This year marks Rifflandia’s 10th trip around the sun.
As many die-hard Riff festival go-ers will agree, year after year it has transformed from its humble beginnings into an event that celebrates not only music, but also the ever-growing cultural community of Victoria.
Royal Athletic Park was buzzing with excitement Friday as throngs of floral clad groups flooded through the gates.
A diverse selection of local vendors and food trucks are thoughtfully scattered throughout the park. In a matter of minutes you could go from eating a gooey custom grilled cheese, to having your hair styled, to a quick vintage-shopping spree to ensure that you’re festival chic—all the while being serenaded by a perfectly eclectic lineup of musicians.
Victoria’s own The Choir kicked off the day with original arrangements from beloved folk and indie artists, some of whom were past Riff performers!
Another Victoria treasure, the seventeen-part The Leg-Up Program took the energy in the park to the next level, getting people dancing to a jazzy mixture of funk, soul, hip-hop and more.
Charlotte Day Wilson awed with her velvety voice and haunting melodies, captivating the crowd for her ethereal set in the Riff Top Tent.
One festival go-er descried this year’s lineup as “full of hidden surprises,” with many of the acts perhaps not as recognizable as years past, but nonetheless worth the attention.
The Kingston, Ontario rock band, The Glorious Sons, proved this to be true. At they took the stage under the setting sun, the crowd quickly doubled. They packed a powerful punch, delivering pounding rhythms, animated stage presence and some good classic Rock and Roll. They were a tour de force, and we will surely be hearing much more from them!
Hard to top such a perfect opening to the Rifflandia weekend! Here are some photos from Friday captured by Molly Jane Photography and Colin Smith Photography.
July Talk
Five Alarm Funk
Glorious Sons
Said the Whale
