With the last instalment of the Phillips Backyard festival series quickly approaching we thought we’d make one last guide to who is on our must see list at the Implosion Explosion.
We will be singing along with St. Paul & The Broken Bones, Charlotte Day Wilson and Andy Shauf under a full moon and meteor shower (that’s right – a freakin’ meteor shower) but who else will be gracing the Phillips Backyard? Here is a handful of bands we think will pair well with a Solaris or two.
We are also accompanying our Who to See guide with a mixtape sampler of some of the great music coming to the Phillips Backyard this August. Implosion Explosion Mixtape.
Sampa The Great
Sunday, Phillips Backyard
Who is Sampa The Great? This is a question we’ve been diving into for the last few months in anticipation of the Phillips Implosion Explosion. To put it simply – Sampa The Great is… great! This Zambian-born, Botswana-raised rapper and songwriter has been turning heads for years with catchy rhythms are paired with politically charged lyrics. We are stoked to catch Sampa before she hits the road with Billie Eilish this fall.
Carmanah
Saturday, Phillips Backyard
If Vancouver Island could be summed up in a single band we think it would be Carmanah. Somehow Laura Mitic and her band capture the vibrations, the energy and soul of the West Coast and translate it back as stunning music. There isn’t a road trip, camping trip or adventure into the wilderness that isn’t complete without hearing at least a few of their songs. If we can’t be grooving by the campfire we will settle for being surrounded by our friends at Phillips Backyard.
The Bankes Brother
Saturday, Phillips Backyard
Can you say a band is seasoned but still up and coming? That’s what we’d say about The Bankes Brothers who wowed us with an opening set at All Ways Home Festival last year. This band of brothers has been crushing the local scene for years and are just about to break through. With a highly anticipated debut EP produced and mixed by Steve Bays (Hot Hot Heat, Mounties, and so much more) around the corner the Bankes Brothers are soon to be a household name.
SLEEP(SHAKE)
Saturday, Phillips Backyard
You might make SLEEP(SHAKE) as former band of the month, Shed Monkeys. They have done a lot of growing in the since their single, elephant was gracing our airwaves. Their live show is electric with a taste of the likes of Black Pistol Fire, Reignwolf, Little Destroyer and Hotel Mira. This will be the set people talk about on Saturday afternoon so arrive early to have your face melted.
Nicky Mackenzie
Saturday, Phillips Backyard
Vancouver-based singer-songwriter, Nicky Mackenzie makes her return to Victoria with a stop at the Implosion Explosion. We got our first of taste of Nicky’s sultry and jazz filled vocals last year at the All Ways Home Festival and we’ve been smitten since. Whether it is with her top-tier band of hired guns or a simple solo an acoustic set Nicky Mackenzie makes one hell of an impression. Without a doubt she will have a lot of new fans in the Phillips Backyard after this Sunday.
Frankiie
Sunday, Phillips Backyard
Vancouver’s Frankiie has been a staple of the British Columbia music scene for the better part of the last decade. The band’s noir-tinged psychedelic indie pop has been a mainstay at music festivals across Canada including Rifflandia and the now defunct Otalith. The band’s impeccable songwriting craft has earned them a loyal and dedicated following. We hope this will be a gateway to more Victoria shows in the future.
Find tickets to Phillips Brewing’s final festival of the summer Implosion Explosion happening this summer in the Phillips Backyard here.
Tickets range from $75-$125 CAD.