Rifflandia is back, and yes, it is slightly different this year.
After running for just one weekend each year, organizers of the event switched things up a little and spread one of Victoria’s most loved events over two weekends.
This being Rifflandia’s 15th year of existence, the crew behind the ins-and-outs of putting on the festival decided it was time for evolution.
Yesterday, at approximately 11:30 p.m., festivalgoers and Victoria residents were captivated as they looked up to see 180 drones illuminate the sky above the Electric Avenue Main Stage.
The drones could be seen dancing around taking the form of words and shapes, including the iconic Rifflandia cherries—and there will be more but keep reading on!
Here are 5 things to know about this year’s festival:
Massive line up both weekends—app to track
Iggy Pop, Diplo, Paris Hilton, Chris Lake, Run The Jewels, Herbie Hancock, Salt-N-Pepa, Stephen Marley, Marc Rebillet and that’s just the tip of the iceberg of the over 80 musical and comedy acts coming to Victoria’s biggest music festival, Rifflandia.
The events will take place at different venues each weekend with the Phillips backyard playing host September 7th to 9th, and Royal Athletic Park hosting Friday, September 15th to 17th.
Each location will have multiple stages so it is crucial you download the WOOV app to help you keep track!
Marriages and Comedy
One newly introduced element to the festival last year was Lovelandia — a space which is available to any and all love birds who want to tie the knot and get married during the festival.
Great news for those who weren’t ready to tie the knot quite just yet, Rifflandia will once again offer wedding ceremonies.
While it will be back for one day only next week on Sunday, September 17th—make sure to sign up ahead of time!
Now if marriage isn’t your thing, perhaps you could treat your boo to a day of comedy instead with the return of ‘Lafflandia’.
‘Lafflandia’ is booked by local comedian and comedy writer Dan Duvall and presented by Hecklers.
Duvall has been doing comedy for over nine years and has performed on Just For Laughs Vancouver, he had a documentary made about him called Funny Tweets, and has consistently booked world renowned comedians to perform alongside talented locals at Hecklers Pub.
Some of the big names that are being flown in for Lafflandia are: Brandon Ash-Mohammed, one of Just For Laughs New Faces of Comedy and a writer for This Hour Has 22 Minutes and Canada’s Drag Race; Ryan Williams, whose latest comedy album debuted at number one; Courtney Gilmour, who was a finalist on Canada’s Got Talent, and that’s just the tip of the iceberg.
180 drones illuminate the sky
Rifflandia Festival’s first night of the extended 6-day event was a dazzling success.
At around 11:30 p.m., attendees and Victoria residents witnessed an astonishing spectacle as 180 drones lit up the sky above the Electric Avenue Main Stage.
These drones gracefully transformed into various words and shapes, including the beloved Rifflandia cherries. This captivating display was a collaborative effort with Pixel Sky Animations, known for their innovative drone light shows that captivate audiences with immersive storytelling and imaginative visuals.
With cutting-edge technology and meticulous choreography, Pixel Sky Animations will present three nightly drone shows at Rifflandia’s Electric Avenue.
You wont want to miss
While night one may be complete, artists performing at Electric Avenue over the next two days include: Paris Hilton, A-Trak, Blossom, Run The Jewels, Chromeo, Blu DeTiger, Fionn, Young Bombs, and many more!
There’s a Splifflandia for that
A brand new addition making its debut this year is the Splifflandia initiative.
Those who enjoy smoking cannabis while watching their favourite bands play will be able to have products delivered to them while inside the festival.
There will be an ordering system onsite with a predetermined delivery point for attendees who are over 19-years-old and would like to partake.
These orders can be made in advance and festival-goers need only show up at the Splifflandia zone and pick up their product just as if they were getting a cup of coffee.
Next weekend, September 15th to 17th, festival-goers can enjoy the sounds of Herbie Hancock, Iggy Pop, Mavis Staples, Diplo, Salt-N-Pepa, Stephen Marley, Marc Rebillet, KALEO, CKay and more, at The Park, an all-ages venue that provides a traditional grassy field festival experience.
Find a variety of ticket options including: two Weekend Super Passes, 3-Day Park Passes, 3-Night Electric Avenue passes, single day tickets, VIP and Kids’ tickets online.
