Music fans spilled into the Phillips Brewing Tasting Room, the Mecca of Victoria’s craft beer scene for the much anticipated Phillips Backyard Weekender festival line-up announcement on an early June evening.
The beer flowed as festival goers mingled and hopping with high expectations for this year’s festival while a mixtape of artists from previous years played over the sound system. The evening finally came to a head when local radio host, Jon Williams picked up the microphone and poured out one head of a festival line-up.
Friday night features legendary english roots reggae band, Steel Pulse. The band has been consistently touring and putting out reggae hits since the mid 1970’s. Also performing that evening is crowd favourite, DJ Z-Trip. Followed by Random Recipe, and Victoria’s very own The Brass.
Arguably the biggest act of the festival is Detroit’s Danny Brown who is set to headline the hip-hop heavy Saturday night. After Danny’s epic set during Rifflandia a few years back it is great to see him return. He’ll be joined by Surrey based phenom, Merkcules and Canadian mainstay, K-OS.
Things get a little more alternative with Brooklyn based indie rockers, Dirty Projectors taking on the Weekender’s final headlining position. Excitingly unique Yamantaka // Sonic Titan a progressive rock arts collective will certainly catch the interest of attendees.
Single day tickets start at $39.50 and full 3-day festival passes are $99.50 and are available online at backyardweekender.com
Since the festival’s inception in 2013 it has brought one of the most diverse and entertaining assortment of musicians to Victoria, BC. From legendary hip-hop acts like De La Soul, Talib Kweli, DJ Jazzy Jeff, Buck 65, and The Sorority to the funky and soulful Charles Bradley, Allen Stone, Easy Star All Stars, and The Revolution.
We’ve also seen the likes of the Rolling Stone’s saxophonist, Karl Denson’s Tiny Universe as well as alternative acts like Milky Chance, Current Swell, Bahamas, PPL MVR, Built to Spill, !!!, Reggie Watts, Cake, and USS.
