Top notch musical acts from around Canada and beyond will converge at Palm Beach over Labour Day long weekend for two days of sun and song at the 30th annual Sunshine Music Festival.
Daniel Wesley is headlining the festival and playing the last slot on Sunday night, starting at 7:45 pm. The Vancouver-based musician has been building a reputation for energetic, upbeat reggae and rock-inspired pop songs ever since the radio favourite “Ooo Ohh” came out in 2007. Promoting his fifth studio album, Easy Livin’, Wesley is bringing with him a set that is eclectic and intended to have something for everyone.
This isn’t Wesley’s first time out in the Powell River area but he’s looking forward to coming to town with a “diverse set of happy reggae music with rock and some acoustic music as well” that will get people “dancing, hugging, celebrating, having a good time,” said Wesley. “People that show up are just there for a good time,” said Wesley, “and for the most part [festivals are] usually sunny...and it’s just generally always a really positive thing.”
Vancouver-based eight-piece ensemble The Paperboys will be closing out the Saturday night lineup with their acoustic mashup of Latin, Irish, folk and bluegrass sounds. For the past 15 years the band has been touring Canada, the United States and Europe with its spirited live show but will be playing the Powell River area for the first time with its festival set. Band founder Tom Landa said that the outdoor music festival is his favourite venue for the band because the weather is usually good, the settings are beautiful and the sound is clear. Landa said he also likes seeing the audience get into the music and that his band encourages audience participation in the process.
“Sure, we’re on a stage but that’s the only divider really between us and the crowd,” said Landa. “We really try to be as accessible and down to earth as a band can be and share the evening of music versus playing to them.”
Artistic director Clayton Brander said that he’s excited by this year’s lineup, especially by The Paperboys, a band that Brander said the festival has been trying to get here for a number of years. Brander also said to keep ears open for Mae Moore, a legend in the Canadian folk and jazz scenes, along with Kim Churchill, a 20-year-old Australian guitarist and surfer who plays a one man rock show that has been garnering attention worldwide.
Local musicians Chopstixx, Devon Hanley with Powell River-Sunshine Coast MLA Nicholas Simons accompanying on cello and Ben Bouchard will also be taking to the stage over the course of the festival.
“It’s fun to put on a good party, it’s fun to see people enjoying themselves,” said Brander. “I love live music...The more live music we can add to the pot, the more culture that we can add to the town, that’s fantastic.”
The festival is a family-friendly event with no pets allowed. There will be food and craft vendors onsite, as well as a CD tent selling albums from the performers. There is ample parking close to the festival. In an effort to discouragebuying bottled water there will be a water source on site for people to fill up reusable bottles. Every year the festival is working towards becoming more sustainable and there will be compost and recycling facilities present.
Tickets are $50 for a weekend pass or $30 for a single day. Children under 12 are free and seniors and students are admitted at a reduced price. Tickets are available at River City Coffee, Rocky Mountain Pizza and Bakery Co., by phone at 604.485.7559 or at the gate.
Organizers of the festival arealways looking for volunteers to help out. Anyone interested in getting involved can visit the website at www.sunshinemusicfest.com. A full lineup and further details can also be found on the website.
