SUMMER MUSIC FESTIVALS
A guide to the warm weather frenzy
Remember that awful, miserable winter that only seemed to end about a month ago?
Of course you do! That’s why we, as a city, have been so careful to get out and enjoy what little heat and sunshine we can. It’s likely also why we enjoy our summer music festivals so much, because in our hearts we know it’s only a brief respite from the coming cold.
To better facilitate this frenzy of music listening (and mosquito swatting, though that’s another story), we’ve helpfully put together a list of festivals to check out in and around Edmonton.
Do yourself a favour and attend some of the smaller ones — we guarantee the experience will be well worth it.
HEART OF THE CITY MUSIC AND ARTS FESTIVAL
When: June 2 and 3
Where: Giovanni Caboto Park, 9425 109A Ave.
Website: heartofthecityfest.com
Headliners: There are no real headliners at this two-day inner city festival, but acts include The James Band, Gautam Karnik, Rebecca Lappa and the Revelry, Boosh & the Dip, and spoken word artist Brandon Wint.
Tickets: Free
Why you should go: To celebrate our own, of course. Heart of the City brings together poets, folkies, rockers, and rappers over the course of a weekend. You’ll be right across the street from some of the best Italian food the city has to offer as well.
BEAUMONT BLUES AND ROOTS FESTIVAL
When: June 15 to 17
Where: Four Seasons Park, 41 Avenue, Beaumont
Website: bbrf.ca
Headliners: Serena Ryder, Sam Roberts Band, Nice Horse
Tickets: $109 to $139 for a full weekend pass. Day tickets also available from the BBRF website.
Why you should go: Because the side stage and lesser known acts are excellent. Make sure to check out Celeigh Cardinal, Tsunami Brothers and Misery Mountain Boys
HIGHLANDIA
When: June 16, 2 p.m. to 11 p.m.
Where: Henry Martell Park, 65 Street and Ada Boulevard
Website: highlandiafest.com
Headliners: Joe Nolan and the Dogs, Vissia, Bad Buddy, Celeigh Cardinal Band
Tickets: Free
Why you should go: A relaxed, free day of excellent local music with the added bonus of vendors and food trucks.
SUMMER SOLSTICE MUSIC FESTIVAL
When: June 18 to 22
Where: Knox Evangelical Free Church, 8403 104 St.
Website: edmontonchambermusic.org
Headliners: St. Lawrence String Quartet, Sara Davis Buechner, Rafael Hoekman
Tickets: Festival passes are $80 to $95, from Tix on the Square
Why you should go: A batch of world-class classical musicians playing in our town just as the summer hours tip over? Yes, please! Added bonus concert at the Yellowhead Brewery with the St. Lawrence String Quartet, where you can potentially match lagers with particular compositions.
SLED ISLAND
When: June 20 to 24
Where: Various venues
Website: sledisland.com
Headliners: Flaming Lips, Deerhoof, Dirty Projectors, Mount Eerie, Thundercat
Tickets: Festival passes are $214 to $385, available from the Sled Island website. Individual concert tickets also available.
Why you should go: Because you will find at least one band or performer that will thoroughly blow your mind and cause your passion for music to be re-ignited. That performer may or may not be Thundercat, but it really should be.
THE WORKS
When: June 21 to July 3
Where: Capital Plaza at the legislature
Website: theworks.ab.ca
Headliners: Altameda, Major Love, Soft March, Madagascar Slim, Jay Gilday
Tickets: Free
Why you should go: The Works is ostensibly a festival devoted to art, but they sure stack their nearly two-week fest with plenty of musical gems. Have we also mentioned Wildwood and the legendary Pete Turland? Seriously, check out the online schedule and make a point of sauntering over for some excellent tuneage.
NORTH COUNTRY FAIR
When: June 22 to 24
Where: Driftpile near Joussard, northwest of Edmonton
Website: lslncca.ca
Headliners: The Fred Eaglesmith Show starring Tif Ginn, Mad Bomber Society, Russell DeCarle, Colin Linden Trio
Tickets: Festival passes are $120 to $180, available from the website. Single day tickets also available.
Why you should go: Well, it’s The Only Festival That Matters, if we’re allowed to brazenly mash up Fish Griwkowsky and The Clash.
TD EDMONTON INTERNATIONAL JAZZ FESTIVAL
When: June 22 to July 1
Where: Various venues
Website: edmontonjazz.com
Headliners: Snarky Puppy, Spanish Harlem Orchestra
Tickets: Festival passes are $99, available from the festival website. Individual concert tickets also available.
Why you should go: Look farther down the list and you’ll see a nice mix of brass bands, traditional jazz, world music, fusion, and experimental sounds.
WILD OATS AND NOTES MUSIC FESTIVAL
When: June 29 to July 1 Where: Schultz farm, one mile west of Tofield on Highway 14, and then south five miles on Range Road 193 Website: wildoatsandnotes.com
Headliners: The Tequila Mockingbird Orchestra, Jr. Gone Wild, Tin and the Toad
Tickets: Festival passes are $90 to $150, available from the website or at the gate. Individual day passes are also available.
Why you should go: A fun, intimate party with a nice selection of roots acts, including one of the few festival appearances by Jr. Gone Wild this year.
BLUES ON WHYTE BLOCK PARTY
When: July 1, 10 a.m. to 10 p.m. Where: McIntyre Park, 8331 104 St., as well as Blues on Whyte, 10329 Whyte Ave. Website: bluesonwhyte.com Headliners: Still being announced, but The Melisiwze Brothers, SOBO, Powerhouze, and Bill Durst are already on the bill. Tickets: Free
Why you should go: Pancake breakfast at 10 a.m., food trucks, vendors, and live music, courtesy of Edmonton’s prime blues exponents.
PEMBINA RIVER NIGHTS
When: July 6 and 7 Where: Rangeton Park, just outside of Mayerthorpe. Check the website for directions. Website: asmallshieldmusic.ca Headliners: Stephen Fearing, Cousin Harley, Rebecca Lappa, Boots & the Hoots Tickets: Festival passes are $150, available from the website or at the gate. Individual day tickets are also available Why you should go: Hot jams during the evening, cool tubing on the river all day.
CALGARY STAMPEDE
When: July 6 to 15 Where: Stampede Park, Calgary Website: calgarystampede.com Headliners: Coca-Cola Stage performers include Alexisonfire, Sheryl Crow, Our Lady Peace, Walk Off the Earth, Billy Talent, Broken Social Scene, Daniel Caesar, Too Many Zooz
Tickets: Free with admission to Stampede, which is anywhere from nothing (7 and under) to $18, for ages 13 to 64.
Why you should go: To find out for yourself whether there can, in fact, be too many zooz.
SEVEN MUSIC FEST
When: July 7
Where: Seven Hills, 13 Mission Ave., St. Albert Website: sevenmusicfest.com Headliners: Elle King, Banners, Delhi 2 Dublin, The Wet Secrets Tickets: Festival passes are $79 to $119, available from the website or at the gate.
Why you should go: St. Albert is a mysterious and exotic world right next to your own, Edmonton. Explore!
ASTRAL HARVEST
When: July 13 to 16 Where: Driftpile, near Joussard, northwest of Edmonton Website: astralharvest.com Headliners: Klusterfunk, Misery Mountain Boys, DJ Tripswitch, Sam Binga, Bijou Tickets: Festival passes are $269, available from the website. Individual day passes also available. Why you should go: A chaotic and hilariously fun mix of music, conferences, yoga workshops, belly dancers, and aerial artists. Definitely not your average music festival.
WILD MOUNTAIN MUSIC FESTIVAL
When: July 13 to 15 Where: Entrance Ranch, eight kilometres north of Hinton Website: wildmtnmusic.ca Headliners: Eric Burdon & the Animals, MonkeyJunk, Tom Cochrane and Red Rider, Matt Mays Tickets: Festival passes are $90 to $180, available from the website.
Why you should go: The biggest backyard party you’ll ever experience.
TASTE OF EDMONTON
When: July 19 to 27 Where: Capital Plaza, legislature Website: tasteofedm.ca Headliners: Sloan, Harpoonist and the Axe Murderer, Hannah Georgas, Men Without Hats Tickets: Free
Why you should go: Every act you didn’t get around to seeing at the Jube or Winspear for $40 a pop appears to be playing for free here, buckaroos, so don’t blow it by shrugging this off.
INTERSTELLAR RODEO
When: July 20 to 22 Where: Heritage Amphitheatre, Hawrelak Park Website: interstellarrodeo.com Headliners: Feist, July Talk, Courtney Barnett, The Mavericks, The Dead South Tickets: Festival passes are $249 to $259, available from the website. Individual day tickets also available
Why you should go: Excellent overall lineup this year, but we’re going to point out Lisa Leblanc, Alejandro Escovedo, and La Dame Blanche as just three reasons why you shouldn’t come only to see the headliners.
SOUTH COUNTRY FAIR
When: July 20 to 22
Where: 249 Lyndon Rd., Fort Macleod Website: southcountryfair.com Headliners: Oh Susanna, Kacy & Clayton, Geoff Berner, The Wine Soaked Preachers, Richard Inman
Tickets: Festival passes are $90 to $10, available from the website. Individual day tickets are also available.
Why you should go: Plenty of reasons to check out this small but well-loved festival, but we’re going to make a point of singling out Richard Inman, your absolute new favourite singersongwriter.
K-DAYS
When: July 20 to 29 Where: Northlands Website: k-days.com Headliners: Prism, 54-40, Billy Talent, Marianas Trench, The Beach Boys, Ice Cube, Cheap Trick, Village People, L’il Jon Tickets: Free with admission into K-Days. Tickets are $10 to $20, available at Ticketmaster, 780451-8000, or at the gate. The new premium party show packages at the TD South Stage are separately ticketed at $30 to $60. Why you should go: To discover the true meaning of crunk.
CALGARY FOLK FESTIVAL
When: July 26 to 29 Where: Prince’s Island Park, Calgary
Website: calgaryfolkfest.com Headliners: Alvvays, Joe Jackson, Bahamas, Blackalicious, A Tribe Called Red
Tickets: Festival passes are $135 to $225 (until June 2), available from the website. Single day tickets are also available.
Why you should go: Still one of the prettiest places to see a music festival in Alberta.
SASQUATCH GATHERING
When: July 27 to 29
Where: Métis Crossing, 17339 Victoria Trail, Smoky Lake Website: sasquatchgathering.com Headliners: Wildwood, Jay Gilday Band, Joe Nolan and the Dogs, Arlo Maverick, Dana Wylie Band Tickets: Festival passes are $85 to $100, available from Yeglive or at the gate. Individual day tickets also available. Why you should go: A wonderfully weird yet somehow familyfriendly festival that sneaks in under the radar every year.
BIG VALLEY JAMBOREE
When: Aug.2to5 Where: Exhibition Grounds, Camrose Website: bigvalleyjamboree.com Headliners: Thomas Rhett, Alabama, Florida Georgia Line, Dallas Smith, Paul Brandt, Nitty Gritty Dirt Band
Tickets: Festival passes are $240 to $585, available from the website; single day tickets also available.
Why you should go: Willie Nelson played there last year, which gives them cred until at least 2019.
BLUEBERRY BLUEGRASS AND COUNTRY FESTIVAL
When: Aug.3to5 Where: Heritage Park, 5100 41 Ave., Stony Plain Website: blueberrybluegrass.com Headliners: Ricky Skaggs, Travelin’ McCourys, Pharis and Jason Romero, Jeff Scroggins and Colorado
Tickets: Festival passes are $120 to $160, available at the website or the gate. Individual day tickets also available. Why you should go: Because the lineup never fails to astonish every year.
CANMORE MUSIC FESTIVAL
When: Aug.4to6 Where: Centennial Park, Canmore
Website: canmorefolkfestival.com Headliners: Buffy Sainte-Marie, Carlos Del Junco and the Blues Mongrels, Jon and Roy, Lindi Ortega, Nick Waterhouse
Tickets: Festival passes are $45 to $140, available at the gate or at the website. Individual day tickets also available
Why you should go: Road trip!
EDMONTON FOLK MUSIC FESTIVAL
When: Aug. 9 to 12 Where: Gallagher Park Website: edmontonfolkfest.org Headliners: Buffy Sainte-Marie, Ry Cooder, Michael Franti & Spearhead, The Decemberists, Regina Spektor, The Milk Carton Kids
Tickets: Festival passes are $88 to $219, available in advance from Ticketmaster. Individual day tickets also available.
Why you should go: The workshops, of course, as well as such incredible small stage performers as DakhaBrakha, Nick Waterhouse, The Bros. Landreth, and Jimmie Dale Gilmore.
EDMONTON ROCK MUSIC FESTIVAL
When: Aug. 17 and 18 Where: Heritage Amphitheatre, Hawrelak Park Website: edmontonrockfest.com Headliners: Saga, Don Felder, Helix, Holly Woods and Toronto, Los Lobos, Glass Tiger Tickets: Festival passes are $135, available at the gate or the website; single day tickets also available.
Why you should go: To find out why Saga have come out of retirement mere months after having retired.
BEAR CREEK FOLK FESTIVAL
When: Aug. 17 to 19 Where: Borstad Hill, Muskoseepi Park, Grande Prairie Website: bearcreekfolkfest.org Headliners: City and Colour, Birds of Chicago, Colin James, Michael Franti and Spearhead, Sharon and Bram
Tickets: Festival passes are $50 to $185, available from the festival website. Individual day tickets are also available.
Why you should go: Who doesn’t enjoy a day trip out to see an eclectic festival?
COME BY THE HILLS MUSIC FESTIVAL
When: Aug. 17 and 18 Where: Mistahiya Retreat Centre, near Wainwright. Check website for directions Website: comebythehills.ca Headliners: Rooster Davis, Alee, 100 Mile House, Darby Mills Tickets: Festival passes are $60 to $80, available at the gate or from the website. Individual day tickets also available. Why you should go: Friendly, small festival with an impressive lineup.
EDMONTON BLUES FESTIVAL
When: Aug. 24 to 26 Where: Heritage Amphitheatre, Hawrelak Park
Website: bluesinternationalltd.
com
Headliners: Samantha Fish, Sugaray Rayford Big Band, MonkeyJunk, Booker T. Presents a Stax Revue and a journey through Soul, Blues, and R&B
Tickets: Festival passes are $122.23 to $143.49, available at the gate or in advance from the website. Individual day tickets also available.
Why you should go: All due respect to the other talented artists booked for the Blues Fest’s 20th anniversary, but any chance you get to see Booker T in action is one you absolutely have to take.
SYMPHONY UNDER THE SKY
When: Aug. 30 to Sept. 2 Where: Heritage Amphitheatre, Hawrelak Park Website: winspearcentre.com Headliners: Jim Witter, The Edmonton Symphony Orchestra Tickets: $75 to $140, available from the Winspear website. Individual day tickets also available. Why you should go: Hollywood hits, favourite melodies, Beethoven and Dvorak, and an evening of orchestrated ’70s folk with singer-songwriter Jim Witter.
SONIC FIELD DAY
When: Sept. 8
Where: Victoria Park Website: sonic1029.com Headliners: Arkells, Jimmy Eat World, The Glorious Sons, Cold War Kids
Tickets: $69.50 to $102.90, available at the gate or from Ticketmaster
Why you should go: Hold on to those last, glorious days of summer, kids, because it’s going to be a terrifying cold winter.