Get out the calendar it’s time to start planning your summer music tour
Music Festival season is just around the corner and if you don’t start planning now, you’ll blink and miss the whole season. We picked a few festivals you might want to pack the car for that start on the island and meander through B.C. and Alberta. Of course, there are many more to consider, so check out our calendar and keep filling in those dates.
There’s got to be a country music festival
The Rockin’ River Music Festival always provides the best country music on the August long weekend and yup, they are doing it again. From Aug 2nd through Aug 5th artists including Eric Church, Midland, Megan Patrick, George Canyon and the Blake Reid Band will get Merritt, B.C. two-stepping ‘til the cow come home. Take the kids, take the trailer and stay awhile.
Learn more about the Rockin' River Music Festival here.
Vancouver Island is more than just a rock. It’s rock AND roll
The hills are the best place to pitch a stage for a concert and the Laketown Rock Music Festival hiding in the Cowichan Valley has it figured out. The hill gently rolls down to the stage, so you can plant the lawn chair with a great view of the acts. Pitch the tent and stay the weekend to catch acts by some incredible musicians. Check this out; Barney Bentall, Grapes of Wrath, Malahat and the sensational trio out of Calgary that just won a record deal on CTV’s “The Launch.” Static Shift are high school buds, that look and sound like they fell out of 1978. Groovy clothes and damn good rock and roll.
Discover more awesome festivals on Vancouver Island here.
Go way off grid to Wells, B.C.
ArtsWell is the cutest festival in B.C. Held in Wells, on stages that have held musicians since the 1930’s the annual show from August 3rd to 6th will delight the entire family. This is the 14th year of ArtsWell and it’s getting to be so popular, tickets are selling out fast – and that’s before the line up has been announced! Watch for the announcement.
Learn more about the festival.
Shuswap Lake is chillin again with the ROOTSandBLUES
ROOTSandBLUES Festival in Salmon Arm is always a hit, and this is the 26th year! How can you go wrong with that community surrounded by stunning mountains and beaches to chill on. The entire region jumps to make sure the festival is awesome. From August 16- 19, the line up will include local and international names. Colin James never puts on a dull performance so get the lawn chair outta the way for that one. Keep the beat going for when Mbira Renaissance Band hits the stage. This afro-fusion band from Edmonton is vibrant to say the least.
Did you know you can houseboat to the festivities in Salmon Arm? Read about it here.
Head for #YEG for legendary and new and notable
Edmonton is the festival capital of Alberta and when the Edmonton Folk Music Festival rolls into town this year from August 10th through 13th, Gallagher Park will be buzzing with great tunes. Who’s coming? The legendary Ricky Staggs and Rodney Crowell and the likes like Shovels & Ropes and Shakey Graves. Have you ever heard of Shakey Graves? This is the guy you want to see. His delivery is deep and soul-full…and sometimes really offbeat – as in different. He’ll sit on a drum tell a story and then, kills out the beat and strums while singing in a soft Texan baritone.
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