Raise your heart rate and take a deep breath of fresh air: It’s almost time to stock up on enough summer fun to get you through next winter. Every summer, BC attracts some of the biggest performers worldwide to its music festivals. Here is a rundown on some of the best festivals at whatever distance you want to travel.
For the homebody
The Vancouver Folk Music Festival (Jericho Beach Park, UBC)
If you are looking for that unplugged vibe, the Vancouver Folk Music Festival is set to feature the best folk artists from around the Lower Mainland. The chill atmosphere at the event is also ideal for those who don’t enjoy being jostled around by the crowd.
Vancouver International Jazz Festival (Vancouver)
The Vancouver International Jazz Festival will be held at several locations across Vancouver. This year’s festival is set to kick off with six-time Grammy winner Buddy Guy, and will feature artists for all jazz tastes at whatever venue you prefer.
FVDED in the Park (Holland Park, Surrey)
The unpronounceable but popular FVDED in the Park returns to Surrey this summer. This year’s lineup includes Deadmau5 and The Weeknd. If rap, hip-hop, or R&B is your thing, this festival is packed with some of the best around — it is sure to be a wild night for all of those party animals out there.
For the day-tripper
Squamish Music Festival
By far the biggest festival to hit BC this summer will be the Squamish Music Festival. The stellar line-up this year includes headliners Mumford & Sons and Drake, alongside indie sensation Of Monsters and Men.
This festival is ideal for top 40 music lovers, as they will get to hear some of the most popular hits from the past year. As always, indie fans will be overwhelmed trying to choose which bands to go see.
Pemberton Music Festival
The Pemberton Music Festival has just released their outstanding lineup, which includes The Black Keys, Hozier, and Missy Elliot alongside an astronomical array of genres including indie rock, rap, electronic, and alternative.
Any music fan will be scrambling to choose which artists to go see.
For the adventurous soul
Center of Gravity (Kelowna)
The Center of Gravity beach festival in Kelowna is a big draw for fans in the interior. This July, the heart of Kelowna will be lit up by the festival’s many sports and music events.
Past lineups have included music sensations like Tegan and Sarah and Chromeo, so if you like (Canadian) indie pop, keep an eye out for this year’s line-up.
Sunfest (Duncan) and Rockin’ River Musicfest (Meritt)
Sunfest and Rockin’ River are two huge country music festivals that take place on the August long weekend on opposite sides of the province. Both of these festivals draw huge stars: this year Sunfest features Keith Urban, and Rockin’ River has confirmed Lady Antebellum. For any major country fans, deciding which of these festivals to attend is going to be a trial.
No matter your travel spirit, there is a summer music festival somewhere in BC just for you. When you go, make sure to snap a few photos to remind yourself just how great the summer of 2015 was for next winter.
