Your heart is pounding, palms are sweating, and your eyes are
as wide as saucers — you’ve just arrived at the grounds of Pemberton Festival,
and aren’t sure which direction to run in first. Music lovers of all ages are
sure to be just like kids in a candy store this weekend, as big names coupled
with lesser known talents take to four stages throughout the three-day event.
But before your brain goes into overdrive trying to plan out every second of
your festival experience, take a deep breath and check out when and where the
talent will be each and every day of the festival.
The performances will be divided into four areas throughout the
festival site: Mount Currie Stage, Lillooet Stage, Bacardi B-Live area, and
Pemberton Barn Dance Tent.
The Mount Currie Stage will play host to the headliners and
“bigger” names, like Metric, Wolfmother, Serj Tankian, Interpol, Sam Roberts
Band, My Morning Jacket, The Flaming Lips, Vampire Weekend, N.E.R.D., and Death
Cab for Cutie, with performances starting at 3:30 p.m. and running until 11
p.m.
In the secondary performance area, the Lillooet Stage, some of
the more obscure — but undoubtedly talented — artists, like
Wintersleep, Matisyahu, Annie Stela, Grand Ole Party, and Monte Negro, take to
the stage from 1:20 p.m. until 7:25 p.m.
Each day, the Bacardi B-Live area will host a 12-hour straight
session of DJ sets, so anyone looking to discover talent on the turntables,
whether it be new or old, should head to that area between the hours of 1 p.m.
and 1 a.m. Some local talent, like DJs Czech, Vinyl Ritchie, Peacefrog and Mat
the Alien are set to step up to the decks, as well as some major international
names, like MSTRKRFT, Tommie Sunshine, Chromeo, and the Crystal Method DJ set,
to name just a few.
Finally, kick your heels up at the Pemberton Barn Dance Tent
with 12 hours of music each day by performers from throughout the Sea to Sky
corridor. As most locals know, there are a ton of talented musicians amongst us
here in Pemberton, Whistler and Squamish, so expect to see everything from
metal and punk to hip hop and rock, starting at noon and running until
midnight. Plus, there will be a special advance performance from 4 p.m. until
11 p.m. on Thursday evening for all of the enthusiastic campers that show up
early to set up shop.
While most people probably have a pretty good idea of the
artists they want to see during the three-day festival, there are probably a
few names that have left people scratching their heads.
So listen up, it’s time to expand your musical horizons:
Monte Negro
(Friday,
1:20 p.m. to 1:50 p.m., Lillooet Stage) – This L.A.-based quartet has a
distinct new wave, reggae feel to the music. Not only does their melodic rock
draw on big names in the biz, like the Cure and the Sex Pistols, this bilingual
band is strongly influenced by Latin American rockers. You say party, we say
fiesta? Sí.
Minus the Bear
(Friday,
3 p.m. to 3:30 p.m., Lillooet Stage) – An experimental indie rock from
just south of the border (Seattle, Washington), Minus the Bear takes a unique,
techy approach to their music, combining signature keyboards and some serious
riffs to produce an electronic explosion.
Shearwater
(Friday,
4:15 p.m. to 4:45 p.m., Lillooet Stage) – The haunting lyrics and diverse
instrumental choices of this Texas-based quartet add up to a distinct,
spellbinding overall sound; it’s really not surprising that they’re touring
with Coldplay. Expect big things from this group.
Wolfmother
(Friday,
4:45 p.m. to 5:30 p.m., Mount Currie Stage) – An Australian favourite,
this band is a sure-hit amongst those who are into heavier, stoner-style rock
with their vintage-inspired sound. Rolling Stone magazine listed them as one of
their top 10 bands to watch in 2006, and since then, they’ve gone on to win a
Grammy and performed at massive festivals.
Low vs. Diamond
(Saturday,
1:20 p.m. to 1:50 p.m., Lillooet Stage) – A veritable melting pot of
musicians, this all-American band focuses a lot of effort on ensuring their
lyrics are deep and evocative, while their music is simultaneously upbeat. Back
in May, their song, “Don’t Forget Sister,” appeared on Rolling Stone’s hot
list.
Mates of State
(Saturday, 3 p.m. to 3:30 p.m., Lillooet Stage) – It isn’t often that you
see a husband and wife duo making beautiful music together on stage, but Kori
Gardner and Jason Hammel combine their talents at the organ, drums and behind
the mic with complex, harmonious results. Their MySpace motto? “The function of
art is to provoke, love or hate.”
The Airborne Toxic Event
(Sunday, 2:10 p.m. to 2:40 p.m., Lillooet Stage) – While this group is
relatively new, they’re equally fresh, and have already garnered some
flattering comparisons to The Clash, The Cure, and The Smiths. Think along the
lines of Franz Ferdinand, Modest Mouse, and Arcade Fire: if you dig them, check
out what this group can do with their unique combo of viola, organ, guitars,
trumpets, and some serious lungs.
The Fiery Furnaces
– (Sunday, 3 p.m. to 3:30 p.m., Lillooet Stage – Often compared to
the White Stripes, this (real) brother and sister duo has done something
constructive with their childhood banter, transforming it into downright witty
wordplay. Add in some diverse instrumentation, and you have a unique
psychedelic pop performance that’s not to be missed.
Deadmau5
(Sunday, 7:15
p.m. to 8:30 p.m., Bacardi B-Live) – This Canadian act touches on a bit
of everything: techno, minimal, tech house, trance and electro. However you define
it, his music will definitely get you moving. Don’t be surprised by the
costume, complete with strobe light eyes — he wears it at every show.
To see a full, detailed lineup,
visit
www.pembertonfestival.com
.
(TO RUN AS SIDEBAR)
For more information …
Want to know how Pemberton Festival is impacting locals? See page 48.
To find out more about where to get a bite to eat during the festival, see Epicurious? on page 65.
For your essential guide to the festival, see page 66.
