2016 Island Music Festivals
It’s spring and festival buzz is in the air. It feels like lineups are appearing daily and summer can’t come soon enough. Vancouver Island is so rich with music but also with natural beauty, festivals here are more than just a bunch of bands in one location they are true community builders. Whether you’re part of the die hard festival community or if you just want to pop in for a day or two to see your favourite band there are seemingly endless opportunities to see music on the Island this summer.
I’m not going to pretend that I have them all listed below or that I’ve been to them all. If you know of a great Island festival that I’ve missed please let us know! If you want help getting word out about your band, festival, or performance this summer, again let us know! Comment below or email us at info@thepotentiallyfamous.com.
Here we go, Island Music Festivals 2016!
SOOKE RIVER BLUEGRASS FESTIVAL
Sooke
June 17th – 19th
'The festival is family friendly and features an array of local & visiting acoustic talent, food & merchandise vendors, instrument workshops and beautiful scenery.'
VICTORIA SKA & REGGAE FEST
Victoria
June 22nd – June 25th
This is a multi day, multi venue festival in downtown Victoria. If you're into Ska this is a super fun way to check out new bands, local favourites, and out of town acts.
TD VICTORIA INTERNATIONAL JAZZ FEST
Victoria
June 24th – July 3rd
Always a favourite is Victoria locals, there are so many bands at so many venues there’s no excuse not to make it to at least one show!
TALL TREE MUSIC FESTIVAL
Port Renfrew
June 30th – July 3rd
Imagine seeing your favourite bands on top of a mountain. It happens every year at Brown’s Mountain outside of Port Renfrew. This little festival has a special place in our hearts as Daniel has been making their videos for the last six years. This past year we also filmed ‘Das Music’ the German music show hosted by Hansel (vid below).
VANCOUVER ISLAND MUSIC FESTIVAL
Courtenay
July 8th – 10th
This year the Vancouver Island Music Festival is hosting such a wide variety of musical talent, from Serena Ryder to 54-40 to Ashely MacIsaac. This is a must on your summer festival calendar.
PHILLIPS BACKYARD WEEKENDER
Victoria
July 8th – 10th
You love the beer now go check out their sweet backyard venue.
ROCK OF THE WOODS
Cowichan Valley
July 21st – 24th
In the heat of July you could be camping in the woods next tot the Cowichan River listening to some awesome bands. This would be your life if you went to Rock of the Woods. Just saying.
ROCK OF THE SHORES
Colwood
July 22nd – 24th
ISLAND FOLK FESTIVAL
Duncan
July 22nd – 24th
'Music lovers from all over Vancouver Island and the Gulf Islands are invited to join this celebration of music, featuring all the best elements of a homegrown folk festival.'
SUNFEST COUNTRY MUSIC FESTIVAL
Lake Cowichan
July 28th – 31st
Big time country music festival. This year Carrie Underwood is headlining. Here is the video we created for Sunfest last summer.
ATMOSPHERE GATHERING
Cumberland
August 17th – 21st
Atmosphere is a purposely intimate camping festival in the North Island. There's only 1,500 tickets to this hidden gem, so if you want to check it out add it to your calendar now!
Otalith Festival
Tofino and Ucluelet
August 19th, 20th
Set on the beautiful west coast of Vancouver Island the Otalith Festival perfectly combines music with outdoor splendour. Plan your weekend around the music and fill any gaps with surfing.
RIFFLANDIA
Victoria
September 15 -18
This is festival is so much fun and a great cap to the festival season. Here’s the video we shot last year when Rifflandia joined forces with Breakout West for a festival larger than the city itself!
