Festival Season is officially here!
Rocktographers is here to help you make the most of your festival by doing the research for you. You’ve come for the headliners, but what about all the other bands playing throughout the day? We’ve got you covered.
This will give you more time to worry about how much sunscreen you should apply and which essential festival treasures to stuff your fanny pack with.
Here are some bands we think are worth your time and earholes at this year’s installment of Rock The Shores happening July 13th–15th, 2018 in Victoria, BC.
Youngblood
1:50PM, Friday, 13th
Last year, Vancouver’s Youngblood blew us away during their Rifflandia set at the Capital Ballroom. Since then, we’ve followed their every move. They describe themselves as “what the ’60s thought the future would sound like,” and we wouldn’t complain if it turned out those futurists in 1960 were right. Frontwoman Alexis Young is one of the most captivating entertainers to watch perform live.
Our very own Lindsey Blane directed and shot their cover of Mother Mother’s ‘Ghosting,’ too.
The Elwins
2:40PM, Friday, 13th
Hey! Ya, You. Did you know that Keswick, Ontario’s own Elwins are playing Rock The Shores this year? Well, it’s true. Still riding high on a breakout 2018, the Elwins’ retro-surf sound is a perfect fit for a westshore weekend on the water. Also, any band who does a genuinely kick ass cover of the seminal Eddie Murphy / Rick James classic ‘Party All The Time’ deserves your attention. Tell your boss you’re sick and check them out on the mainstage at 2:40pm on Friday.
Juliette & The Licks
6:30PM, Friday, 13th
Juliette & The Licks are Natural Born Rockers (hold on, there’s going to be a couple more). Hailing from West Hollywood, California and fronted by Academy Award nominee Juliette Lewis, Juliette & The Licks are bringing their brand of grungy, driving smoke-rock to Victoria for the very first time. If you’re looking for your first mosh pit of the summer, have no Cape Fear – this will be your chance to Whip It. While they’re not playing From Dusk Till Dawn, they will hit the Main Stage at 6:30pm on Friday night. National Lampoon’s Christmas Vacation.
Lo Waight & The Rattlesnakes
12:30PM, Saturday, 14th
July’s Zone Band of the Month Lo Waight & the Rattlesnakes has been making waves in Victoria this year with multiple showcase concerts, and is now opening up the Saturday of Rock The Shores. We can’t wait to hear this alternative country-folk act serenade festivalgoers as they flood the fields of that make up the festival grounds. If you can’t make it that early, or you want to see them again, Lo Waight & the Rattlesnakes have been added to the official afterparty at Capital Ballroom that night.
The Velveteins
1:55PM, Saturday, 17th
A three-piece hailing from The City of Champions, The Velveteins could be one of the sleeper acts of this year’s Rock The Shores. Groovy and modern, but with a strong sense of classic ’60s pop, you can catch them at 1:55pm on Saturday and be able to brag to friends for years that you saw them before they became huge.
Chuck Ragan
4:20PM, Saturday, 14th
You might know American singer-songwriter Chuck Ragan best for his work leading the band Hot Water Music, but in the past few years, he’s been focusing more on his solo work. Ragan’s music falls under the new genre of punk-rockers turned folk-country much bands like Frank Turner and Northcote. It’s hard not to love this kind of music and we are sure he’s about to make a lot of new fans during the festival.
Chersea
1:35PM, Sunday, 15th
Many of us have been dreaming of seeing the multi-instrumental songstress, Chersea again since here performance last summer opening for Moby at the Atrium during Rifflandia. Her layered, looping soundscapes and beautiful voice will be a welcome addition to Rock The Shores’ Paradise Picnic and an act you don’t want to miss.
Allen Stone
5:40PM, Sunday, 15th
The literal son of a preacher man, Allen Stone makes music that will reach you, teach you, and steal kisses from you on the sly. Stone’s genre bending sound ranges from easygoing soul-pop to ‘Innervisions’-era funk and R&B. You can check Allen Stone out as a very fitting part of the Sunday night lineup when he takes the mainstage at 5:40pm.