CJs is currently closed and empty, leaving the city without a purpose built concert venue for mid-sized bands.

If you're an established Canadian rock band, where are you supposed to plug your amps in Kamloops?

The region has 100,000 people and no venue for mid-sized rock groups, rappers or DJs touring Canada. After CJ's closed, which hosted acts like Dragonette, Xzibit and DJ Pauly D (yes, the one from Jersey Shore), a big gap has appeared, leaving the city without a purpose-built space for people to let loose.

Drew McLean of Kammerce Promotions said he's already turned down acts considering a Kamloops show because he has no stage for them.

"Without naming names, I've personally turned down some shows because I don't have the right venue right now," he said. "Names that if you're a fan of a particular genre then you would know the band."

CJ's held 626 people legally, though McLean typically maxed his shows out at 500 tickets. The Blue Grotto, the venue most similar to CJ's, tops out at around 250 tickets; if bands are looking for anything larger, the options evaporate.

"Swollen Members is playing at the Duchess because CJ's is shutting down," he pointed out. "That's gotta be a hit for (the promoter)."

The few venues that are mid-sized or larger aren't appropriate for acts in a huge range of genres, including any metal, punk, rap, hip-hop, house or EDM, said McLean.

The Sagebrush Theatre holds 700, but it's a seated venue with no, or limited, options for alcohol. The Rex holds 400 but it's mostly seated and aimed at jazz fans or similar styles.

"It is causing barriers in regards to particularly rock because some of the venues seem quite hesitant about bringing in acts like that," he said of bands like Joel Plaskett, Pack A.D. and Japandroids.

The Coast Hotel, where McLean moved his show featuring 90s rockers I Mother Earth and Finger Eleven, has rooms close in size and checks many of the boxes, but it's also a hotel and conference centre, which means rooms might not be available, or might not be available for anything loud.

"It does work as an option but there are different costs involved," he said. "I have to pay rental, whereas I didn't before with CJ's. Those sorts of things have to be taken into consideration."

It also helped that he worked with the Coast before; other promoters new to the scene might find it more difficult.

Meanwhile, on the other end of the spectrum is the Sandman Centre, but McLean estimated a show there costs close to $20,000, a heavy risk for a promoter and band to take if they're well known but not broadly popular.

If an act is confident they can get a crowd of 500, McLean isn't sure where they should go.

"We're missing a big hole there in the middle from the 250 range up to..." he said with a shrug.

DJs and hip-hop acts will face similar obstacles, according to McLean, though there are opportunities on the low end for those willing to do the legwork.

"CJ's was quite receptive to the rap and EDM. Those were acts and genres that were really welcomed with open arms by management there," he said. "It's going to be interesting to see if the Commodore takes on some of the EDM stuff for later at night. Maybe Shark Club is going to as well, but everyone else is pretty set in their formats."

Many small to mid-sized venues are essentially set in their ways, with a regular schedule of live music, cover bands or comedy filling stages, he said, and an unwillingness to stray outside of the genres regulars expect. Some are willing to be flexible, but they're mostly under 200 capacity, according to McLean.

"On the Rocks – he puts on great shows, but I think his capacity is around 130," he said. "Dirty Jersey, it's a great room. Lance (Lestander) loves music but it's 100 (tickets). That makes it tougher for an act that might be established."

It's also left a gap in the market for people wanting to dance, said McLean, noting with a university filled with thousands of students in their 20s, there's going to be some looking for a party spot on Saturday night.

"They had been the go-to place for that young adult group. I think they were the number one choice for most," he said. "From 11 p.m. to 2 a.m., that's where 400 or 500 people go."

McLean hasn't heard any rumours of people in the midst of buying the CJ's location but is hopeful it'll get picked up soon since the gap in the market is so prominent.

"I don't know of anyone. In all honesty, I don't foresee that building sitting," he said. "It's a valuable asset to someone, but somebody needs to be willing to be hands on."