Between a Rock and a Hard Place was a one-day immersion into the music and landscapes of Sudbury, Ontario: a series of eleven outdoor concerts in eleven different locations took place on August 18th, 2012. Dutch artists Bik Van der Pol created this music tour featuring local bands (punk, folk, rock, classical, and electronica) performing on the distinctive black rocks of Sudbury. The tour formed a unique map of Sudbury for one day—perceptions of local history, the landscaped, and public space shifted during that encounter. This text, written by curator Alissa Firth-Eagland, explores the histories and narratives of the shifts in cultural energies in the city, from the collective endeavours of Mine Mill Hall to the current vibrant independent music scene.