In a few short weeks one of Toronto’s best festivals will take over Fort York and unleash a stellar lineup. Death Cab for Cutie, James Bay and (for the nostalgic ones) Jimmy Eat World are just a few names drawing people in. But there are some amazing up and coming performers that should not be missed. Often times if the band is unknown, festival goers might not care as much if they arrive a little late for the set, or grab a beer during. Well, if you’re unsure of when to opt for a break, make certain that you don’t miss these names.
Wild Child
Wild Child make fans fall in love by telling them intimate stories in the form of songs. Vocalists Kelsey Wilson and Alexander Beggins beautifully confess their souls with homage to their Texas roots whittled into their unqiue campfire indie-pop.
The Belle Game
Twistedly pop, The Belle Game find a way to create an energy that makes their music thrive. The Vancover-based band disappeared off the scene for a little while, but resurfaced with a shiny new sound, with the same elements that made them so unqiue before. Check out River, off of their debut album.
Limblifter
2016 marks the band’s 20th anniversary of their self-titled debut album. They are a throwback to angsty grunge palatable for adults, kind of like if Death Cab for Cutie was a little more rock. The 2015 release of the album Pacific Milk is a masterpiece and a must hear.
Marlon Williams
Listening to Marlon William’s is like taking a walk down an abandoned road. Walking forward, there is an impending feeling that something menacing is close behind. Capturing audiences with hunting stories with equal parts beauty and country, William’s is a performer not to miss.
The Sadies
Familiar to TURF and Toronto The Sadies are a sound all of their own; bluegrass, blues, psychedelic, garage rock, all these and more can be found in the talents various albums. Their stage presence is enticingly unique and each show is never quite like the last.
August 19th -21st 2016 – Camp Wavelength, a three day long music festival on Toronto Island, held home to 44 artists. Operators, Young Galaxy and Cloud Nothings. The fest mixed, art, the beach and music for a three day long trip to another world. Check out the gallery below!
Day One
Operators headlining night one of Camp Wavelength.M.A. Beat
For Esme
Jef E. Barbra’s Blank Space
Operators
Wolf Saga
Day Two
Cloud Nothings ending off night two – August 20th, 2016Hex
Moss Lime
Casper Skulls
Speck Won
Odonis Odonis
Cloud Nothings
Day Three
Young Galaxy @ Wavelength on the final day of the festival – August 21st 2016Castle If
Mother Mother – before their set closing out night two of the festival.
Ever wonder what goes on before the bands take the stage? Get a sneak peak with the bands of ODBF. Playing frisbee, lounging on the grass or inside trailers, most bands liked a little R&R before their sets. Here is a quick gallery of what went on behind the scenes this past weekend.
Mother Mother
Mother Mother
Nap Eyes and Alvvays
Nap Eyes
Alvvays before their set Saturday night
Alvvays backstage
Nap Eyes / Alvvays
The Beaches after their set Friday
The Beaches
The Beaches
Ria Mae
Ria Mae backstage
The Muscadettes
The Muscadettes
The Muscadettes backstage posing for photograpghers
June 24th 2016 – Mother Mother at Ottawa Dragon Boat Festival. Check out photos from night two of the four day long free concert series featuring: The Beaches and Ria Mae. Want more? Check out day one photos featuring July Talk here. The Beaches
June 25th, 2016- Alvvays close out night three of four Ottawa Dragon Boat Fest’s free concert series. Nap Eyes and Pony Girl took the stage earlier on in the evening. Check out the photos below! and more from previous nights with July Talk and Mother Mother.
Thursday June 26th, 2016 – July Talk headlining Ottawa Dragon Boat Festival. A weekend of boat races, awards and free concerts. Ottawa Dragon Boat Festival is a music lovers dream. Mooney’s Bay welcomes artists such as July Talk, Mother Mother and Alvvays for this weekend’s line up.Modern Space
June 16th – Chastity Belt, Fake Palms and Twist start off No Fest. A two day long festival, featuring indie stars taking place at The Garrison.Chastity Belt
Photos by Taija Anderson | June 16th: Alt-rock band Jane’s Party during their NXNE set at Yonge and Dundas Square apart of the festival’s Gameland series.
From Toronto, Ferraro during their set @ Yonge and Dundas Square’s Gameland.
Most everyone stands at the main stage. The first day of Field Trip is nearly over. The sun goes down cooling the growing crowd. In well-worn muddy shoes with a camera around my neck, I shift my weight to my other foot. Glancing around at the familiar photographers waiting at the photo pit entrance, I smile, nod and laugh in conversation. Security gives the wave as July Talk is about to take the stage. The crowd is cheering the band’s name from behind the barrier to the left. To the right, in matching black outfits, five stone-faced men stand in a line at the stage.
A large man with yellow vest blocks the photo-pit entrance, checking wristbands as each photographer enters the pit. With shoulders back and my head held high as I hold my wristband high and step past, nothing new. My wristband had gotten me into the pits all day long…(so far).
“Hold it.” The man said. “What is this?” Ignoring personal space he grabs my wrist, turning the yellow band. He eyes it, and then stares at me.
“I’m here for the festival.” I say simply. He drops my arm and nods. I take my spot in the pit pretending that I didn’t have a mini-heart attack, because…well, I’m not saying I snuck into field trip but I’m not saying I didn’t. I’m just saying I was there. I won’t say how. But I will say thank you!
Back to security: now, let’s note, I wasn’t lying EXACTLY. I was there for the festival; it’s not my fault if he assumed I was in the pit shooting for the festival. That’s simply, a misunderstanding on his end.
Now, this wasn’t exactly easy (at first). There were a few things I had to learn, and learn quickly when it came to being somewhere I wasn’t technically allowed.
First, confidence is everything…EVERYTHING. If you can convince yourself you belong, everyone else will follow. In the beginning I was content with shooting from the crowd. People were polite, everyone respected my space and I had the equipment. After the first band, my limitations from shooting from the crowd were apparent. More people were coming and it wasn’t as easy to move. Not impossible, but more of a challenge.
Bully was up next and the pit was open and…fuck it. I went for the pit. The security guard was off to the side. Photographers entered the pit, with wristbands completely different than mine. With shoulders back and head held high I hold my dinky camera in front of me and walked past as if I was the most important person in the world. The few in knew in the pit waved to me. While slipping right under security waving my arm for him to get a glance at my wrist band, as if I’d done it a thousand times before. A few stares from security came my way.
Before anyone could give me another look, I realized it’s about who you know. No one is going to say anything to you when you walk up to the photo pit and are met with waves from the big guys.
“How’s it going?” a familiar voice called as I took a spot beside him.
“Great. How are you?” I asked.
“Great. Where’s that red wristband? “ He winked.
“Shh…”
“Excuse me.” I heard hollered behind me. A mini heart attack ensued. I turned slightly, realizing he wasn’t talking to me but another media outlet that wasn’t granted pit access. The girl turned away, taking a place in the crowd.
A few more shows later, and a tummy full of fries. I headed back to the smaller stage, this time fewer were in the pit.
“Hey, where is your media pass?” The security guarded asked midway through Holy Fuck’s set. I lowered my camera, politely, yet gave off enough of an attitude for him to know he was disrupting me while I was working.
I could have panicked…but then he would have known I wasn’t supposed to be there. Point being. In this moment, you can really only stay calm and again, go back to point number one. Confidence is everything, but more importantly: be prepared to stick with your bullshit.
“I’m here for the festival.” I said confidently.
*He stares* His hands reaches toward the walkie-talkie strapped to his chest. He hit the button and before he could talk I interrupted. Now I don’t want to say lying helps, but twisting the hell out of truth sure does.
“Oh, I was given this. It has given me pit access all day. Is there a problem? Should I request a media pass with the front?” I say waving my bracelet.
Security guard stares, dropping his hand.
…Kinda. When in doubt…lie…lie…lie…if you believe it they will too.
“Do you need me to email someone?” I asked pulling out my phone.
“Oh, no no. You’re right. It’s cool. My mistake.” He said backing away.
“No problem.” I said raising my camera.
Situation averted.
Throughout out the festival my debatable presence was only questioned a few times. The second day there were different security guards and I had to start from scratch.
The festival began, but was shut down and evacuated as soon as the flash flooding began. Arriving after the entire debacle once the festival reopened, I checked the security situation. Different faces. My heart-raced again, after the familiarity of yesterday’s guards were gone.
Yet again, Itook a chance.
Waiting at the pit with the other photographers we spoke of the evacuation and the cancelled shows. Things were behind and pushed back, but everyone was grateful the rest wasn’t cancelled.
DIIV was up and it was time to enter the pit.
“What’s this?” The guard asked me. With a frown he stared at my wristband. I could tell he was mentally recalling which bands were allowed in the pit. He had just sent two people away for not having the right ones. There was difference between me and them: our answers. When asked the same question they answered with “Umm…” and a panic in their eyes. Replaying everything I learned the day before, I let out an easy breath and smile.