Photograph by Tyson Elder
Sure, we’re all excited to see The Black Keys, Jane’s Addiction, TV on the Radio, and Father John Misty, but who are the underdogs you should be getting out of bed to see earlier in the day at Rock The Shores? Luckily, YYJ Rocktographers is here to help you learn who all the cool new bands are before everyone else.
PPL MVR
3:10PM Sunday, 19TH
Like Reignwolf in 2013, we believe PPL MVR is going to be one of the most talked about bands after this Rock The Shores. The hard-rocking three piece dress in Sasquatch costumes during their performances, interviews, and backstage. And, because they always wear these costumes, no one really knows who they are. A lot of people suspect that they might be members of Brand New or Bright Light Social Hour or possibly even Andrew W.K. All we know is they are going to be entertaining live. Is Bigfeets the plural of Bigfoot?
Kim Churchill
2:10PM Sunday, 19TH
Last summer Australia’s Kim Churchill crushed at the Phillips Backyard Weekender. Kim is constantly on tour, but keeps returning to Victoria with kinship for the music scene here on the west coast. It’ll be exciting to see him bring his entertaining solo show to the main stage of Rock The Shores. He will certainly be leaving with lots of new fans.
Willa
12:30PM Saturday, 18th
One of the few female fronted acts performing this year is Vancouver’s Willa. Former jazz singer Ali Milner formed this new dark and moody electro-pop band. Having seen her perform at the Rifflandia VIP Afterparty last year, we think her sound will be an interesting shift from the rock sounds of Rock the Shores.
Scott Hellman
1:15PM SATURDAY, 18TH
Nominated for a 2015 MMVA, a summer tour supporting the likes of Walk off the Earth, and fresh off the boots of his debut EP, Scott Helman is on the trajectory to greatness. Oh – and did we mention he is only 19? We know it must get old for Scott to be constantly defined by his age, but the amount that he has accomplished so far is truly staggering. Catch him now, before he takes the world by storm.
The Glorious Sons
3:00PM Sunday, 19th
The Glorious Sons‘ career launched when they became the winners of Rocksearch, sort of the East coast’s version of the Peak Performance Project, just as The Trews had done 10 years earlier. Some genuinely radical dudes who YYJ Rocktographers had the pleasure of hanging out with last year at Rifflandia. Listen to their single “Heavy” and you’ll know why the Glorious Sons will put the “Rock” into Rock the Shores.
Zerbin
12:30PM SUNDAY, 19TH
Zerbin (Jason Zerbin and Peter Mol) loved touring through Victoria so much that they moved here from Edmonton. Their new album, “Darling,” has a track called “Worlds on Fire” proving to be just as catchy as their breakout hit, “New Earth.” It’ll be great to see them for the first time on the RTS stage.
Jesse Roper
1:15PM Sunday, 19TH
The shining star of Metchosin, Jesse Roper is one of those talents which seems one micrometer from superstardom. The Roper Show melted plenty of faces at last year’s RTS, and he’s back again to undoubtedly show off his guitar magic and incredible stage presence.