Edmonton sure knows how to plan a party, What do you do when its -8 in northern Alberta? Well you Get Loud and Bring the Heat, and that’s just what Tim Hicks and his Tour did. The Nissan Titan Street Festival had something going on all day for people of all ages and part of that was the Cooper Equipment Entertainment Stage where Andrew Hyatt, Tebey and Tim Hicks Brought the Heat and gave the crown something to remember.
Church on Sunday: SunFest Day 4
The energy Dustin Lynch left the SunFest crowd with last night clearly carried over into the final day of the festival. Despite the sunny skies ramping the temperatures even higher today, the crowds were noticeably larger in anticipation for the Day 4 final line up of James Barker Band, Midland and the Chief, Eric Church. For some, music is a religious experience and how fitting it was to be going to Church on Sunday.
Dustin Lynch Brought the Heat At SunFest Day 3
Like the weather, SunFest Day 3 was a scorcher. As the temperatures rose the festival goers avoided the heat and preserved their energy for the night to come featuring Meghan Patrick, Brett Young and headliner Dustin Lynch.
The Great Canadian Line Up: Day 2 of SunFest
SunFest Day 2 saw the ideal festival weather with cloudy but sunny skies and moderate temperatures, a perfect back drop for another great Canadian line up.
Canyon Rocks the Valley at SunFest Day 1
Thursday night kick off at SunFest saw 8 artist hit 3 separate stages getting the crowd warmed up for a long weekend of music to celebrate the beautiful province of British Columbia in the mountains of the Cowichan Valley.
We had the chance to sit down with the winner of Project Wild, Brad Saunders, to stage an exclusive interview and acoustic version of his new hit summer song Play It By Beer. Brad was a true rockstar and hit the mainstage and the Saloon stage all in one night covering hit country songs and treating the crowd to his own music. Stay tuned for the interview and song in the coming days.
We were also fortunate enough to say Happy Birthday to Aaron Pritchett before he hit the mainstage tonight. The crowd wished Aaron a happy birthday with signs and enthusiastic cheers. He played to them in his signature energetic style a mash up of his hits and 90s classics like the Back Street Boys and Vanilla Ice and the crowd belted them right back. Take a peak at our brief interview and more photos on the interview page.
SunFest Photo by Jeremy Mac Knott
Finally we finished the night with George Canyon who put on an amazing set with his Big Ass Kitchen Party as he called it. George played to the crowd through out the show as he gave insight into his songs, particularly beaming with pride over his children and his country. George was extremely personal as he shared his East Coast roots and his role in the Canadian Army. George also showcased his Canadian pride as he covered Stompin’ Tom’s Good Old Hockey Game and spoke of the honour he had of covering the song for a 50th anniversary record.
SunFest Photo by Jeremy Mac Knott
The crowd loved his hits and soulful voice throughout his entire set and of course he came back out to treat his fans with a two song encore.
Both Aaron and George raved about Jim Cressman and Invictus Entertainment Group with George going so far as bring Jim out on stage to take a selfie with the crowd. It was great to see such a solid bond in the cutthroat entertainment industry.
Overall, the first night of SunFest has the crowd ready for the next 3 days featuring 30+ artists and we can’t wait to share it with you.
Logan Staats story tells from the soul
The Islands Folk Festival in Duncan, BC was set on a picturesque farm outside of town.
Logan Staats Islands Folk Festival Duncan BC Photo: Jeremy Mac Knott
Small popups danced across the grounds with festival goers shopping items and clothing that matched the easygoing, flowing vibe of the festival.
As sound check started with Logan Staats, most recently featured on the Launch, the audience settled into the their politely tiered seating while young ones ran and danced in front of the open air stage.
Logan Staats Islands Folk Festival Duncan BC Photo: Jeremy Mac Knott
Despite his recent mainstream presence, Logan has been a part of folk scene for the past decade and it showed with his comfort and crowd interaction from the stage. As Logan’s set progressed his story telling ability became very apparent as he shared a new untitled song written while recently in Nashville that highlighted his reflective nature as he was inspired by a series of interactions in his youth that put meaning to what the lasting quality of love is for those left behind. The simple narrative followed by the moving performance left the audience in tears.
With each passing song Logan shared his story with the crowd, one that he described to feature all but two sad songs. One of the happy ones he shared written in mear minutes on the side of a hotel bed, inspired by his current partner. As the sunset, the open air stage became more and more reflective of Logan’s soulful writing and powerful voice. It truly was a an emotional experience respected and enjoyed by festival goers.
Photos by Jeremy Mac Knott
Review by Haley Campbell
Bathtub Weekend Kick off Party
July 20th marks the 52nd annual Great International World Championship Bathtub Race in Nanaimo BC.
Starting off the kick off party: The Black Franks. They are a 4 piece local Nanaimo cover band playing songs like Roadhouse Blues by The Doors and Takin’ care of Business by Bachman Turner Overdrive. The former Mayor, Frank Nay, who started the bathtub races would turn 100 this year and his son, Brad Nay plays guitar. What an honour to be able to celebrate this long standing tradition!
Next up is local Nanaimo rock band, Wise Youngblood. This power 4 piece absolutely killed it with Kyle Stephan’s gritty melodic voice and whiskey soaked lyrics, Andrew Harper dropping wicked guitar riffs, David Buchanon slaying the bass and Myles Nowik pulling it all together on drums. Wise Youngblood entertained us with originals such as Pyromaniac, Noon at Night and The new single Robot. Also sweet covers of Where is my Mind by The Pixies and Psychokiller by the Talking Heads. This band has an inviting stage presence that makes you want more!
Headliner Gord Bamford and band were welcomed to the stage by a diverse crowd covered in plaid, boots and a sea of cowboy hats. With songs like Farm Girl Strong, Stayed ’til Two, Drinking Buddy and Livin’ on Summertime had everyone up singing, dancing and just having a down right good time. The party continues with Folsom Prison Blues – Johnny Cash and a few other originals. The band had thier own spotlights through out the concert to showcase their talants. During The Devil went down to Georgia by Charlie Daniels they took turns creating a mashup of songs from newer artists like Adele and Bruno Mars while making sure to rock out on the instrument of thier choice. The fiddle was an awesome display of entertaining and fast finger working talant. The bass player rocked out to Adele sitting at the back of the stage with a broken leg from a previous show.
Fans had been chanting Breakfast Beer for most of the night so Gord Bamford made it worth the wait closing off the show while everyone was having a foot stomping, head bobbing, hip gyrating, beer drinking amazing time!
Photos by Jeremy Mac Knott
Review by Jessica Brady
A picturesque Canada Day in the Cowichan Valley
We couldn’t think of a better location for a Canada Day long weekend festival. Nestled in the mountains of the Cowichan Valley, Laketown Ranch had the most patriotic backdrop for a weekend of rock and roll.
Sass Jordan’s iconic voice and energy hasn’t aged one bit. She put on an electric show that drew festival goers from their campsites for her entire performance.
Sass Jordon – Laketown Ranch Photo: Jeremy Mac Knott
Kim Mitchell definitely didn’t plan it but his technical difficulties gave the crowd an opportunity to break out into O Canada to remind everyone there why we love this country and once resolved Kim reminded us why we love rock and roll.
Kim Mitchel @ Laketown Ranch
Photo: Jeremy Mac Knott
Laketown Ranch is the perfect festival local and we can’t wait for the upcoming concert series. Check them out here
Check out a few more photos below.
Sass Jordans Band ripping the Guitar riff @ Laketown Ranch Photo: Jeremy Mac Knott
Sass Jordan Canada Day @ Laketown Ranch Photo: Jeremy Mac Knott
Sass Jordans Bassist @ Laketown Ranch Photo: Jeremy Mac Knott
Sass Jordan @ Laketown Ranch
Photo: Jeremy Mac Knott
Kim Mitchel @ Laketown Ranch
Photo: Jeremy Mac Knott
Kim Mitchel @ Laketown Ranch Photo: Jeremy Mac Knott
Kim Mitchel @ Laketown Ranch
Photo: Jeremy Mac Knott
Canada’s first glimpse of Luke Combs
The line up started early and grew down the block filled with eager fans waiting to fill the Commodore Ballroom. Despite being new to mainstream country, Luke Combs captured the attention of Canadians with his first number one hit Hurricane quickly followed by When it Rains it Pours. These hits were all Canadians needed to sell out his first show in Canada featuring Drew Parker and Ashley McBryde.
