Livestock Niagara continues to propel region’s music scene
Downtown Niagara Falls will become ground central for the Niagara music scene from Sept. 7 to 9, when no less than 33 bands take to stages on Queen Street in the historic city core to blast out music ranging from reggae to chest-pounding rock to music hearkening back to the eclectic music of the Grateful Dead.
Watching it all will be Rafik Guirguis, who can’t help feeling like a proud papa as he sees the music event he created four years ago continue to grow and flourish.
Livestock Niagara 2018 may be bigger than its earlier versions, and this year marks a big change — admission will be paid for the first time, rather than free. But Guirguis said the fundamental philosophy of the event, taking place on two stages outside of Taps Brewery at 4680 Queen St., hasn’t changed.
“It’s a platform to give bands a place to showcase their talent,” he said.
“It’s like focal point (with) all the bands coming together. It’s a great networking event for the bands.”
Free admission in the past was possible due to city grants. But Guirguis said paid admission this year — tickets are $10 per day, or $25 for a full weekend pass — is a chance for Livestock to show it’s matured and evolved.
The music will go from 2 p.m. to 11 p.m. outside each day, followed by an indoor party at Taps.
The Friday lineup is described by Guirguis, headlined by My Son the Hurricane, featuring a 12piece band with eight horns, a male rapper and a female vocalist. “They’re such a cool band,” he said.
Street Pharmacy will be joined that day by The Kerouacs, The Matadors, Pindles, Eli and the Strawman, Revive the Rose, Pat Maloney and Eklectik.
Saturday’s lineup will feature a lot of soul and funk, headlined by LMT Connection, said Guirguis. Also performing will be Flat 5, Blind Mule, PJB, Eric Conlon, Ol’ Child, Kac, Lindsay Misiner, The Foxy Lionbears, and Gioncarlo Feltrin and the Scarfones.
Sunday’s vibe will have a psychedelic feel, said Guirguis, headlined by Road Waves. Also performing will be Fat Moth, Zuffalo, Must Stash Hat, Way Mannequin, Limestone-Chorus, The Treetops, Charles J. Hunk, and Ashlee Standish.
The event will feature an artisan village, and new Livestock craft beer — Livestock Lite Lager, and Rooster Red Ale — in partnership with Taps.
Tickets are available online at livestockniagara.com or at the gate.