BeatRoute Magazine BC Print Edition June 2018

Phillip’s Backyard Weekender
July 20-22
Atomique Productions and Phillip’s Brewing Company bring
their notorious “super-party” to Victoria’s favourite backyard
for its 6th year. From July 20-22, the brewery parking lot
transforms into a homegrown fest, with the likes of The
Revolution, Dessa, Reggie Watts, and Kelis hitting the stage. As
Festival Director, Dimitri Demers says, the Weekender “has the
intensity of a large festival combined with the intimate feel of
hanging out, barbecuing with your friends.”
• Dayna Mahannah
Centre of Gravity
July 27-29
Held in the lake city of Kelowna and running through July
27-29, Centre of Gravity promises to be one of the most
entertaining festivals of the summer, with stages situated right
on the beach.
“For over a decade, COG has been bringing the hottest
musical acts and world class athletes to City Park on Lake
Okanagan,” says Scott Emslie, festival founder. “This year, not
only have we got performances by the full Wu-Tang Clan, Zedd,
French Montana, and more than 40 other acts, we are also
introducing a Rugby Sevens competition and an axe throwing
area alongside the always-popular sports zone. Each year just
keeps getting better!”
• Josh Sheppard
July
Rockin’ River MusicFest
August 2-5
For the country lovers out there, you won’t want to miss
the Rockin’ River MusicFest as the perfect place to relax and
float down a river while listening to your favourite country
musicians. Hosted in Merritt, BC’s biggest and best country
music festival will have a wide assortment of your favourite
artists and tons of activities to choose from.
“With the hottest country lineup in Canada, including
headlining performances by Eric Church, Brett Eldredge, and
Dallas Smith, 2018’s Rockin’ River Festival is looking to be
the place to be this summer,” says founder Kenny Hess. “And
it doesn’t stop with the music. Fans enjoy days spent in the
Coldwater River, camping with friends, late night saloons, line
dancing, and more!”
• Josh Sheppard
Shambhala Music Festival
August 10-13
SKOOKUM
September 7-9
SKOOKUM is a brand new festival, ushering in its first year with
big name headliners like The Killers, Florence and the Machine,
and St. Vincent. Equally as enticing are the performers local to
BC: Mob Bounce, Snotty Nose Rez Kids, and Ta’kaiya Blaney, to
name a few. Taking place in Vancouver’s own Stanley Park, this
three-day festival offers forested surroundings with the perks of
city life just minutes away. Alongside the music, expect to find
installations by local artists, live art performances, drinks from
local breweries and distilleries, and a selection of fine cuisines.
• Jordan Yeager
Legend has it that, every year, an electronic music festival so
magical and bass heavy can be found in the great wilds of the
British Columbian interior. From August 10-13, in the Salmo
River Ranch, you may be able to discover that Shambhala will
be every bit as memorable as your cool friends say it is. With
hip-hop artists like Dizzee Rascal and including a massive lineup
of electronic producers, this fest is a must for any electronic
music fan.
• Josh Sheppard
Burnaby Blues and Roots Festival
August 11
The long-running Burnaby Blues and Roots festival will have a
wide array of bands in an outdoor summer setting. Taking place
on Saturday, August 11 and held at Deer Lake Park, festivalgoers
will be able to enjoy a ton of great music genres ranging from
bluegrass to rock. Featured artists include Nathaniel Rateliff and
the Night Sweats and Amythyst Kiah. Grab your banjo and craft
beer, and get ready to have a hootin’, hollerin’ time!
• Josh Sheppard
Westward Music Festival
September 13-16
The perfect, local, end-of-summer festival with all your favourite
indie artists will be the Westward Music Festival. From the
forward-thinking R&B of Blood Orange to futuristic pop acts
like SOPHIE and Poppy, this will not be one to miss!
“Heading into its second year, MRG Concert’s Westward
Music Festival will take place across Vancouver’s downtown
core form September 13-16th, 2018,” says publicist Sacha Miller.
“With headline performances from Kali Uchis, Rhye, Angel
Olsen, and Kelela, the festival will also feature Canadian artists
including Andy Shauf, Chan Van Gaalen, We Are The City, and
more.”
• Josh Sheppard
Ponderosa
August 17-19
Ponderosa Arts & Music Festival is equal parts house party and
festival. The concept was conceived of by a group of friends
after spending a weekend partying in nature – shouldn’t
everyone get to experience something similar? To them,
the answer was an unequivocal “yes.” Hosted in tiny, idyllic
Rock Creek, Ponderosa is passionately community-driven
and -focused. From selection of sponsors to artists to staff
to vendors and even musicians, organizers aim to reduce the
festival’s impact on its site, so keep sustainability in mind when
welcomed into this small town. This year, the Rock Creekbased
festival features performances by the likes of k-os, Yukon
Blonde, The Funk Hunters, Suuns, and many more. Attendees
will also be able to stroll through an Artist Alley lined with
installations from local artists and a Marketplace showcasing
the products of various merchants and artisans.
• Jordan Yeager
Rifflandia
September 13-16
For those on the island, this longstanding Victoria-based
festival will have an assortment of local acts with something
for everyone. “We’re building off last year’s milestone 10 year
anniversary with a ton of exciting up-and-coming artists,” says
Nick Blasko, Festival Director. “Artists like Daniel Caesar, Jessie
Reyez, and Bülow are young artists who have broken through in
the music industry over the past year. It’s exciting to have artists
like this on our lineup before they truly blow up. You can expect
the same excitement Rifflandia brings to the city of Victoria
with a few new venues and features to this year’s festival.”
• Josh Sheppard
August September
June 2018 13