Vancouver has a strong musical tradition based on decades of home-grown performers, a wealth of concert venues and a pitch-perfect - and surprisingly diverse - array of annual festivals. Sarah McLachlan, Michael Buble and Bif Naked call the city home, while Diana Krall hails from across the water on Vancouver Island. Many international stars are signed up with Vancouver-based recording label Nettwerk Records or artist management agency S.L. Feldman & Associates, lead by local impresario Sam Feldman.

Among the city's leading performance venues are the Commodore Ballroom (www.hob.com), specializing in rock and new bands; the Orpheum Theatre, home to the Vancouver Symphony Orchestra (www.vancouversymphony.ca); O'Doul's Restaurant & Bar (www.odoulsrestaurant.com), an intimate live jazz spot; and the Queen Elizabeth Theatre, home to the Vancouver Opera (www.vanopera.bc.ca) during its October to May season.

If you miss your favourite performer, it's well worth checking out one of Vancouver's great music festivals. These range from the giant summertime Vancouver International Jazz Festival (www.coastaljazz.ca), combining free and paid live performances around the city; the weekend Vancouver Folk Music Festival (www.thefestival.bc.ca) at Jericho Beach; and MusicFest Vancouver (www.musicfestvancouver.ca), a colourful multi-show celebration of music - from world, to classical and jazz.

Story idea Consider a first-hand story on Vancouver's night-out live music venues for visitors. Your story could include visits to diverse spots like the Commodore Ballroom, The Yale and O'Douls and you could interview local performers and music fans on the best hotspots in town for a live show. Time your visit for one of the music festivals for an additional angle to your story.