At the second edition of the Phillips Backyard Music Festival this summer, ‘Reverb,’ there were more shade, chill zones, food trucks, and games than ever before—not to mention the biggest stage ever to grace the backyard, along with some of the biggest acts in music right now.
The day kicked off with DJ Bill Stuart, one of the best and most knowledgeable disc jockeys in town, spinning vinyl to get everyone in the mood for a perfect evening of music.
Then, hometown heroes, Trophy Dad took the stage and showed everyone why they are some of this town’s favourites. They had the best attendance of any opening band at Phillips Backyard and played a cool half hour of good-time rock ‘n’ roll. The audience even got to hear a brand new, unreleased tune called “Old Fashioned Way” as their closer.
Next up was Surf Hat, all the way out of Squamish. This surf/jazz fusion band has been blowing up as of late and last time they played in town, they sold out the Victoria Events Centre.
They had harmonica, funny faces galore and their bassist even graced audience members with an authentic surf hat atop his head, so that everyone would know they were the real deal.
Bankes Brothers were on the Phillips Backyard stage after Surf Hat. They may look young, but they are the real deal and had everyone in the palms of their hands with their alt-indie crooning.
These brothers and their band are quickly becoming juggernauts of the Victoria music scene and have a decent shot at becoming nationally renowned if they keep up what they did last night.
Current Swell, a band who has become synonymous with Victoria and has played some of the biggest stages in the country, gave a loving performance to their adoring fans. They played all the classics and some new stuff to give the audience a little taste of everything.
To really round out their sound, they had a bass saxophone and a trumpet player along with them and even brought a special guest up—Ashleigh Ball of Hey Ocean! Joined them on the flute.
Following Current Swell and before the night’s headlining act, Pol Plastino, Jenny West, Jason Lamb, Kirsten James, Webmeister Bud, and Emily Czerwinski from The Zone @ 91-3 came up on stage for a special dedication.
They all came up to announce two things: one being that Phillips Brewing is launching a new, special beer, ‘It’s All About Love’, in honour of the late Dylan Willows and the enormous legacy he left behind, and two being that the night’s headliner was in fact Willows favourite band.
All proceeds from the beer announced last night will be donated to Ocumel Canada. They work to increase awareness, advance treatment options, and build a supportive community for those diagnosed with primary and/or metastatic ocular melanoma.
The city’s favourite DJs then recreated an iconic photo of Willows being onstage at the backyard and had everyone raise the peace sign in honour of him.
After the special dedication, Black Pumas put on one of the best performances the Phillips Backyard has ever seen.
The voice of frontman and lead singer, Eric Burton is undoubtedly one of the best in soul and R&B for this generation and quite possibly ever. When combined with the production, composition and guitar talents of the group’s other half, Adrian Quesada, the Black Pumas are unstoppable.
The show really got intimate when Burton jumped off the stage and into the crowd to give the few audience members who were nearby a really special moment. Following this, he returned towards the stage and sat on the fence near the front to finish singing the song.
If you missed out on Friday night at Reverb, fret not. There are still two nights left! Saturday will see rap icon Earl Sweatshirt take the stage along with some incredible openers, then Sunday will see Jungle close out Reverb and get people’s bootys’ shaking!
Grab your tickets online here!
