Vancouver’s got one more music festival to add to its collection, and it’s getting many, me included, excited for the future of indie music in Vancouver.
The Unreal City music festival is taking place in just two months, from January 10th – 11th. Stationed in the Russian Hall on Campbell street for two evenings and a day, the festival brings “a mix of punk, indie, shoegaze, metal, post-rock, and post punk- an unfiltered lineup of artists keeping the spirit of the city’s rich DIY culture alive.”
The event features many of our city’s talented indie bands. These include: La Lune, Worrywart, Dead Soft, Cherry Pick, Weak Knees, Tall Mary, Water Margin, Mental Health, Aversions, and a ton more. A lot of them may be bands you haven’t heard of, and that’s exactly what Unreal City is about. The festival promises to give local bands a space to show their stuff, and demonstrate the indie music from Vancouver you should be listening to. The Unreal City website promises a celebration of the city’s rock culture, being “Built by artists, for artists.”
“A lot of the festival organisers are in local bands themselves,” Sam Coll, the event’s director, explains. “We really felt like there was a hole in the calendar this time of year, and where other Canadian cities are celebrating their indie bands in winter with festivals of their own, there wasn’t much like that here. We think we’re starting strong and we’re hoping to grow this into an annual fixture.”
“People are feeling the pinch financially.” Says Rose Morgan, the festival coordinator. “Now more than ever, it’s important to create fun, welcoming spaces for people to come together and support local artists.”
With the lack of indie representation in Vancouver’s music festivals, it’s incredible to see something fill that hole, and provide a great time for fans of the genre. And with sandwiches by Rebel Rebel BBQ, DJ’s, and community tables at the venue, there’s plenty to do besides jamming out.
If that all sounds right up your alley, then early bird tickets are on sale right now for 30$. But be warned, they’re only available up until December 3rd. Check out Unreal City’s website at unrealcity.rocks, or their instagram at @unrealcityfest, for updates. Go on and check out its first inaugural year, and get a taste of Vancouver’s indie scene!