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Here are 19 Canadian acts playing Rock the Shores this year

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After a one-year hiatus, Rock the Shores is making its return to Colwood in just two weeks!

The festival runs Friday, July 13, through Sunday, July 15, with a lineup featuring the same mix of rock, punk, and everything in-between that festival-goers have come to expect.

But while this year is featuring some heavy hitters from south of the border, including punk icons Social Distortion and legendary singer/songwriter Brian Wilson of the Beach Boys, it’s also bringing a slew of Canadian talent to the stage.

In the spirit of this weekend’s Canada Day celebrations, here’s a list of all the homegrown talent you can check out at Rock the Shores this year:

Bahamas

Toronto-based Afie Jurvanen, known by his stage name Bahamas, is currently on tour in support of his latest album Earthtones, released in January this year. Jurvanen says the album features songs about everything from having kids and having success to his “otherworldly wife” and “jerk dad.”

The Sheepdogs

This Juno Award-winning Saskatoon-based quintet were the first unsigned band to ever make the cover of Rolling Stone in 2011, and have made a name for themselves based on the foundation of their solid modern-retro rock sound. Paying homage to classic ’70s rock acts like Lynyrd Skynyrd and the Allman Brothers while still being wholly original, the band is touring in support of their latest album Changing Colours, released last February.

The Sheepdogs – Up in Canada (Live)

Just in time for Canada Day weekend – check out the live video for 'Up in Canada'!

Posted by the Sheepdogs on Friday, June 29, 2018

Corb Lund

The alt-country singer-songwriter, who grew up in a ranching and rodeo family in the foothills of Southern Alberta, has been hailed as one of the best contemporary country songwriters around. He and his band, the Hurtin’ Albertans, will be coming to Rock the Shores to add some country twang to the proceedings.

Jesse Roper

When it comes to local talent, you can’t get more local than this. Roper hails from right here in Victoria, and will be bringing his blues-rooted soul, rock, and country funk to Rock the Shores. His latest album, Access to Infinity, is equally varied, so you can expect the unexpected when he plays on the Saturday of the festival.

Dear Rouge

This Vancouver-based duo, comprised of Danielle and Drew McTaggart, specializes in sinewy, hook-driven indie rock that is gritty and glossy in equal measure. Their second album Phases has received critical acclaim from local music outlets, and their performance in two weeks is bound to take you on an emotional rollercoaster.

Bedouin Soundclash

This Toronto-based reggae/ska act have been stalwarts of the Canadian alternative rock scene since 2001. Though their latest full-length came out in 2010, the release of a new single last year provides some hope that big things are on the way. In the meantime, they’ll be playing the last day of the festival on July 15.

Felix Cartal

Taelor Deitcher, better known by his stage name, is a West Coast electronic producer hailing from Vancouver. His music fuses his songwriting and production roots with a love for club culture, and in 2010, earned himself a Juno nomination for a collaboration with Grammy Award-winning singer Polina.

SkiiTour

This aptly-named duo come from the slopes of Whistler. Its two members, Tim and Dave, have produced and performed together for six years, and describe themselves as “savage yetis feeding off of each other during their high energy live shows.”

Frazey Ford

Frazey Ford’s latest album, Indian Ocean, is about “pain and dealing with tough truths but also about trust, love contrition and being bold.” The Vancouver-based folk singer has been compared to Joni Mitchell and Gillian Welch, and her performance on Sunday promises to be mellow but funky.

Chersea Music

This Port Coquitlam-based artist has a new album right around the corner, and is setting her sights on a mind-bending approach to songwriting and storytelling. Chersea uses loop-stations to create ethereal walls of frequencies that you need to hear to believe.

(Rock the Shores)

The Elwins

This four-piece came together in 2006 near Newmarket, about an hour north of Toronto. A collaborative and creative spirit permeates their latest release, Beauty Community. But if that sounds too heady, don’t sweat it; the band still takes time to tweet about which member has pooped or not on tour.

The Velveteins

This Edmonton-based rock n’ roll band has brought their style of heavy guitar pop across Canada, America, and the UK, opening for acts like July Talk, Elephant Stone, Michael Rault, and Milo Greene. And the video for their 2017 single “Strange Side of the Street” brings to mind the lofi aesthetic of the intro to sketch comedy show Kids in the Hall.

Youngblood

The music of Youngblood is described as dreamy but insistent, a feather-soft pillow of lush sound anchored by electronic grooves. The Vancouver-based dream pop act started as a creative outlet for its vocalist Alexis Young, and has grown into something far greater.

Kytami

If a line exists between classical and electronic, between ancient and new age, synthetic and organic, Kytami has sliced them all using only a violin bow. She blends classical fiddle styles with the heavy bass elements of drum and bass, dubstep, and hip hop for something you’re not likely to hear anywhere else.

Fortune Killers

The Victoria-based alt-pop/rock outfit formerly known as Isobel Trigger finds their sound with exotic vocals, soaring lead lines, and heart-thumping grooves. Rolling Stone has called them one of Victoria’s best up-and-coming acts, so make sure you hit the festival on Friday to see what the fuss is about.

Fox Glove

Hailing from Victoria, this collective is known for their diverse voices and range in sound, and offers everything from sensuous melancholic ballads to spellbindingly strident anthems. They’ve become a favourite in the local music scene, and have recently headlined the Alix Goolden Hall for a sold-out show.

Dirty Mountain

Another local act, this rock band led by Elli Hart offers pulsing beats, gritty lyrics, and fuzzy guitars dipped in honey and reverb for the savvy festival attendee.

Lo Waight and the Rattlesnakes

This four-piece Victoria folk rock outfit were first brought together out of their love of funk and soul music. They’ve been quickly gaining momentum playing around town from venues such as Darcy’s Westshore, Upstairs, and the Duke Saloon for Rifflandia 2017.

(Rock the Shores)

Sugar Castle

This three-piece punk band from Victoria is bringing a DIY attitude to the Rock the Shores lineup with a sound that is gnarly, grungy, and loud.

Sugar Castle @ Duncan Showroom

Live @ Duncan Showroom, March 25th, 2018. With Featured Flavor and Sunset Lane.

Posted by SUGAR CASTLE on Sunday, April 15, 2018

Rock the Shores 2018

When: July 13—15

Where: West Shore Parks & Recreation lower fields, 1767 Old Island Highway, Colwood

TicketsSingle day tickets starting at $59.50

 

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Myles Sauer
Former staff editor and writer at Victoria Buzz.

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