On Sunday morning we were greeted with dark grey skies and awoken by the soothing pitter-patter of a light West Coast rain on our bedroom windows.
Victoria was not going to let Mother Nature ruin a good time.
Fighting off the beer-induced hangover with a hot cup of java from our local coffee shop and armed with our most waterproof Vans and jean jackets we descended on the Phillips Backyard for the last day of the Glitterbomber.
Okay, so most people wore their waterproof jackets and Blundstones but we wanted to look like “the cool kids.” The soaking wet cool kids.
Much like the rest of us – the Phillips Backyard was a little slow getting going on Sunday afternoon. Unlike us with our hangover the site was dealing with some technical issues caused by the overnight rains but that was quickly rectified and the day proceeded with minimal issues.
Despite the delayed start Duncan’s Young Negrensé was explosive on stage. This up-and-coming artist knew how to seize the small crowd that was there and have them in the palm of his hand. His shortened set was still packed with to the brim with songs Honeydew and Highway to the Sun.
Young Negrensé was one of our most anticipated local acts of the festival and he certainly didn’t disappoint. Our only issue was that we were often distracted by his full film crew following his every movement on stage making it difficult to capture his full energy.
Throughout the day the rain seemed to hold off for the initial part of each performers set but eventually opening up to a full downpour before they were finished. It made for an extra wet and wild dance party during local DJ Murge’s set.
Fresh off an airplane back from the Junos that morning, Murge made the best of a damp situation and leaned heavy into his Golden Era of Hip Hop set. Quickly everyone was singing along to classic songs that harkened back to Murge’s early days at Lucky Bar. Halfway through his set, Ashleigh Eymann bounced onstage bringing the festival energy to an all time high. With their energies combined you forgot that it was raining… even if it was just for a minute.
If there is one band that can summon the sunshine it is Astrocolor.
Donning their finest summery threads Astrocolor took the stage ready to bring the good vibes. The band, a staple of the music and festival scenes in town have had many incarnations over the years. This however was their best looking and grooviest sounding one to date.
Quickly, band-maestro, Neil James’ energy outshone the band with bouncing energy, high kicks and a secret Samsonite suitcase full of musical goodies. Banging cowbells, tambourines and maracas along with percussionist, Andrew Poirier.
Lindsay Bryan, a new and welcoming addition to the Astrocolor live line-up. Seamlessly she rounded out the band as their much needed live singer to perform the many songs they have featuring guest vocalists. Let’s hope this position is permanent.
It was as if Astrocolor’s call for sunshine had worked as soul revivalist outfit, Durand Jones & The Indications set began.
Jones took a bow and revelled in the cheers of an adoring audience as he made his way to the front of the stage. It almost seemed planned as each band member shared beaming smile as they launched into their single, Smile, off their debut 2015 record.
While the band focused most of their performance on music from their latest release, Private Space, they also peppered in a fair amount of songs from American Love Call and their self-titled debut. Don’t You Know, Sea Gets Hotter and Sexy Thang packed a particular punch that had us grooving along.
The middle of their set was punctuated with two well placed covers. The first, Put a Smile on Your Face by E.J. & The Echoes and the second the always sing-along-able Young Americans by David Bowie. Warming all of our hearts as we still miss Bowie everyday.
At one point Durand Jones slipped off stage leaving drummer and singer, Aaron Frazer on vocal duties. It took us a moment to notice who was singing as Aaron was hidden behind a drum kit in a dusty pink jacket. We could see why Dan Auerbach produced his solo record.
As Durand Jones crouched down on the stage inches from the crowd to sing the final notes of Witchoo – we knew Victoria needs to see The Indications again.
To be honest – before the Glitterbomber weekend announcement we didn’t know too much about American rapper, Bryce Vine. After a deep dive into his discography we were hyped to see him in the Phillips Backyard.
It’s not often you find an artist from any genre of music that crafts songs like Bryce Vine. Bryce Vine is a storyteller. His are a honest, intelligent yet have that catchy hook that keeps your holding on.
Much like Zach from The Zolas the day before Bryce Vine made the stack in front of the stage his home. Interacting with the admiring audience, borrowing sunglasses and even borrowing an Instax camera to take a selfie. “I’m only doing this because this camera looks retro,” he mentioned before a flash of light went off lighting the front row.
If you weren’t singing along to Vine’s mega-hits La La Land, Sour Patch Kids or Drew Barrymore you were the odd one out. His music is infectious while not taking itself too seriously.
Looking back on this rainy mid-May music festival we wouldn’t change a single thing. The Glitterbomber was exactly what we needed and a perfect way to usher back music festivals on Vancouver Island. We are already counting down the days until we are back in the Phillips Backyard for Tilt! in July.
