music festivals

Iggy Pop performs in Victoria at Rifflandia 2023. (Sonica Parmar/Black Press Media)

PHOTOS: Rifflandia wraps up with big names on stage in Victoria

Iggy Pop, Melanie C, Diplo, Salt-N-Pepa, Stephen Marley round out final weekend

 

Paris Hilton performs Friday (Sept. 8) in Victoria at Rifflandia. (Katharine Brynjolfson/Black Press Media)

UPDATE: Former Spice Girl Melanie C joins Rifflandia lineup

Festival continues Sept. 15 to 17 after Paris Hilton, other big names hit the stage in Victoria

 

Naduh. (Cody Briggs)

Divine feminine energy celebrated in Victoria show

Vancouver-based Naduh brings their female superpowers to Rifflandia Sept. 9

 

Rifflandia will be at Electric Avenue Sept. 7-9 and The Park Sept. 15-17. (Mackenzie Lawrence)

Back-to-back weekends of Rifflandia in Victoria start Thursday

Rifflandia is now two weekends long, showcasing big names like Iggy Pop, Paris Hilton, Salt-N-Pepa, Diplo

  • Sep 1, 2023
Rifflandia will be at Electric Avenue Sept. 7-9 and The Park Sept. 15-17. (Mackenzie Lawrence)
Harbour Blues ‘N Roots Festival returns Aug. 25-27. (Johanna Vanderpol)

Harbour Blues and Roots festival boasts something for every musical taste

The Inner Harbour plays host to international musical stars

  • Jul 28, 2023
Harbour Blues ‘N Roots Festival returns Aug. 25-27. (Johanna Vanderpol)
Neil Smith, lead singer of Peach Pit, said their next album will have a new sound and be a heavier-hitting rock record that’s just fun to play live. (Courtesy Peach Pit)

Interview: Peach Pit

Peach Pit on being quirky, perfecting their sound, and why their upcoming record will be all about the live show

Neil Smith, lead singer of Peach Pit, said their next album will have a new sound and be a heavier-hitting rock record that’s just fun to play live. (Courtesy Peach Pit)
The Isidore String Quartet are one of many talented chamber musicians who will perform at this year's Victoria Summer Music Festival at the Phillip T. Young Recital Hall. (Courtesy Victoria Summer Music Festival)

Victoria Summer Music Festival returns July 25 with chamber passionate musical offerings

This year’s concert schedule features Marion Newman, the Emily Carr String Quartet, Kimberley-Ann Bartczak, Jaeden Izik-Dzurko and more

  • Jul 21, 2023
The Isidore String Quartet are one of many talented chamber musicians who will perform at this year's Victoria Summer Music Festival at the Phillip T. Young Recital Hall. (Courtesy Victoria Summer Music Festival)
American country star Blake Shelton will appear at 2023’s Sunfest. Shelton has been a judge on the televised singing competitions Nashville Star, Clash of the Choirs, and a coach on NBC’s The Voice from 2011 to 2023. (Courtesy Sunfest)

Three Chords and the truth

Sunfest is the Island’s annual country celebration

  • Jul 4, 2023
American country star Blake Shelton will appear at 2023’s Sunfest. Shelton has been a judge on the televised singing competitions Nashville Star, Clash of the Choirs, and a coach on NBC’s The Voice from 2011 to 2023. (Courtesy Sunfest)
Many B.C. festival favourites return this summer, including Laketown Shakedown, Sunfest, Shambhala and Nanaimo Blues Festival. (Courtesy Laketown Shakedown)

Road trip? Here’s some B.C. festivals to visit this summer

This festival preview features music and art festivals, from day trips to full-on camping weekends

Many B.C. festival favourites return this summer, including Laketown Shakedown, Sunfest, Shambhala and Nanaimo Blues Festival. (Courtesy Laketown Shakedown)
Teredo wood electric guitars with unique historic spruce tops from Vigilant Guitars. (Runegate Photography)

Victoria Guitar Show set for its second coming

Co-founder and event director Trevor Woodland talks to MM about current guitar trends

  • May 3, 2023
Teredo wood electric guitars with unique historic spruce tops from Vigilant Guitars. (Runegate Photography)
Brett Emmons, the Glorious Sons lead singer, performs at Laketown Shakedown on July 2, 2022. (Black Press Media file photo)

‘A huge opportunity’: Sooke band Shale thrilled to play Laketown Shakedown

Shale is performing at the festival at Laketown Ranch on July 2

Brett Emmons, the Glorious Sons lead singer, performs at Laketown Shakedown on July 2, 2022. (Black Press Media file photo)
Max Francis plays the fiddle at the 2022 Greater Victoria Performing Arts Festival. (Nick Delany)

The Greater Victoria Performing Arts Festival running April to May connects 4,800 performers to audiences

“It only becomes art if it touches other people.” ― Andreas Eschbach, The Carpet Makers

Max Francis plays the fiddle at the 2022 Greater Victoria Performing Arts Festival. (Nick Delany)
Victoria Ska & Reggae Fest crowd. (Victoria Ska Reggae Fest photo)

Victoria’s 2023 Ska & Reggae Fest is high-energy fun

Headliners include Maxi Priest, the Aggrolites, Kid Koala and more

Victoria Ska & Reggae Fest crowd. (Victoria Ska Reggae Fest photo)
The Helmuth Wolff & Associes Ltee, Op 47, organ built in 2005 in the Christ Church Cathedral. (Courtesy Mark Thompson)

Landmark Victoria organ in the spotlight at this year’s Pacific Baroque Festival

Annual event kicks off Feb. 15 at Christ Church Cathedral

The Helmuth Wolff & Associes Ltee, Op 47, organ built in 2005 in the Christ Church Cathedral. (Courtesy Mark Thompson)
The Viano String Quartet is playing the opening concert for this year’s Victoria Summer Music Festival, which kicks off July 28. (Courtesy Viano String Quartet)

Victoria Summer Music Festival opens Thursday at UVic recital hall

Viano String Quartet makes Greater Victoria debut with July 28 concert

The Viano String Quartet is playing the opening concert for this year’s Victoria Summer Music Festival, which kicks off July 28. (Courtesy Viano String Quartet)
Islands Folk Festival

Folk, family and fun

Islands Folk Festival back on at Providence Farm

  • Jul 22, 2022
Islands Folk Festival
Nick Middleton and Duncan Smith, a.k.a. The Funk Hunters, will perform at Philips Backyard on Sept. 25. (Photo by Rob Campbell)

Funk Hunters making triumphant return to Victoria, Sept. 25 in Phillips Backyard

Tickets on sale Aug. 4 for show, also featuring Moontricks, Diamond Cafe and LIINKS

Nick Middleton and Duncan Smith, a.k.a. The Funk Hunters, will perform at Philips Backyard on Sept. 25. (Photo by Rob Campbell)
The organizers of the annual 39 days of July festival hope to return to live shows in Charles Hoey Park this year, like in this photo taken in 2019, but audiences at the show may be limited to 50 people due to health protocols. (File photo)

39 Days of July hoping to stage outdoor events in Duncan this summer

Annual music festival will run from June 25 to Aug. 2 this year

The organizers of the annual 39 days of July festival hope to return to live shows in Charles Hoey Park this year, like in this photo taken in 2019, but audiences at the show may be limited to 50 people due to health protocols. (File photo)
Ben Worcester of Said the Whale takes the stage at the Five Acre Shaker in 2019. ELENA RARDON PHOTO

Five Acre Shaker music festival cancelled for 2020

Music festival at McLean Mill National Historic Site still looking to 2021

Ben Worcester of Said the Whale takes the stage at the Five Acre Shaker in 2019. ELENA RARDON PHOTO
Five Alarm Funk performing at the Islands Folk Festival in 2009 at Providence Farm in Duncan. This year’s Islands Folk Festival has been cancelled due to COVID-19. (Kevin Oke photo)

Islands Folk Festival cancelled in Cowichan for 2020

While we are disappointed, we stand behind the government’s decision

Five Alarm Funk performing at the Islands Folk Festival in 2009 at Providence Farm in Duncan. This year’s Islands Folk Festival has been cancelled due to COVID-19. (Kevin Oke photo)