patios, and secret spaces. With acoustic storytelling, bar hops, and late-night after parties.

This isn’t a festival. It's a takeover.

The closest thing to Nashville without booking a flight.

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Text on a wavy background that reads 'See the Magic in Action'.
Canadian Small Town Concert

Scenes from past TakeoverS 

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Captured in Collingwood, Port Stanley, and more. 

What makes The Nashville Takeover so special 

Surprise Artist Only

Surprise Artists Only 

No lineup announcements, no headliners. You find out who’s performing when they walk on stage, and you never know who’s going to show up. Just like Nashville.

Multi-Venue Takeover

Multi-Venue Takeover 

Breweries, patios, cafes, restaurants, theatres and unique spaces across town transform into listening rooms and late night after parties.

Up Close Live Music

Up-Close & Personal

No giant fields, fences, or bleachers. You’re within feet of the artists, hearing every lyric, note, and laugh.

Nashville Style Writers Round

The Real Nashville Culture

Writer rounds, surprise guests, intimate rooms, and late-night hangs. It’s the authentic Nashville experience you can’t get from stadiums or mainstream festivals.

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Limited spots available to maintain the intimacy of the events. 

The only experience of its kind in Canada
See why people love The Nashville Takeover 

  • Review for a musical performance, dated June 23, 2025, with a 5-star rating and a positive description about the experience, staff, venues, performers, and weekend of music.

  • Customer review for an event or concert, showing the name Diane Amato, date October 6, 2025, and a five-star rating. The review enthusiastically praises the lineup of musicians and performances, asking about the next event.

  • A customer review of a music event at Port Stanley Nashville Songwriters, dated June 27, 2025, with a five-star rating, praising the venue's atmosphere and talent.

  • Customer review for Lydia Knorr, dated August 27, 2025, with a 5-star rating and a positive comment about her talent, storytelling through music, and the intimate experience.

  • Online review with five green stars, titled 'Magical', stating a positive experience with songwriting and organization, thanking songwriters and artists, and expressing enthusiasm to do it again.

  • Customer review of Brittany Rutledge, date Nov 22, 2025, five-star rating, mentioning attending the Collingwood festival in October 2025, VIP pass experience, private bus, and tickets for 2026.

  • Online review for a service or experience, including a five-star rating, positive comments, and a date of June 23, 2025.

  • A customer review for an event, showing a five-star rating, with the review date October 7, 2025, and comments about an organized event with relaxing local venues, hopeful for a next year's round two.

  • Review for Kristine Ferris, dated October 22, 2025, with five green stars, describing a unique and intimate art event with talented artists, packed venue, and enjoyable experience.

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What a Nashville Takeover Weekend Looks like 

  • Your weekend begins with registration, where you'll receive your wristband or VIP lanyard before settling into the Nashville atmosphere. Artists mingle with guests, drinks are flowing, and the excitement starts to build.

    Choose from multiple venues, each offering its own unique atmosphere, from intimate Bluebird Cafe style listening rooms to lively social experiences. The night wraps up with an unforgettable late night songwriter jam at the Official After Party.

  • Saturday is when the entire town transforms into Nashville! Guests explore an incredible variety of restaurants, theatres, hotels, breweries, and unique venues, each hosting afternoon songwriter showcases with its own distinct atmosphere. From intimate listening rooms to lively, energetic social experiences, there’s something for everyone.

    Later in the afternoon, everyone is invited to our exclusive Artist Pop Up Shop! Browse original merchandise from the weekend’s artists, grab a drink, mingle with the songwriters, snap photos, collect autographs, and get to know the talented people behind the music.

    After some free time to explore the town, the Takeover comes alive again with an exciting lineup of evening showcases across multiple venues.

    And for those with After Party access, the night is far from over! The Official Saturday Night After Party brings artists from across the entire weekend together under one roof for an unforgettable, spontaneous Nashville style open jam where anything can happen and no two performances are ever the same.

  • Sunday is all about slowing down and soaking in the final moments of the weekend. Guests gather for relaxed acoustic songwriter showcases featuring the stories and songs that have become the heart of The Nashville Takeover. Depending on the host community, the afternoon may also feature an upbeat classic honky tonk band before the weekend concludes with one final intimate writers round in the evening, giving everyone the perfect opportunity to enjoy a few more songs, one last drink, and say goodbye to new friends before heading home.

    By the time you leave, you'll realize you didn't just attend another music event. You became part of something much bigger. That's why so many guests come back year after year.

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Frequently Asked Questions 

  • No. It’s a multi-venue Nashville Takeover, not a fenced field or stadium setup. 

  • A curated mix of established artists, breakout artists, and hit songwriters from Nashville & Canada. 

  • No — surprise artists only. You find out who’s performing when they walk on. 

  • It’s rooted in Nashville’s country & Americana scene, but includes indie-folk, pop-country, roots, and singer-songwriter talent. 

  • One weekend pass gets you access to shows across multiple venues. 

  • Daytime shows are often family-friendly; evenings and after parties may be 19+ depending on venue. 

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Nashville Is Coming

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