By Will McGuirk

40! Its a big number, brings with it reflection on a journey completed, some trepidation for the future, as if the best years are behind one. . . and yet not so much for Hillside Festival celebrating 40 years this July 28 through 30, 2023.

So no, its not a festival looking back, there’s no alumni of note gathering to celebrate such an anniversary. . . for Hillside age is just a number, its all about whats next, who’s next, and how the next will happen. Its what I love about this island based festival in Guelph, seeing the now and the new.

Maybe perhaps one nod to the past may be the inclusion of Owen Pallett, who in 2009, gave one of the most intense performances, in a rain storm, gathering all those in attendance in an almost Biblical embrace. unbelievable, unforgettable, and he is among the scores of artists scheduled over the three days of the festival.

Scores of artists you maybe don’t know. . . yet. We say yet because Hillside is known as the breakout fest, the Saturday night Island and Lake stage have hosted bands just on the verge. And there are of course scores of artists you may know but whom are not necessarily household names, such as the iconic singer/songwriter Willie Nile, and Martha Wainwright, Hayden, Tami Neilson, U.S. Girls, and Will Butler of Arcade Fire. Fab artists all.

And on the recommended list for us at Slowcity.ca? Well this year no Durham Region artists to note, but as shows have opened here in the D-Rack, bands have come through so there is some familiarity with some of the bands on the line-up, Billianne for one, surberb voice, also Begonia, Ariel Posen, Zoon, Debby Friday, Julianna Riolino, and of course we have been big fans of Daniel Romano’s Outfit as well as Steve Lambke’s work for donkeys.

The schedule as of now is:

FRIDAY, JULY 28
Bedouin Soundclash, Bibi Club, DEBBY FRIDAY, JamSchool Youth Showcase, Royal Castles, Tami Neilson

SATURDAY, JULY 29
Adrian Sutherland, Catherine MacLellan, DakhaBrakha, Izzie Walsh, Lynn Jackson, Moontricks, Priyanka, Sultans of String, Tiny Horse, U.S. Girls, Willie Nile

SUNDAY, JULY 30
Begonia, BuenRostro, Cheikh Ibra Fam, Ghostly Kisses, Hayden, The Human Rights, Kandy Guira, Leith Ross, Lola Kirke, Owen Pallett, Riki Gee’s Time’s Front Lawn, Sunday Gospel Session, Wendy McNeill, Zoh Amba

Tickets available here ->

By Will McGuirk

Opening even as its getting closer, its a balance. There’s anxiety, bravado, averted eye determination, and a strange nostalgia for that slower time, even though it came packaged in privilege. We may be all equally vulnerable but we are not all equally impacted.

“This is a song for the unsung heroes,” the Blood, Sweat & Tears frontman shares. “I wanted to say thank you to the paramedics, firefighters, police officers, doctors, nurses, essential workers…

“I wanted to say thank you to all of the folks that put their lives on the line every day in dangerous and uncertain times.”

“I was reading through old poems and journal entries and circling the drain of my own sorrow stories, which felt like a bit of a wake up call. I have all these ideas of what taking care of myself looks like, but I tend to get in my own way. Bummer Days is me calling myself out. I am the only person who will take responsibility for my emotional and mental health.” - Liza Anne

“Music in general makes people feel good but especially at this time it is so important to make sure the people and the staff who are working so hard are given a moment to breathe and ground themselves through this.” -Jesse Maxwell

Hillside 2023: 40 years of looking forward

Slowcity.ca Open Mic with Owen Pallett, David Clayton-Thomas, Idles, Liza Anne, Jesse Maxwell, Royal Canoe, Margo Price, and Rich Aucoin