Organizers are gearing up for what may just be the most successful Burnaby Blues + Roots Festival yet.
For the past 18 years, the festival has been drawing music fans to Deer Lake Park in August for a day of music from local, national and international entertainers – and this year is no exception.
“It’s going to be an amazing year this year,” said Jared Bowles, marketing and sponsorship coordinator.
With July not yet over, Bowles was already full of enthusiasm about the festival – and, in particular, the speed of ticket sales. Earlybird priced tickets had already sold out, and Bowles said ticket sales were on pace to beat previous years.
“We’re going to have a record crowd this year,” he said. “The energy in the place will be just tremendous.”
This year’s festival has been pared down, musically speaking, from previous outings. Previous years have had up to 12 acts on three stages; last year, that was cut down to nine artists on two stages. This year, it’s even more streamlined: six artists on one stage for seven straight hours of music.
Bowles said the change stemmed in part from feedback from past audiences, who found that the need to move from stage to stage cut down on their ability to see all the performers.
“Everybody’s going to get to see everybody,” Bowles said.
Moreover, Bowles noted, the festival decided that in order to keep attracting the crowds, it was time to really ramp up the headliner or top two acts, and go for “quality versus quantity.”
He’s thrilled they’ve done that this year in the form of Nathaniel Rateliff and the Night Sweats – who, he notes, have a vibe that will appeal to all ages – with their grounding in blues with a contemporary feel.
“It’s got a ton of energy, and it puts a bit of a modern twist on it too,” Bowles said, noting there are plenty of fans in the 18- and 19-year-old range, while it will also appeal to seniors.
Also on the bill are The Rural Alberta Advantage, Nikki Lane, The Suffers, Begonia and Amythyst Kia.
Once again, food and drink will be a bonus for festival attendees – there will be food trucks on site (the complete list has yet to be decided, but watch www.burnabybluesfestival.com for details as the day draws closer) and the whole site is once again licensed, meaning adults can get their beer or wine and then move around the site rather than staying in a beer garden area.
The only place alcohol won’t be allowed is in the kids’ zone, which will once again be open to provide face painting, a play structure and the popular cardboard guitar making.
Another new feature for festivalgoers will be the chance to take in three workshops that offer insight into the history of the Chicago, Memphis and New Orleans blues. The workshops will be in the Shadbolt Centre and offered free (with registration) to ticket holders.
Festivalgoers will also be able to access the site by shuttle bus from BCIT, since there’s no on-site parking for the general public.
Bowles recommends that anyone attending the festival check out its website at www.burnabybluesfestival.com to go prepared to get the most out of their day.
As for himself? He’s most looking forward to seeing which of the acts will provide that one amazing, standout performance that gets everyone talking – which, he said, always seems to happen, and often with one of the less-known artists on the bill.
“That’s one of the things I’m most excited about, is who that artist is going to be,” he said.
