Starting in 2006, SAPPYFEST is an annual music festival held every summer in Sackville. In its short lifespan, it has become one of the biggest indie rock festivals in the Maritime region. This year was definitely the biggest yet. It started on Friday and went until Sunday evening. In those three days, more than 40 bands played here! More than 600 people migrated to Sackville. I had never seen the town so busy - it was awesome! There were people just everywhere downtown and temporary campsites were being put up left right and centre.Bridge St. was cordoned off and filled with a huge outdoor tent. This was the mainstage. The Vogue Theatre, Uncle Larry's, United Church, and Sackville Music Hall were also used as music venues. The mainstage was so much fun. In the tented area was the music of course, but also BBQs, merch tables, beer tables, and more. Throughout the weekend, people drew chalk art all over the street. There were random sing alongs busting out as well as craft and record fairs. The overall spirit was just so amazing and infectious. It was so strange to be at a Sackville show and NOT know almost everyone around you - but I loved seeing the town so busy.
The other funny thing about it all was that it turned into an impromptu reunion weekend. In the first few hours on Friday, I ran into dozens of old MTA friends who have graduated but returned for the weekend. It was amazing!
The lineup of bands this year really proved how amazing this festival has become. We had the likes of:
-Destroyer (Dan Bejar from The New Pornographers)
-Eric's Trip
-Julie Doiron
-Ohbijou
-Rock Plaza Central
-Ladyhawk
-Attack in Black
-Wintersleep
-The Burning Hell, and
-Old Man Luedecke
I hung around at all of the stages through the weekend soaking in as much music as I could. Along the way I discovered some great new bands and sounds, and also enjoyed great sets from some of my tested favourites. Here is my list of the top shows I saw:
-100 Dollars
-The Gertrudes
-Jon Rae Fletcher
-Ohbijou
-Ladyhawk
-Timber Timbre
-Calvin Johnson
-Attack in Black, and
-Wintersleep
All of these bands or artists are worth checking out. 100 Dollars is an amazing blend of alternative country with sultry indie rock, led by beautiful female vocals. The Gertrudes were my favourite new discovery: A huge group of around 8 musicians from Ontario who play a beautiful blend of folk and indie music with creative vocals and instrumental arrangements. Jon Rae sounded as great as ever, even without his old backing band The River. Ohbijou are a lovely new band gaining steam. Their female lead singer has one of the most intense and attractive voices I have heard in indie rock in a long time! Ladyhawk made BC proud with an intense set of hard core indie rock with loud vocals and searing guitar solos. Timber Timbre was an interesting discovery. Atmospheric indie music at its best. Calvin Johnson is beyond description; however, I will just say that his dance moves alone are worth the price of admission! Attack in Black are a slick and impressive band pumping out solid blues-infused rock tunes. Last, but certainly not least, is Halifax's own Wintersleep. This was the third time I have seen this band, and thus far they have not failed to impress me. I love their albums and their show is even better. It was loud, intense, layered, and fun! This set was their best yet to be honest. The energy was amazing and their instrumental improvs were so impressive. The drummer absolutely stole the whole show for me. I look forward to seeing them again sometime soon.
Well I think that is enough gushing from me about the joys of SAPPY and indie rock. Things have quieted down again in Sackville, which I guess is nice.
I will be heading back to Vancouver at the end of the week to visit family. It has been a long time since I have been back to the West Coast, so I am excited to return. I am going to see lots of people, hopefully do some shopping, and of course eat as much sushi as I can in the time that I am there!
See you all again soon!
Landon
lsbraverman@mta.ca
0 comments:
Post a Comment