I suppose that title is misleading as this post actually focuses on Sunday but it follows suit of my Friday and Saturday plans. And Hillside IS tomorrow, which is worth highlighting.
Perhaps (perhaps) my most anticipated performer of the entire weekend plays Sunday - that being Final Fantasy who has captivated me each time I've seen him. Perhaps (perhaps) one of my top-3 all-time performers period. For those unfamiliar with Final Fantasy's live show - it is a one-man whirlwind of violin looping, plucking, tapping and bowing and it's incredible. For a show review you can read more though it still doesn't capture it so I encourage checking this out for yourself (and skipping the bizarre "Moonwalking" tribute to MJ).
Guelph represents in the form of Dancehall Free For All's triumphant return (3rd paragraph) to the festival that started it all(okay, maybe it didn't start it all, but definitely gave them a huge boost). Look here for a glimpse of their show (mind you this was before the recently released and highly listenable second album).
Another (ex)Guelphite is.. Gentleman Reg who gets a lot of love in these parts. Solid.
Clues from the Pop Montreal show will hopefully live up to their excellent debut album.
Also looking forward to catching The Rural Alberta Advantage and Patrick Watson for the first time.
I'll see if there's time for Hillside faves - Great Lake Swimmers who are good, if somewhat plain live. Maybe I've just seen them too many times without trying (plus opening for Feist in Kitchener that I apparently didn't review).
Also I'll likely check into Winter Gloves too and see if they can get the island stage jumping.
I'm debating getting up in time to catch what looks to be a pretty funky workshop Sunday morning - Delhi 2 Dublin, Eccodek and Fred - see how late the drumming circle goes in volunteer camping Saturday night I suppose. Thanks to Josh's comments I may be up anyway for the Gospel Hour which apparently shouldn't be missed.
See you all there! Over and out until the reviews start flowing in here next week.
Thursday, July 23, 2009
Countdown to Tomorrow
Head for the Hills(ide) Tomorrow!
It all begins tomorrow evening.. I'll be posting some things to watch out for on Sunday here shortly. And of course next week I'll do my best to get my reviews out in a timely manner. After gorging on music for an entire weekend I'll have plenty of blog-fodder.
Don't forget your rainjacket, but also your sunscreen!
Monday, July 20, 2009
Countdown: In 5..
Saturday will be one heckuva full day of music at the Hillside Festival in Guelph, Ontario.
Before the sun has even reached its peak things will have heated up with a collaboration born on some distant planet with ultra-intelligent lifeforms - that being Bruce Peninsula and The Rural Alberta Advantage. That will also allow me to catch at least part of Julie Doiron a couple hours later as her set is in conflict with Bruce Peninsula's.
Playing to a hometown crowd, Green Go are gonna go off I predict.
As much as I'd like to catch the Final Fantasy/Buffy Sainte-Marie/Notre dame de Grass mash-up... Timber Timbre will be given precedence.
Dala will entertain my girlfriend on the mainstage while I watch Hey Rosetta because I love 'em. (Too bad I'll have to miss C.R. Avery who intrigues me with his lyrics and beatboxing).
Library Voices and Silver Starling is a toss-up. Library Voices I've seen and are great, whereas Silver Starling are up-and-coming and look to have a bright future based on their strong past.
Next is another battle royale for my attention - Tokyo Police Club vs Woodhands. Leaning towards the latter..
Wow, these are going to be tough decisions - that, or a lot of running back and forth between stages - as I decide on who will shut down this epic day of performances for me. Either the rocking Hamiltonians - The Arkells, or the Toronto alt-country trio of The Sunparlour Players. Having just seen SPP recently, and loving the Arkells awhile back, the Hammer may win my attention.
Suffice to say, Saturday will be a whirlwind with nary a moment to rest. Hopefully sleeping in a tent won't hinder my ability to keep the energy levels up. Feng's Dumplings, Lemongrass and Wellington must be my fuel.
Friday, July 17, 2009
Countdown: In 7..
That's right.. in one week from now we'll be heading down to the island at Guelph Lake to set up some tents and take in a weekend full of more music than there were musicians at last week's BSS show. The excitement is spreading like this unknown arctic blob.
A look towards Friday...
Hopefully Coeur de Pirate will have her health/energy back to perform Friday night (after being forced to skip her Dawson City performance citing illness/exhaustion depending on the source). With her upcoming schedule absolutely packed (in Quebec) for the rest of the year, let's hope she can recoup! If not, I've got a fallback in Australia's The Grates. Speaking of energy, my bet is that USS will bring more to shut down the Island Stage Friday night than Loreena McKennitt over on the Main (no offense).
Tuesday, July 14, 2009
Weekend of Wonders
I just (just, literally 10 or so minutes ago) posted a makeshift schedule for Hillside et voila! the official sched is released. No immediate surprises that I can see - no new headliners.
UPDATE!-- There is a surprise at the Women's Tent Workshop "Back-door Fun: Anal Play for Women" which follows "Getting the Sex You Want"--! Also there are a number of blanks in the schedule currently and there haven't been in the past. *Crosses Fingers* for late additions.
Check the schedule for yourself at the top-right corner of the Hillside homepage.
Friday and Sunday tix still available from the festival - while Saturday and weekend passes might be accessible from the "Stuff Swap" section of the official website.
See ya there!In addition to the Hillside official word on schedule, here's the scoop from the internet. Be sure to check set times when the actual schedule is released - probably in the coming week or so.
Thursday, July 09, 2009
More Hillside Pop!
Pop Montreal's Pop Off - the traveling contingent from the Montreal festival - looks to have added another act to the already impressive lineup of Clues, and Witchies.
Gambletron which is a lone female, Lisa Gamble, apparently making a lot of noise and should be a part of the Hillside Festival as well.
Technically this is Pop Off Tour II, though Pop Montreal had a showcase at the Hillside Festival in '07, '08 and will again this year.
I'll mention that The Dears are playing a free show at the Harbourfront Center in Toronto on Sunday July 26 (Hillside Sunday). Naturally speculation would say that since they're around they could be that rumoured other headliner (after all, Gentleman Reg is playing Harbourfront AND Hillside that weekend, though Amy Millan isn't - yet). However gut instinct tells me they won't - either way I'm not too concerned as I find them to be a bit of a yawn.
Tuesday, June 30, 2009
Holy F*ck Confirmed...Out
Sadly, buzz band of a few years back will NOT be making their return to Hillside. According to a Facebook post from the band, they are super excited to play something called Fuji Rock in Niigata, Japan - and it just so happens to be Hillside weekend.
Not that it will make up for the uncontrollable 45 minute dance party, but the band did offer this brief apology. "Sorry Hillsiders, we'll be in Japan that weekend."
*tear*
Friday, Hillside, Sunday
Reggae lovers rejoice! Kae-Sun, the very first performer I leaked this year I believe, has finally been added to the official Hillside website line-up for the first time.
Also, a large scoop of musicians have been settled into dates on either end of the Hillside Festival weekend. According to official Hillside correspondence:
Friday:
Coeur de Pirate
Rock Plaza Central
USS
Xavier Rudd
Loreena McKennitt
Divine Brown
Plus Friday will include a special celebratory opening featuring Buffy Sainte-Marie and local Aboriginal Elders (though Buffy is still listed as performing Saturday.
Sunday:
Final Fantasy
Patrick Watson
Great Lake Swimmers
Gentleman Reg
Zaki Ibrahim
David Francey
Gurpeet (The Tabla Guy)
Jah Youssouf & Woodchoppers Association
Issa
Los Misioneros del Norte
The Skydiggers
They also state that though the volunteer program is now full, tickets are still available for Friday and Sunday ($50, $60 respectively).
Monday, June 29, 2009
Hillside Adds
Sam Bradley a soul/folk-rock singer-songwriter, who operates alone with a guitar and hails from Britain, though currently residing in the Columbia of Britain (Vancouver). Looks like he'll be playing Sunday.
The youth bands have been announced too.. and in years past there have definitely been some surprise hits come from this section so I perhaps it won't be much of a surprise if Borderline Clover, The Collectibles or the already-announced Red Rosary impress some people.
Borderline Clover play self-described "freak-folk" out of Hanover, though they are somewhat chill from what I've heard.
The Collectibles are female-fronted, acoustic group from Guelph.
Schedule Updates since this schedule:
Friday: USS
Sunday: Zaki Ibrahim, Skydiggers, Sam Bradley
Wednesday, June 24, 2009
Hillside: No Women Allowed
Seems that mostly disappointing news is coming outta the Hillside lineup lately.. the western Canadian band, Women, who were formerly listed here as well as on the Hillside site as performers, will no longer be playing the festival. Disappointing, though really when there are 50+ other acts I'm sure someone will fill the void. Perhaps Sam is still working on another last minute 'headliner'? (Personally I see Metric as a good fit - former hillside performers with a new album who are doing the festival circuit. However nothing has surfaced to support this thought)
I'm off to the Royal City tribute! Watch this space for a review of that.
Wednesday, June 17, 2009
One In, One Out
All the way from Brisbane, Australia - ladies and gentlemen it's
The Grates! Bringing their perky, pop music all the way from down-under to up-over. Hillside will show them much hospitality I'm sure.
Sadly The Waking Eyes who played a fine show with the Arkells in Guelph a few months back are no longer on the Hillside performer list. (And not to harp on it.. but Holy Fuck are still absent too.. and looks like places where it was listed online have been removed - Not a good sign.)
Wednesday, June 10, 2009
H-side Dates and More (Updated)
Although many bands come for the entire weekend, and play a show and a workshop, some musicians have been confirmed only for certain days - so if you're planning things out or deciding which tickets to buy (Fri and Sun remain) here's a list.
Friday:Rock Plaza Central, Loreena McKennitt, Xavier Rudd, Update: Divine Brown, Los Misioneros del Norte.
Likely Ben Grossman
Saturday: Hey Rosetta, Buffy Sainte Marie, Grupo Fantasma.
Likely Timber Timbre, Arkells, USS, Green Go
Sunday: Final Fantasy, Great Lake Swimmers, David Francey, Jah Youssouf & Woodchoppers Association, Kevin Hearn & Thin Buckle.
Likely: Gentleman Reg, Ohbijou, Lindi Ortega
More Musicians!
Melissa McClelland Toronto songstress, confirmed via the official site.
Other probable adds:
Ambre McLean Band from Guelph.
Notre Dame de Grass bluegrass from La Belle Province.
Ben Grossman experimental, ambient from Toronto.
Monday, June 08, 2009
The Tallboys
As a follow-up to the news that the Guelph Jazz Fest will be presenting a band at the Hillside Festival this year, here is some background information about The Tallboys.
This three-piece includes phenomenal percussionist Jesse Stewart, as well as cello and guitar virtuosos, Kevin Breit and Matt Brubeck respectively. These accomplished musicians have come together for amazing improvised sets at venues such as this past fall's Guelph Jazz Festival. I've been told the Tallboys are a sight to see (and not just because they all tower well over six-feet in height either).
Friday, June 05, 2009
I ain't Joshin'
*Groan* That title is awful, so I won't torture you with any more of my pathetic attempts at witticism (more aptly described as "failed puns" or bobbled word play). I'll simply tell you that local Guelph musician
Josh Gabriel will be playing his harmonica, and acoustic guitar to create some folk rock at Hillside that I'm sure the folks will enjoy. (Couldn't resist)
Thursday, June 04, 2009
Guest Fest
For the previous few years, Hillside has invited Pop Montreal (a 5-day grassroots music/film/art fest spread through Montreal in the fall, in addition to many other things) to showcase a few of the bands they are proud of. This has been a highly successful collaboration that have brought such acts as Miracle Fortress, Think About Life and Plants and Animals, in the past (amongst others). This year they've maintained the quality level by including:
Clues who I know are worth checking out (ex-Unicorns, ex-Arcade Fire members), as well as
Witchies who are bound to be good while playing 'melodramatic pop music'.
It seems in a similar fashion they've teamed up with the popular Guelph Jazz Festival as well and they will be presenting:
The Tallboys
Wednesday, June 03, 2009
Add the Sun(parlour Players)
Still no sign of Holy Eff, despite some activity on the performer page such as the addition of Guelph local folk singer-songwriter Josh Gabriel.
--Update--
The Sunparlour Players will play music from their great new album Wave North at Hillside.
Also, after pointing out yesterday that the Library Voices weren't on the official list, they have now been added.
Tuesday, June 02, 2009
Holy F! Where'd they go!?
Probably reading too much into the Hillside Performer list right now but...
Holy F*ck have been removed from the list which could break a lot of hearts if they're no longer playing.
Another removal: Pilot Speed (formerly Pilate) is gone from the list.
However to at least partially make up for those, Canadian R&B singer Divine Brown is now added.
Also local Guelphites and remixers-extraordinaire Green Go are on it now too.
--Update-- Silver Starling (formerly Mothers Fathers) from Montreal, with ties to Stars, Arcade Fire and others, have also been added to the list.
Amber McLean who is playing Manhattan's soon is set to play Hillside - I'm assuming she's jazzy.
Of course the performer list comes with the caveat that it is the *performers confirmed to date* and it is naturally *subject to change* and all that. I'm praying that when correcting "Holy Rosary" to "Red Rosary" they accidentally deleted "Holy F*ck" which was directly below it.
Library Voices who state they are playing the fest have never been on the performer list. Also early leak, Kae Sun, hasn't seen the official list yet either. So there's definitely room for change.
Thursday, May 28, 2009
Another Hillside Headliner?
Hillside Artistic director in an interview on May 27 stated that he is still in discussion with a handful of bands with the possibility of adding them to the Hillside 2009 lineup. One of which he deemed a veritable headliner (and confirmed it is NOT the Tragically Hip haha).
I'll see what I can do about getting the scoop on this in the days to come.
Wednesday, May 27, 2009
An Earful of Hillside
An excellent introduction to the artists scheduled to play at Hillside can be found in this CBC Radio 3 playlist (Free; No log-in required, skippable, streaming).
Since the original posting of this playlist I have hand-picked a track from each of the additional artists to have been added to the Hillside Festival bill (and that's a whole bunch!).
Of the ~57 acts announced so far a remarkable 41 of them are represented on this playlist. Enjoy! And remember that this is just a jumping off point, as clicking through the current-playing song will bring you to the artist's New Music Canada page where you can sample more of their music.
PS: Feel free to rate it! (Located just under the player controls)
Bringing Amy Back?
Amy Millan has played the Hillside Festival in her Stars incarnation (as recently as Hillside Inside Feb 2009), as well as solo. Set to release more solo work in the near future perhaps she'll make an appearance? Can't confirm-->She's already scheduled for the Wolfe Island Festival. Maybe she'll hitch a ride to Hillside with Gentleman Reg (who is confirmed for Hillside) after they play the Harbourfront Center on the Saturday of Hillside? One can hope.
