That’s a wrap on the innaugural SummerSet Music Festival

The last weekend of summer … the last day of SummerSet …it went out with a bang!

The Wild North is the most local performer at SummerSet – literally from Langley, the township hosting the music festival – so it seemed fitting to have them lead the charge in closing out the last day.

 

 

They shared stories of the area both in between songs from where they wrote them to what they were about – but it also came through in the lyrics.  While they didn’t have any merch available at the tent, they did suggest just spending the money on beer … better yet buy THEM a beer … and asked to keep an eye out for their crowdfunding about to get underway for in support of their first album.

 

When Kadooh walked out on stage, there was already a collection of fans front and centre to cheer him on – much to the chagrin of those with surprisingly oversized lawn chairs who thought they might pull off a seated front row the entire day … and it only grew from there as he played through his set.

 

The fans came prepared to cheer – obviously!  They were easily the nicest and most fun encountered … and while they may have irked those parked in front, they graciously relegated themselves to spots further back to enjoy the rest of the day when Kadooh’s set wrapped.  PROPS!  The fans say a lot about the performer and it’s easy to see why they’re so loyal … he called out a lot of recognized faces in the crowd by name – beyond the traditional shout out musicians give to spouses, children, and other immediate family.

 

 

The reflection in the glasses says it all … easily the most engaged crowd all weekend for the opening “daytime” performers!

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Vancouver based Washboard Union has pretty much been taking the country by storm with countless BCCMA, CCMA awards and even the Juno for Breakthrough Group of the Year … the 1st time a country artist has ever pulled that off.   SummerSet brought them back home and over those Rocky Mountains following a mini-tour in Europe and shows out East … and as much as the crowd appreciative to see them, they couldn’t gush enough about the love they were being fed.

 

Paul Brandt closed out the first SummerSet music festival in epic fashion … fitting to have the artist with the most played country music song on the radio – ever! – to bring the inaugural weekend to a close.

 

He nonchalantly decided the crowd should call people on their phones … someone actually started dialing … so of course he reached out for her phone while the band played “dialing music” … don’t know if “William” actually believed it was Paul Brandt on the phone at first but there was certainly no doubt when the crowd erupted in cheer! William may not have had 15 minutes of fame but certainly a few, especially when he was put on speakerphone to say “Hi Everybody” to a few thousand screaming country music fans!

 

He kept trying to get closer to the crowd by standing on the speakers in the photo pit but unfortunately the overhead lights didn’t move and there was no spotlight from the sound board to follow him around  — if he had access to a lit catwalk there’s no doubt he would have spent the majority of the set there to get as close as possible.

 

That’s a wrap on the first year of SummerSet … if you were there, be sure to reach out to the organizers via their website and let them know how they did on their first crack at a music festival of that size in Langley … and if it looks like something you want in on for next year – be sure to get added to the mailing list for a heads up on  the line up and ticket sales as they’re announced.

www.SummerSetFestival.ca