"What I've learned is that Campbell River really wants to rock," said James Wood.

James was talking about his concert series, Indie Rock in the River, which so far has been made up of five shows bringing acts ranging in genre to experimental psychedelic rock to singer-songwriter to punk and metal. "I've been a bit nervous bringing in some of the harder rock bands, but they've been the most well-received bands of all of the indie rock shows."

Wood, an accomplished musician and record producer in his own right, started the concert series in 2023. His goal was to help boost the local music scene, and bring some of the bands he likes and respects to the Campbell River area.

"Over the over the five shows that I've done, bands have been crawling out of the woodwork," he said. "They're coming our of retirement. Saying things like 'we have a punk band and we started practicing again because we really want to play one of your shows.'"

Wood has one more show on deck for the foreseeable future. On Sept. 21, he will be hosting the fall edition of Indie Rock in the River. The line up will be La Chinga, The Hex, The Helletones and Jim and the Legacies.

"They're world-class," he said about La Chinga. "They're a hard rock power trio with psychedelic powers from Vancouver ... they say they draw their superpowers from Black Sabbath, Led Zeppelin. MC5 and their own super bad habits.

"A band like this has never rocked Campbell River, especially not in a venue the size of Willow Point Hall."

Also on the bill is The Hex, which Wood says is "a bit hard to categorize.

"They're like if Buddy Holly had a fuzz pedal," he said. "They play heavy metal-like punk rock with 50s rock sensibilities. They're definitely a band to be experienced."

The Helletones will also be taking the stage. They are a group from Duncan, who, like many indie rock acts, "are a mutt of many genres," Wood said.

"When I hear them, I hear rockabilly, I hear punk, I hear ska and definitely some rock and roll," he added. "They will definitely get your feet moving and get everybody up to dance."

Wood himself is rounding out the bill, with his new project Jim and the Legacies. He is sitting on a pile of new music and is excited to share it with the local crowd.

As with other Indie Rock in the River shows, the tickets are available on Eventbrite. Wood said that people who purchased tickets to the cancelled La Chinga show earlier this year can contact him and purchase tickets directly, saving the Eventbrite fees.

The show will be on Sept. 21 at the Willow Point Hall. Tickets are $35 and the show is 19+. Beach Fire Brewing will be providing beer for sale. Tickets are also available at .