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Photos taken at Center of Gravity 2014 in Kelowna, B.C. by Alt Rock Radio Now/Valaura Vedan
It may seem a little strange to be talking about summer music festivals in January, especially given that lineups are yet to be announced, however, if you’re hoping to attend some festivals this summer, now is the time to start thinking about it and putting your plans into action - the countdown is on (or maybe I am just longing for some of that glorious Kelowna summer sunshine?)
So why should you start thinking about this now when there’s still (a little) snow on the ground? Well, you better start saving, that’s for sure! Between tickets, travel, merchandise, a visit or three to the beer garden and food, attending a music festival doesn’t come cheap. Outside of that, it’s time to start thinking about which festivals you might be interested in attending, so you can snap up tickets when they go on sale/lineups are announced (tickets are already on sale for Shambhala 2015). You don’t want to miss out because you procrastinated. Don’t worry, I’ve got your back!
I have put together a sample list of 5 great BC music festivals that are just a short drive from Kelowna. How am I defining short? Well, I have lived in Canada for a little over 10 years now, so I am including anything within a 5- hour drive of Kelowna (Pemberton just misses out!) This list is in no particular order and contains a range of musical genres.
Location: Salmo, B.C. (approx. distance from Kelowna: 4 hours 50 mins or 342 kms)
Genres: Electronic, Dance, Drum and Bass, Dubstep
2014’s Headliners: Andy C, Bassnectar, Beardyman
Festival Dates: Aug 7, 8, 9 and 10, 2015
Matt and Kim perform at Center of Gravity 2014 in Kelowna, B.C. (photo by Alt Rock Radio Now/Valaura Vedan)
Salmon Arm Roots and Blues Festival 2015
Location: Salmon Arm, B.C. (approx. distance from Kelowna: 1 hour 45 mins or 114 kms)
Genres: Blues, Folk, Alt-Roots, World
2014’s Headliners: Mavis Staples, The Sheepdogs, Josh Ritter, Ian Tyson
Festival Dates: Aug 14, 15 and 16, 2015
Boonstock Music & Arts Festival 2015
Location: Penticton, B.C. (approx. distance from Kelowna: 1 hour or 63 kms)
Genres: Alternative Rock, Rock, Hip hop, Dance,
2014’s Headliners: Macklemore & Ryan Lewis, City & Colour, Armin Van Buuren, Rise Against
Festival Dates: July 31, Aug 1, 2 and 3, 2015
Squamish Valley Music Festival 2015
Location: Squamish, B.C. (approx. distance from Kelowna: 4 hours 45 mins or 452 kms)
Genres: Indie Rock, Pop, Hip hop,
2014’s Headliners: Eminem, Arcade Fire, Bruno Mars
Festival Dates: Aug 7, 8 and 9, 2015
A festival goer enjoys Center of Gravity 2014 (photo by Alt Rock Radio Now/Valaura Vedan)
Location: Rock Creek, B.C. (approx. distance from Kelowna: 1 hour 10 mins or 136 kms)
Genres: Indie/Alt Rock
2014’s Headliners: Plants and Animals, Blouse, Gay Nineties, No Sinner
Festival Dates: TBA - likely Aug 21, 22 and 23, 2015
Bonus:
Of course, I couldn’t write a list like this without mention of Kelowna’s very own Center of Gravity. Sadly, we lost Keloha Music & Arts Festival for 2015, but worry not alternative rock fans as Center of Gravity is going to include more alt rock music in 2015!
Location: Kelowna, B.C.
Genres: Electronic, Dance, Hip hop, Alternative Rock
2014’s Headliners: Calvin Harris, J. Cole, Chromeo, Tegan and Sara
Festival Dates: July 24, 25 and 26, 2015
There are so many great festivals within a 5-hour driving distance from Kelowna (this list is not intended to be comprehensive)! No matter which festivals you attend this summer, be safe and have fun, and if you take nothing else away from this article, it’s that now is the time to start thinking about your summer 2015 music festival plans...
Do you want to contact Vince? E-mail him at: vince@kelownanow.com or connect with him on Twitter, Google+, LinkedIn or Instagram. You can also catch Vince as the host of Alt Rock Radio Now, a weekly alternative/indie music podcast.
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