Tall Tree Music Festival 2016 - Recap
Hey all! This is my Tall Tree Music Festival 2016 photo gallery and recap!
First up, this whole trip wouldn't have even be possible without the support of two companies. HUGE thank you to Ford Canada for the awesome 2016 Ford Focus Titanium that I used to do the long winding drive to and from Port Renfrew. I packed the car with both photo gear and camping supplies and there was still tons of room to spare - more info HERE. Next up, big, big, thanks to BC Ferries for the ride to and from the island! The long weekend is a busy one but it was smooth sailing (literally, check the photos above) each way - click here for info on their vacation packages and more.
Okay, down to business! This year Tall Tree was bumped to the Canada Day long weekend, which was great for me to be able to decompress from NXNE a bit! Three days of shows by some of BC and Canada's best bands and dj's and some other acts from America to boot.
Day One:
After the long trek over, and setting up all my camp, I managed to catch DiRTY RADIO on the main stage. The sun was out, and people were ready to dance and start the weekend off! The main attraction of the evening was Calgary's The Dudes, who definitely brought the party and were the great and obvious choice for the Thursday night! I also caught a bit of Nahko & Medicine For The People's set, but just enough to photograph them and then climb into my tent from exhaustion/a long day. I knew I'd need energy for the next two jam packed days.
Day Two:
aka HAPPY CANADA DAY! There was much Canadian pride being shown off, yet it still stuck to festival attire (see Canada onesies photo above). And while the day was grey and rainy, the idea that we were on a mountain on Vancouver Island, about to watch a ton of Canadian acts perform, warmed your heart.
I caught the end of Victoria's Quoia while I arrived to photograph the Zonelander Fashion Show (click here for photos, including some of mine). Mindil Beach was my first real show of the day and besides putting on a great performance, bass player Matt Posnikoff got engaged mid-set, on stage! - check out the photo in the gallery (Congrats!).
The energy remained, and then rose, as the crowd grew in size for Shad's set. I seriously enjoyed myself (rapping along as I photographed), and after the show, and for the rest of the weekend, I kept hearing and being told how good the performance was...I agree. He pulled from all over his catalogue (and now I'm only sad that I didn't hear an Your Boy Tony Braxton too).
Finally Current Swell hit the stage, with the hometown crowd loving every minute of it. I said it before, and I'll say it again (and probably every time I see Current Swell play), I LOVE seeing Scott play slide guitar..."Cursed" gets me moving every time.
Once again I wussed off and crashed early, as the last and final day would be the busiest one!
Day Three:
The final day of the festival started early and featured two bands from Victoria, two from Vancouver, one from Ontario, and a pineapple party (seriously, check the photos in this Tall Tree album).
Victoria's LABS were up first on the big stage, with many familiar faces include lead vocalist Lindsay Bryan (whom I believe looks like a rock and roll Disney princess in that photo in the gallery).
Bocce Avocado kicked the party into high gear with their boundless energy and eclectic blend of funk, hip-hop, and world music. Also, their cover song mashup was incredible, esp when they got to one of my favourite 90's hip-hop songs, "Rump Shaker" by Wrecks-N-Effect.
The dancing continued for Vancouver's Bear Mountain, who performed songs from both their first album, and upcoming album (Badu, out September 9th). To say I'm excited for the new record is an understatement, and it was awesome to hear the new stuff live!
Next up, from Manotick, by way of Toronto, Hollerado, who hit the stage and delivered hit after hit after hit. I'm surprised I had any voice left from singing along (it usually goes after shouting "Juliette" at the top of my lungs). There was confetti almost every other song, crowd surfing by both band (see gallery), and audience, and special guests.
Good thing Tall Tree found one of the only bands that could possibly follow an act like that, to close out the festival: Mother Mother. I had just seen them in a very different setting (NXNE in Toronto) and it was great to watch them perform to a crowd that had just spent 3 days camping on a mountain - such an electric vibe.
And that was it! Except for the packing up of camp, driving home, and the sunshine ferry ride. It was funny being able to spot people on the boat that had been at the festival. Totally wiped, but joyful (and many basking in the sun on the deck).
Hope to see you again next year Tall Tree! You're always a treat.