Ten out-of-town music festivals worth the trip
Looking to make the most of the B.C. music festival scene, and your loonies? Here are 10 events worth hitting the road for this summer.
Reviews and recommendations are unbiased and products are independently selected. Postmedia may earn an affiliate commission from purchases made through links on this page.
Article content
Looking to make the most of the B.C. music festival scene, and your loonies? Here are 10 events worth hitting the road for this summer.
Vancouver Island Music Fest
July 8-10, Comox Valley Fairgrounds
54-40, Los Texmaniacs (Alejandro Escovedo, Rosie Flores, Augie Meyers), Serena Ryder and the legendary Valdy & The Hometown Band’s 40th Anniversary Reunion are only a few of the groups on the 2016 roster.
July 8-10, Kelowna
With top names like Skrillex, Afrojack and Machine Gun Kelly, and sponsors like Monster Energy, Kelowna’s Center of Gravity festival is billed as a big party focused on action sports and beach vibes.
Basscoast
July 8-11, Merritt
Lauded for its progressive attitude and dance mad mix, this “boutique festival” features such global spinners as Fort Knox Five, BC’s Humans and 100+ other groove makers. Sold out, but some tickets may turn up on resale.
Armstrong Metal Fest
July 15-16, Armstrong
After all the head banging to Black Wizard, Beyond Creation, Arcspire and so many more metal bands, they may need a booth supplying neck braces. A huge contingent of Canadian acts.
Mission Folk Music Festival
July 22-24, Mission
A Fraser Valley institution celebrates 29 years with a more stripped-down and intimate event still focused on top-tier entertainment. Line up is TBA, but the Gospel session on Sunday is always a blast.
Shambhala
Aug. 5-8, Salmo
A haven for electronic and experimental music fans, Shambhala brings the wires to the woods at the Salmo River Ranch, attracting close to 10,000 people yearly.
Aug. 19-20, Ucluelet
Set just outside of Tofino, the Otalith Music Festival has become a regional favourite since its inception in 2013, attracting music and surf fans to their self-proclaimed “edge of the world” (just don’t tell the Edge of the World Festival in Haida Gwaii).
Ponderosa
Aug. 19-21, Rock Creek
Timbre Timbre, Black Mountain, The Pack a.d., Dada Plan and the venerable Herald Nix all play at this staunchly indie event with wide-ranging ears. Bonus: Swimming, yoga and pancakes.
Salmon Arm Roots & Blues Festival
Aug. 19-21, Salmon Arm
Steve Earle and Shawn Colvin, Whitehorse and Matt Andersen top the bill at the 24th edition of a festival priding itself on presenting an eclectic mix of folk, blues, roots and country.
Rifflandia
Sept. 15-18, Victoria
Victoria’s big pop and rock bash that closes the summer season will feature hip-hop troupe Jurassic 5, roots-rocker Michael Franti & Spearhead, and the recently reunited Wolf Parade.
Compiled by Francois Marchand and Stuart Derdeyn
Postmedia is committed to maintaining a lively but civil forum for discussion. Please keep comments relevant and respectful. Comments may take up to an hour to appear on the site. You will receive an email if there is a reply to your comment, an update to a thread you follow or if a user you follow comments. Visit our Community Guidelines for more information.