CRITICS’ PICKS
SOUL
What: Mike Farris and The Fortunate Few with Steph Macpherson Where: The Farquhar at UVic, 3800 Finnerty Rd. When: Saturday, 8 p.m. Tickets: $34-$49 at the UVic Centre box office, online at tickets.uvic.ca, or by 250-721-8480 Why: Mike Farris, former frontman of Nashville southern rockers the Screaming Cheetah Wheelies, has made the successful switch to rootsy gospel troubadour, with Grammy Award-winning results. He’s making his Victoria debut in support of his latest album, Silver & Stone, with a big band and big praise. Fellow singersongwriter Mary Gauthier said of Farris: “He takes people who are hurting, who are broken, who think they are alone and through just the sound of his voice, he lets them know that they’re not … that’s magic.”
INDIE ROCK
What: Longwoodstock featuring Jon and
Roy, Close Talker, Dope Soda, Sirreal and more.
Where: Longwood Brewery, 2046 Boxwood Rd., Nanaimo When: Saturday, 1-9 p.m.
Tickets: $40 at showpass.com Why: This craft beer and music festival has been one of the highlights of the Nanaimo social calendar since 2015, but the one-day event (down from two in 2017) takes a significant step up with headliners Jon and Roy, a Victoria trio with an international following. They will be joined at the Longwood Brewery portion of the festival by Close Talker, Sirreal and Old Soul Rebel, among others, while an after-party at The Queens (34 Victoria Cres., Nanaimo) will feature Dope Soda and Small Town Artillery.
FOLK
What: Great Lake Swimmers with Megan Bonnell Where: Capital Ballroom, 858 Yates St. When: Thursday, 8 p.m. Tickets: $24 at Lyle’s Place and Ticketweb.ca
Why: Victoria audiences will catch Great Lake Swimmers just days into their North American tour — a run of dates that will take them to Dec. 18. The Toronto band is on the road to support its seventh album, The Waves, The Wake, which was recorded during sessions at Bishop Cronyn Memorial Church in London, Ontario, last year. It represents a shift from traditional folk rock toward a more expanded sound, with everything from flute to lute making an appearance.