FIND YOUR MUSIC FESTIVAL
Summer rocks with Alberta shows
Summer music festivals aren’t just fun for audience members, they’re a treat for musicians as well. “Festivals are some of our favourite shows we ever get to play, they’re always a highlight of the year,” agrees guitarist and vocalist Pete Stone, one-third of Edmonton’s folk trio 100 Mile House. For Stone and wife Denise MacKay, as well as multi-instrumentalist Scott Zubot, outdoor summer festivals are a nice switch from club gigs, which have a completely different vibe to them. “You’re playing to a lot of new faces and with other acts,” Stone explains. “You definitely try to read the audience to see what they’re in the mood for.” Stone and his compatriots have a busy summer ahead of them. Not just because of the tour itinerary that brings them to festivals in Edmonton, Calgary, Winnipeg, Bear Creek, Grand Prairie, and the Filberg festival on Vancouver Island, but also because they recently released their latest effort, Hiraeth.
Postmedia has prepared a guide to a number of festivals in Alberta this summer for your perusal.
JAZZ YYC SUMMER FESTIVAL
When: Through June 18 Where: Mount Royal University’s Taylor Centre, Ironwood Stage and Grill, Lolita’s Lounge. Website: jazzyyc.com/summerfestival-2017
Headliners: Renee Rosnes, Neil Swainson, Joel Miller Quartet, Brett McDonald Quartet, Al Muirhead’s Canada Session. Tickets: General admission for Taylor Centre event is $35 general admission; $25 students. Why you should go: Jazz festivals are a summer fixture in many cities and Calgary is well on its way to joining them.
BEAUMONT BLUES AND ROOTS FESTIVAL
When: Through June 18 Where: Four Seasons Park, Beaumont, south of Edmonton Website: bbrf.ca
Headliners: Matt Andersen, Corb Lund and Fred Penner
Tickets: $109 for advance weekend passes; single day passes also available from yeglive.ca
Why you should go: The off chance that Corb Lund shows up onstage at Fred Penner’s performance to jam out on The Cat Came Back.
MEDICINE HAT JAZZ FEST
When: June 18 to 25 Where: Medicine Hat Website: medicinehatjazzfest.com
Headliners: Al Muirhead featuring Laila Biali, Tim Tamashiro, Yoslai De La Rosa, Gypsophilia.
Tickets: Festival pass is $149. More options at medicinehatjazzfest.com
Why you should go: Great lineup at venues around town will have The Gas City cooking.
SLED ISLAND
When: June 21 to 25
Where: Various venues across Calgary
Website: sledisland.com
Headliners: Flying Lotus, Converge, Cloud Nothings, Wolves in the Throne Room, Weyes Blood
Tickets: Regular festival pass is $214 until June 18, $225 thereafter; single show tickets and sampler packs also available from the Sled Island website
Why you should go: This amazingly eclectic festival is a Calgary original.
NORTH COUNTRY FAIR
When: June 23 to 25 Where: Driftpile near Joussard, northwest of Edmonton Website: lslncca.ca
Headliners: Pack A.D., Geoff Berner, Carolyn Mark, Tzadeka, The Velveteins Tickets: Weekend passes are $120 to $160 at the gate. Single day passes are available as well at various prices. Cash only on site. Why you should go: To let those northern Alberta mosquitoes know that they won’t win and they’ll never win. Also, are you kidding? Geoff Berner and Carolyn Mark? Excellent!
EDMONTON INTERNATIONAL JAZZ FESTIVAL
When: June 23 to July 2 Where: Various venues Website: edmontonjazz.com Headliners: Dianne Reeves, Billy Childs Quartet, Kenny Barron Tickets: $99 for a 10-day jazz pass; single show tickets also available from tixonthesquare.ca
Why you should go: An incredible bargain for such a range of local, national, and international talent.
SYMPHONY IN THE CITY
When: June 25 at 2 p.m. Where: Alberta Legislature Grounds, Edmonton Website: edmontonsymphony.
com
Headliners: The ESO, Tommy Banks, Mallory Chipman, the Ukrainian Shumka Dancers, Tim Hus
Tickets: Free
Why you should go: Lots of reasons, but especially to see Tim Hus and his homage to Stompin’ Tom.
CALGARY STAMPEDE
When: July 7 to 16 Where: Calgary Exhibition Grounds Website: calgarystampede.com
Headliners: The Strumbellas, Marianas Trench, Theory of a Deadman, Nelly Furtado, July Talk, Ben Harper and the Innocent Criminals, Whitehorse, all at the Coca-Cola Stage. Johnny Reid, Alabama, Brooks & Dunn at the Saddledome.
Tickets: Coke Stage is free with admission to Stampede, which is anywhere from nothing (7 and under) to $18, for ages 13 to 64. Saddledome show tickets available at Ticketmaster.ca
Why you should go: Because Marianas Trench will be sad if they don’t see you there.
ASTRAL HARVEST
When: July 14 to 17 Where: Driftpile near Joussard, northwest of Edmonton Website: astralharvest.com Headliners: DJ QBert, Fort Knox Five, Khromata, Tom Collins, Vinne
Tickets: Full weekend pass is $269, available from the website; single day tickets also available.
Why you should go: DJ QBert, of course; also workshops, conferences, visual art, yoga and more.
WILD MOUNTAIN MUSIC FESTIVAL
When: July 14 to 16 Where: Entrance Ranch, eight km north of Hinton Website: wildmtnmusic.ca Headliners: 54-40, Matt Andersen, David Wilcox; more to be announced
Tickets: Weekend pass is $175; individual day tickets are also available at the gate or from the Wild Mountain website
Why you should go: A very relaxed festival near the mountains that still feels like a large backyard party
SOUTH COUNTRY FAIR
When: July 21 to 23
Where: 249 Lyndon Road, Fort Macleod Website: southcountryfair.com Headliners: Joe Nolan & the Dogs, Gordie Tentrees & Jaxon Haldane, Washboard Hank, William Prince Tickets: Weekend passes are $90 to $120; individual day tickets also available at the gate or from the South Country website
Why you should go: Everybody needs some Washboard Hank in their lives; trust me on this.
INTERSTELLAR RODEO
When: July 21 to 23 Where: Heritage Amphitheatre, Hawrelak Park, Edmonton Website: interstellarrodeo.com Headliners: Broken Social Scene, Aloe Blacc, Serena Ryder, Suzanne Vega
Tickets: Weekend passes are $125 to $225; single day passes also available at the gate or the website
Why you should go: Because you can walk around freely with your wine; also, many of us have been waiting impatiently to see Aloe Blacc
KLONDIKE DAYS
When: July 21 to 30 Where: Northlands, Edmonton Website: k-days.com
Headliners: Corb Lund, Spoons, April Wine, July Talk, Rae Spoon, Sam Roberts Band
Tickets: Free with admission into Capital Ex. Day tickets are $9 to $18, available at Ticketmaster, 780-451-8000, or at the gate. There is also a 10-day K-Pass for $45
Why you should go: So you can get very sick on corn dogs and sugary drinks, stand in front of the stage and sing loudly along to April Wine’s Oowatanite.
CALGARY FOLK MUSIC FESTIVAL When: July 27 to 30 Where: Prince’s Island Park, Calgary
Website: calgaryfolkfest.com
Headliners: Billy Bragg & Joe Henry, City and Colour, Barenaked Ladies, BADBADNOTGOOD, Blue Rodeo
Tickets: Weekend passes are $130 to $195; individual day tickets also available from the Folk Fest website
Why you should go: Always an excellent, eclectic mix to be found, and always a few left field surprises like BADBADNOTGOOD SASQUATCH GATHERING
When: July 28 to 30 Where: Rangeton Park, Evansburg. See the website for complete directions Website: sasquatchgathering.com Headliners: Punch Drunk Cabaret, Skye Wallace Band, Boogie Patrol, Nadine Kellman and the Black Wonders Tickets: Weekend passes are $85 to $100, available from the Sasquatch website.
Why you should go: It gets wonderfully weird at this small festival, so weird that your life will change for the better. CALGARY INTERNATIONAL BLUES FESTIVAL When: July 31 to Aug. 6 with main stage shows Aug. 3 to 6. Where: Shaw Millenium Park, Calgary
Website: calgarybluesfest.com Headliners: Big Bill Morganfield, Bob Hall, Lil’ Jimmy Reed, Paul DeLauriers Band, Angel Forest, Amos Garrett and more. Tickets: Four-day pass is $129 with single day passes at $50. Why You Should Go: Arts market, Food trucks, AND a heavy dose of the blues. BIG VALLEY JAMBOREE
When: Aug. 3 to 6 Where: Exhibition Grounds, Camrose
Website: bigvalleyjamboree.com
Headliners: Keith Urban, Big & Rich, Jason Aldean, Little Big Town, Willie Nelson, Kacey Musgraves, Tanya Tucker Tickets: Weekend passes are $240; single day tickets also available from the Big Valley website Why you should go: Willie Nelson. Straight up; the man is a treasure, and you’ll regret not seeing him. ONE LOVE MUSIC FESTIVAL
When: Aug. 4
Where: Max Bell Centre Festival Grounds, Calgary Website: onelovefestival.ca Headliners: Ms. Lauryn Hill, Migos, Anderson .Paak & The Free Nationals
Tickets: General admission Tier 1 pass, $99.95 (Plus fees); General admission Tier 2 pass, 109.95 (plus fees) Why you should go: Great vibes and beats all packed into one day. CHASING SUMMER
When: Aug. 5 to 6
Where: Max Bell Centre Festival Grounds Website: chasingsummerfestival.
com
Headliners: Tiesto, Zedd, W& W, Jauz, Tritonal
Tickets: Tier 3 weekend pass is $149.95; Tier 4 weekend pass is $159.95.
Why you should go: A world-class lineup of electronic music in a festival setting. CANMORE MUSIC FESTIVAL
When: Aug. 5 to 7 Where: Centennial Park, Canmore Website: canmoremusicfestival.
com
Headliners: Bruce Cockburn, Whitehorse, Blackie and the Rodeo Kings, Foy Vance
Tickets: Weekend passes are $35 ( kids) to $130 (adult); individual day tickets also available at the gate or in advance from the website
Why you should go: A small, cosy festival set in a very pretty mountain town. EDMONTON FOLK MUSIC FESTIVAL When: Aug. 10 to 13 Where: Gallagher Park Website: edmontonfolkfest.org Headliners: The Decemberists, Leon Bridges, Rhiannon Giddens, St. Paul & the Broken Bones, City and Colour Tickets: Weekend passes are $88 (seniors and youth) to $189 (adult); individual day tickets also available from the ticket office at 10115 97 A Ave., or Ticketmaster
Why you should go: Lots of great acts to see, and you’re going to be blown away by Leon Bridges, with Rhiannon Giddens and St. Paul & the Broken Bones just behind. COUNTRY THUNDER
When: Aug. 18 to 20 Where: Prairie Winds Park, Calgary
Website: countrythunder.com Headliners: Brad Paisley, Thomas Rhett, Blake Shelton
Tickets: Three-day general admission pass is $179 with single day/evening admission at $99. Why You Should Go: Because Calgarians love their country and this festival, in it second year, packs some star power. REGGAEFEST
When: Aug. 17 to 19 Where: Shaw Millennium Park Website: reggaefest.ca Headliners: Steele, Antidoping, Etana and more.
Tickets: Valid Aug. 18 and/or 19: Advance (June 15 to Aug. 17) $35, Gate, $45.
Why you should go: This familyfriendly event has become one of the top reggae festivals in Canada. EDMONTON
ROCK MUSIC FESTIVAL When: Aug. 18 and 19 Where: Heritage Amphitheatre, Hawrelak Park Website: edrocks.ca
Headliners: Tom Cochrane & Red Rider, Trooper, Sass Jordan, Chilliwack, Prism Tickets: Weekend passes are $120 to $135; single day tickets also available at the gate or from the festival website
Why you should go: Because time travel is currently not an option, so to really feel the ’70s and early ’80s you’ll have to buy a ticket. BEAR CREEK FOLK FESTIVAL When: Aug. 18 to 20 Where: Borstad Hill, Muskoseepi Park, Grande Prairie Website: bearcreekfolkfest.org Headliners: Frazey Ford, Fred Penner, Hawksley Workman, Rodney Crowell, Ricky Skaggs and Kentucky Thunder Tickets: Weekend pass is $109 to $159, available from the festival website.
Why you should go: The second year of this festival has an impressive and eclectic lineup EDMONTON BLUES FESTIVAL When: Aug. 25 to 27 Where: Heritage Amphitheatre, Hawrelak park Website: blueinternationalltd.
com
Headliners: Colin Linden, Kenny “Blues Boss” Wayne, Boston Blues All Stars, Billy Boy Arnold
Tickets: Weekend passes are $109 to $129; single day tickets also available at the gate or from the website Why you should go: Because
you’ve got the blues, or perhaps you wish you had the blues. Whichever. VEGGFEST
When: Aug. 25 and 26 Where: Vegreville Agricultural Grounds, 4753 45 Ave., Vegreville Website: veggfest.ca
Headliners: Randy Bachman, The Northern Pikes, John Michael Montgomery, Aaron Pritchett Tickets: Weekend pass is $99; single day tickets also available at the gate or from the website. Why you should go: To pay your respects to the giant Easter egg in Vegreville, of course BANFF CENTRE INTERNATIONAL STRING QUARTET FESTIVAL When: Sept. 1 to 3
Where: Banff Centre Website: banffcentre.ca Headliners: Rolston String Quartet, Jupiter String Quartet, Barry Shiffman, Alice Lee and more.
Tickets: Individual tickets range from $22 to $25 with passports and packages available at banffcentre.ca.
Why you should go: Already world-renowned for its Banff International String Quartet Competition, the Banff Centre has added this festival to bring the finest in classical music to audiences.