Jody Glenham performing at the Khatsahlano Street Party this summer.
The Victory Square Block Party is a free music festival that traditionally marks the end of summer, at least for some Vancouverites. The Labour Day event features local indie acts, vendors and more, all in the Downtown Eastside’s Victory Square (316 W. Hastings St.) on Sept. 4.
Let’s look at the lineup for the 2016 edition.
Mourning Coup – Chandra Melting Tallow draws on her mixed ancestry from the Siksika Nation for what has been called “contemplative spiritual electronica.” Her album Baby Blue made our 2015 list of Vancouver Albums You Might Have Missed.
Chandra Melting Tallow performs under her stage name Mourning Coup at this year’s Victory Square music fest.
So Loki – Hip-hop from Sam Lucia and Natura, we think.
Jody Glenham and the Dreamers – Vancouver singer/songwriter Jody Glenham leads her appropriately named band through a set of dreamy pop.
Milk – “Sleepy slacker-pop” is how Noisey described the music of Milk, which apparently was formed by members of another promising indie-pop act, that one called Watermelon.
Tough Customer – Described as “off-kilter art-punk” in the Victory Square press release. Hear for yourself on the Tough Customer bandcamp page.
Other acts include Pale Red, Swim Team, and SBDC.
The all-day outdoor event, which starts at 2 p.m. and finishes at 9, will also feature local food vendors and refreshments provided by The Capilano Tea House. Local businesses such as Audiopile Records, Bard on the Beach, Community Thrift and Vintage, Timbre Concerts, and many more are providing raffle prizes.
According to the press release, “Everyone is invited — bring the kids, bring the dog, bring the cat, bring yourselves and your favourite blanket, relax out on the lovely Victory Square Park lawn and enjoy the last days of summer.”
This year’s poster design was provided by local emerging artist Dana Kearley. In addition to being a longtime illustrator of Discorder Magazine, Kearley is regularly commissioned by local record labels and musicians for album art, show posters, and band swag.
The annual celebration of indie arts is held in support of local non-profit and independent media organizations, including Megaphone Magazine, a street publication sold by homeless and low-income vendors in Vancouver and Victoria, and CiTR 101.9FM/Discorder Magazine, Vancouver’s independent community and campus-based broadcaster. CiTR will be on-site live broadcasting the event, providing station personalities as MCs throughout the afternoon.
