A Tribe Called Red to close out Hillside 2018

By Will McGuirk

No skipping out early at Hillside this year, nope, phone in something on Monday because the Halluci-Nation are taking over Sunday evening and it is going to be a spectacular celebration not to be missed.

A Tribe Called Red have been announced as the closer for the Guelph-based music festival taking place on Guelph Island July 13-15.

And thats in addition to one of the most exciting and varied line-up in some time with Destroyer, Lido Pimienta, Hollerado, Plants and Animals, U.S. Girls, Cadence Weapon, Tamarack, Chad VanGaalen as well as Slowcity.ca pals Mappe Of, Annie Sumi and Crown Lands.  Plus of course so much more, three days of so much more!

Check here for  highly recommended tickets. 

Crown Lands, Mappe Off and Annie Sumi announced for Hillside, runs July 13-15 2018

By Will McGuirk

Hillside 2018 is going to be a lot of fun. The annual music fest in Guelph always is really but with three of my fave Durham Region acts on the bill its going to be even more so. All three, Crown Lands, Mappe Of and Annie Sumi are doing fine work, building and garnering even more attention as the days go by.

Crown Lands retro-psyche rawk, Mappe Of's prog-folk ramblings and Sumi's darling meditations are just a few of the great acts coming outta the Region, count Dizzy, Chastity, West Hammock, Matlock Expressway, Rory Taillon among those you will see and hear more of at festivals this year.

Its a good time in the D-Rawk however its odd I am also engaged in a FB conversation about how the Oshawa city staff are failing local acts by not booking them for their city-run events. Lot of work to do yet I guess but at least other communities are digging our kats and giving them a stage.

Hillside announced its full line up for its stages today and as per usual its as much on the edge as it ever was.  Destroyer!! Yes!! Adrian Underhill, Chad Van Gaalen, U.S. Girls, Partner, Walrus and Cancon classy folk trio Tamarack. Too many for me to bother typing but reality is Hillside is one of the highlights of the summer and more so when spent seeing pals get the accolades so justly deserved. Get your tickets, get your camping sites, get on it.

Five Festivals to Spring into: Guelph, Hamilton, Picton, Sarnia and TO

Kazoo! Fest Guelph Apr 11 to 15

So many bands, so much art, so much to do, Kazoo! is a celebration of the Royal City, with night markets and print expos and bands, bands, bands. And unless I gather you are deeply involved with Guelph’s underground scene builders you won’t know any of the bands, or maybe its just me. I know one Hymns 57. But if you want the definition of community builders  then look to Kazoo.

County Pop Picton Apr 28

Elliott Brood headlines the Prince Edward County based fest organised by Zunior.com and community partners. The all-day event runs Saturday Apr 28 at the Crystal Palace in Picton. Also on the bill Miss Emily, Lindsay Ferguson and KASHKA. Its family friendly so lots of activities for the children and its in the County so lots of great local food, wines, brews. 

Empty Fest Sarnia May 3, 4, 5

Polaris Prize winner Lido Pimienta leads the line-up for this 10th anniversary celebration of the Imperial City’s indie festival. Everything from psych, world, punk, synth-pop, big-band, folk, experimental and more will be heard over the three days taking place in four venues in the downtown. There are a lot of local acts, Bad Habit, Faids, Horseless Headmen and Gucc among them. Moon Dog will be travelling from Detroit. There is a free launch party March 30 featuring Yamantaka/ Sonic Titan.

21C Music Festival May 23- 27

Eight concerts, five days, 21C brings together some of todays most innovative musicians and composers. Kronos Quartet, Katia and Marielle Labeque, Simone Dinnerstein among them.

Hamilton Liquid Art Festival June 15 16

Juno winners The Beaches with help launch the first Collective Arts Festival. The brewery  will host brewers from across the globe. Line-up includes Lost Cousins, Mt. Joy and Jane’s Party plus more.