Let’s face it – Laketown Shakedown is bringing arguably the biggest act of the summer to the Laketown Ranch and Vancouver Island. Gwen fucking Stefani! We know we are ready to scream sing along to Spiderwebs, Just A Girl, Hollaback Girl, What You Waiting For? on Sunday evening (maybe even on Sunday Morning too) but who else should you be excited for? Rocktographers is here to help.
We’ve also made this handy playlist to get you excited to hit the Road to Laketown Shakedown.
There’s something about getting to The Ranch on a Friday to get the festivities started early. Pitching your tent and cracking that first ice cold adult beverage with friends and camp neighbours with the soundtrack of Jesse Roper and Jurassic 5’s DJ Nu-Mark filling the air. We recommend hitting the Malahat a little earlier to avoid some of that long weekend traffic and to catch some local acts that know how to get the party going
Our friends and yours, Trophy Dad, plan to give you the opening set of a lifetime. With their blend of storytelling, rock and good times they will leave you wanting more. They’ve also got a fresh new single, Believe, coming out shortly that you won’t want to miss live.
June’s Zone Band of the Month, Darrian Gerard won last year’s contest to play Laketown Shakedown – now she’s kicking ass on her own terms with a much deserved slot on opening night of the festival. If you want high energy pop-punk she’s your ticket. Honestly, her set might be the one we are most excited about this weekend.
Victoria’s Bankes Brothers have been having meteoric year. With tours of Europe and North America it seems this might be the last summer we see them on stages like this. Catch the boys before they are playing big arenas.
Usually, our Saturday gets off to a bit of a groggy and hungover start but that doesn’t stop us from hitting the lake for a quick dip and getting ready for a day full of rock.
If you haven’t seen Posh Coat live now is the time to do it. This Langford-based three-piece has been grinding away in the Victoria music scene over the past few years making a name for themselves with their live performances, hard work and catchy tunes.
We could easily say that Laketown Shakedown has nailed down the party rock vibes this year by bringing acts like Trophy Dad, Downtown Mischief, The New Groovement, Base Collective and Saskatchewan’s The Steadies. The Steadies have been on our radar for the past few years but it seems like every time they’ve rolled through town we’ve been at another event. We plan on remedying this as soon as possible with their performance at Laketown. This is a band that people are consistently raving about their fun live performances are.
Grandson has become a staple of the modern rock playlist with his genre bending sounds. His live sets seem to be mix of entertaining and captivating dark performance art that leaves you wanting more. We can only imagine how he’s going to use that tremendous catwalk that runs off the Laketown main stage. Busta Rhymes is going to have one hell of a set to follow.
Sunday, the day we all dread at a music festival. The fun is almost over – but not quite. There’s still a day to lather ourselves in extra strength sunscreen, eat one last camp meal before laughing and dancing with friends while we countdown to see the queen herself, Gwen Stefani.
Local indie rockers, Cold Fame have been riding the high of their latest banger, Hello Reaper. They’ll be bringing in that wave to kick-off the final day of Laketown Shakedown. Jodi have been known to get things heated up quickly on stage with her dance moves and hair whips. This could be your only chance to see the band this summer in Victoria before the release of their debut LP later this year.
As the sun slowly sinks behind the trees and mountains make sure to catch one of the most chaotic acts out there, BBNO$. We often think back to his intimate set at Wood Hall during Rifflandia in 2016 and his unforgettable explosive set at Royal Athletic in 2023. The Vancouver-based rapper has garnered a massive well earned following with a string of hits like Lalala, it boy and lil’ freak. We never know what to expect when BBNO$ rolls onto the stage but we know it’s going to be amazing.
The Laketown Ranch is a magical place to see live music, camp and have fun with your friends. No matter what musical acts they bring for Laketown Shakedown you know it’s going to be one of the best parties of the summer and we can’t wait to share those memories with you. See you on The Ranch!
Tickets to Laketown Shakedown are limited but still available. Get them before they are gone.