As a young fan, and now as a professional musician, music festivals have always had a special place in Tragically Hip bassist Gord Sinclairs heart.
I remember I was about 17, attending the first Police Picnic out in a farmers field in Oakville, he says from his home on Kingston, Ontario. There were The Specials, Iggy Pop and a very young Killing Joke. It was their first North American appearance and I remember we were up all night long, doing what young guys do I was with Robbie (Baker), the guitarist on our band and the music fires up, and these four guys clad in black leather walk out. I swear the singer had a green face it was awesome.
Sinclair and the Tragically Hip are headlining this years Live at Squamish music festival from August 24 to 26. Along with The Hip, the eclectic festival will also include City and Colour, Kathleen Edwards, The Sheepdogs and Chromeo.
We wanted to showcase Canadian music a bit this year, says Live at Squamish creative director Allan Regan.
The Tragically Hip are one of the biggest Canadian bands out there and with City and Colour, you have Dallas Green from Alexisonfire whos doing very well now. City and Colour is up and coming and the Tragically Hip are already there.
We wanted to elevate the festival this year, he adds. What sets Live at Squamish apart from other festivals is that the lineup isnt stereotypical. You learn about new artists, from a lot of genres, when you attend.
Regan says the natural aesthetics, the electricity of the mountains and grass of the West Coast offer an experience to attendees and artists that is unique to the rest of the music festival world.
I love coming out to the West Coast, Sinclair says. Whats not to love? Ive spent a lot of time out there over the years playing professionally and personally, visiting many friends out there. Its so beautiful and makes you feel good.
A month after they play Live at Squamish, the Ontario band will release its 12th album, Now For Plan A. Sinclair says the albums focus is to capture the live performance-prowess that has made The Hip so enduring over its 29-year history.
Weve done well selling records over the years, but it was never our bread and butter, the 48-year-old says. Before we ever started recording, we were touring, playing the clubs for a couple of years its what we do. Theres no software package to recreate the experience of seeing a really good band play live.
Additionally, Sinclair says that while writing and recording the new album, the band never strayed into unfamiliar sonic territory, testing new waters or attempting to reinvent themselves.
Its not like we made a bluegrass record or trance dance record or a collection of ringtones, he says with a laugh. Its just a really good Hip record and Im really proud of it.
For more information on the festival, including shuttle service and camping opportunities, visit LiveAtSquamish.com.
From the Live at Squamish blog...
More acts have been added to the already jam-packed line-up.
Brett Dennen and LP bring some much needed chilled vibes to the festival, Mat the Alien, Mark Farina and Hedspin bring a healthy dose of EDM and theres a whole new venue at the festival called The Wood Shed.
Our newest venue in the festival will house the Silent Disco during the day and be filled with the house beats of Hebegebe and Kevin Shiu on Saturday and the mash-up magic of Vinyl Richie aka Wicked Lester and Mat the Alien on Sunday. Think of it as a Party-in-a-Box.
Legendary DJ Mark Farina will be providing the party alternative to City & Colour on the Garibaldi Stage on Sunday night while The Hairfarmers and Motown Tribute to Nickelback will inject some mid afternoon energy to get you over those hangovers.
So make that 40 DJs, bands and singers across two and a half days of festival fun.
