Organizers for the Wild Mountain Music Festival are warning revelers they may want to take Monday off in preparation for the music festival鈥檚 10th anniversary, July 14-16.
With headliners like Canadian legend Randy Bachman, of The Guess Who and Bachman-Turner Overdrive, and newcomers such as Vancouver鈥檚 Five Alarm Funk, the three-day festival promises to be a high-energy affair.
鈥淚 am so excited about the musical line up this year I think people are going to have to take Monday off of work,鈥� said Brian LeBerge, president of the festival.
On Friday night the festival will kick things off with seven artists, including David Wilcox and 54-40 followed by an equally stellar line up on Saturday that includes Scenic Route to Alaska, Big Sugar and Randy Bachman.
To ratchet up the energy, on Saturday afternoon A Tribute to Joe Cocker 鈥� The Mad Dogs Experience will take over centre stage for a two-hour show that won鈥檛 disappoint.
鈥淔or two hours you鈥檙e going to get the best rendition of Joe Cocker anywhere with a 16-piece band,鈥� said LeBerge. 鈥淲e鈥檝e got a full brass section, we鈥檝e got backline singers, it鈥檚 a big incredible show.鈥�
As the sun begins to fade, Big Sugar and Randy Bachman will take over musical duties in what is sure to be one the weekend鈥檚 biggest highlights.
鈥淩andy Bachman is a legend and an icon and really one of the architects of Canadian rock n鈥� roll,鈥� said LeBerge. 鈥淗e鈥檚 been doing this since the early 60s and the proof is in the pudding. It鈥檚 not just the fact that he had success in Canada, but his success is really international.鈥�
Five Alarm Funk will shut things down on Saturday night with their monster horns, crushing percussion and shredding psych-rock guitars.
鈥淵ou can鈥檛 not dance to that music, but live those guys completely rock it,鈥� said LeBerge.
Not to be outdone, on Sunday Basia Bulet, The Jerry Cans and Matt Anderson promise to keep the music alive.
With their unique mix of Inuktitut alt-country, throat singing and reggae, The Jerry Cans are a distinctly northern, one-of-a-kind performance. The band performs many of their songs in Inuktitut and promises to be something completely different.
Matt Anderson and his rich soulful voice will close out the 10th anniversary of the festival.
鈥淗e is such a massive talent,鈥� said LeBerge. 鈥淚鈥檝e seen him live once and he didn鈥檛 disappoint. His voice is baritone magic.鈥�
Following the final act of the weekend a public jam session will be held in the beer tent, an event that sometimes attracts the very same musicians who were just on stage.
Beyond the music there will also be 18 art vendors and a carefully curated selection of food vendors, including four vendors who will accept orders via text and deliver them to you.
鈥淵ou can actually text for food to be delivered into the bar,鈥� said LeBerge.
The kids zone has also been revamped this year including a full weekend of programming and children鈥檚 performers.
鈥淲e鈥檙e pretty proud of the fact that Wild Mountain is family friendly and more than just family friendly it鈥檚 really family focused and our children鈥檚 area I think is second to none,鈥� said LaBerge. 鈥淚f you have kids bring them along, we鈥檒l keep them safe and they鈥檒l have a great time.鈥�
A weekend pass costs $175 plus tax and can be bought in person at Wild Orchid Liquor Company, The Old Grind and Servus Credit Union in Hinton. Otherwise tickets can be bought online at: www.wildmtnmusic.ca.
Paul Clarke
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