“You must be crazy to go across the country for a music festival” many said back on the East Coast earlier in the week. The truth is, there’s nothing crazy about attending an event in one of the world’s most beautiful settings(see below), a music festival at that!
Being our second year covering the event, memories of incredible music, food and top notch organization including the best transportation set up ever were top of mind.
Getting up at 3;30am ADT, I made my way to the Halifax Airport, caffeine in hand to catch a very quick flight that eventually put me in Vancouver by 11am local time, and in Whistler and checked in by 4pm. It’s all part of the game really.
With bags under my eyes, and even more caffeine in my system, I had a decision to make, whether to wait until today(Friday) to take in PMF, or head over. Knowing what I had come all this way for, only one option was logical, GO! After all, two of the best live acts of today were performing, Sam Roberts Band, and The War on Drugs.(Whom I hadn’t seen live yet.).
The Arrival:
In typical PembyFest fashion, an air conditioned motor coach was waiting in Whistler, full of excited music fans who all wanted to make it in time for the 8pm shows. No traffic was present and the trip couldn’t have been quicker. When I got off the bus, I couldn’t be more thrilled at the sight in front of me. It looked as if organizers just left everything there, the stages were in the same place, as well as every booth. Other than the fact that some stages had taken on a different design, everything looked in place and I knew exactly where I had to go and where everything was, that’s what I call consistency.
First taste of music:
With minutes until Sam Roberts was going to take the stage, I decided to just jump right into the music, securing a comfy spot on the rail.
Sam hit the stage right on time, opening up with a recent track “Shape Shifters”, newer tracks would be a theme throughout the set which also included “”Chasing the Light” and “We’re all in this Together” among many others.
“We are here with many incredible acts from all around the world this weekend, let’s show them Canadian hospitality!” the Montreal based rock singer told the crowd, while also pointing out the beauty of his surroundings.(Something literally every act did in 2014). Sam also told of memories playing the first “Pemberton Festival” in 2008, although that event was a separate festival not part of the new Pemberton Music Festival.
Perhaps the highlight of the set included classics such as “Hard Road”, “Where Have All the Good People Gone”(noted as the best Sam Roberts sing along we have heard to date), “Brother Down” and “Bridge to Nowhere”. All of these tracks included the as usual incredible sound, although Sam Roberts gave the crowd much more opportunity to sing along for all of these songs, something that used to only happen once or twice per show.
After closing up “Brother Down” at the end of the set, Sam Roberts ran the length of the rail, giving all front row fans a high five to close what would be the best Sam Roberts set for us yet.
Being my first time seeing The War on Drugs, or quite frankly hearing a lot of their music, I had no clue what to expect, other than hearing that it would be a “highlight” of the weekend. While they are only the second act I had seen, I can say that it was a pretty incredible show, and will probably be remembered as a major highlight.
Going through tunes such as “Red Eyes”, Under the Pressure”, “Arms Like Boulders” and many others throughout the 75 minute set, the Philadelphia based group showed a level of energy and confidence that sometimes only those with decades of experience are able to accomplish. It seemed as if the music never stopped, but rather just continuing, even in between songs, something I would typically associate with a Bruce Springsteen live show, and this is a band I will go see again.
Being quite tired, I decided it was time to get some rest following the end of this set, in order to be completely ready for the frenzy that will be Friday and the rest of the weekend including everything from Alice Cooper to Kid Cudi.
The festival continues today through Sunday and single day tickets/ weekend shuttle passes remain available at the festival’s website.
Over 25,000 fans attended the festival on Thursday July 16th according to a Friday morning press release.
Music starts today (Friday) at 11:30am, so if you are looking for a good time with good friends and music, grab a last minute ticket and get out there!(BC readers obviously)
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With nearly 100 performances and six separate performance areas, Pemberton Music Festival will be five glorious days of music, comedy, and camping on 300 clean, open acres in one of the most idyllic settings on Earth. The festival kicks off on Wednesday, July 15 with a special free concert in Whistler’s Olympic Plaza, which is open to all. Performances for festival wristband holders only begin Thursday, July 16 at the Pemberton Music Festival site, located 25 minutes north of Whistler, near the foot of majestic Mt. Currie.
The full list of performers includes Kendrick Lamar, The Black Keys, J. Cole, Tiësto, Hozier, Kid Cudi, Missy Elliott, Weezer, Jane’s Addiction, Broken Social Scene, Alice Cooper, The String Cheese Incident (two nights), BASSNECTAR, Passion Pit, Billy Talent, Ludacris, Chromeo, Dada Life, Sam Roberts Band, The Decemberists, The War on Drugs, Edward Sharpe & the Magnetic Zeros, Portugal. The Man, PARTYNEXTDOOR, Chvrches, G-Eazy, Chet Faker, Beirut, RL Grime, BANKS, De La Soul, STS9, Duke Dumont, Matt and Kim, Earl Sweatshirt, Flux Pavilion, DAN MANGAN + BLACKSMITH, Father John Misty, Shakey Graves, Galactic featuring Macy Gray, Run the Jewels, ZHU, Paul Oakenfold, tUnE-yArDs, Courtney Barnett, Cut Copy (DJ set), Bleachers, Ryn Weaver, Logic, Tobias Jesso Jr, Real Estate, Preservation Hall Jazz Band, What So Not, Flatbush ZOMBiES, GIVERS, Moon Taxi, Ryan Hemsworth, July Talk, BADBADNOTGOOD, Charles Bradley & His Extraordinaires, Judah & the Lion, Gay Nineties, Beats Antique (live band), Kali Uchis, DJ Dodger Stadium, THE GLORIOUS SONS, Spooky Black (Corbin), Post Malone, The Suffers, Apollo, GIRAFFAGE, BASECAMP, ALLIE X, Bas, Sango, JackLNDN, PPL MVR, Boyfriend, Maggie Koerner, Hey Marseilles, JPNSGRLS, Letts, Pomo, Lovecoast, Dakota Pearl, Will Ross Band, Full Flex Express featuring Jack Ü (Skrillex + Diplo), ZEDS DEAD, A$AP Ferg, Tycho, Hundred Waters & Anna Lunoe B2B Mija and comedy from Tim & Eric, Nick Offerman, Reggie Watts, Tim Heidecker, T.J. Miller, Doug Benson, Eric Andre, Harland Williams, Tig Notaro, Ali Wong, Ben Gleib, Neil Hamburger, Gorburger, Chris Trew, Dino Archie, Ivan Decker, and Air Sex Championships.