WATCH: Lineup for two major Greater Victoria music festivals was announced today and it is showcasing Canada’s major talent with many of the artist coming from Vancouver Island.
Monica Martinez reports.
Singer/songwriter Scott Stanton strums a tune fans of his band Current Swell will recognize.
Stanton moved to Victoria from Alberta more than a decade ago and has never looked back.
“We’ve travelled the world with the band and for pleasure and whenever I set foot back on this island, I think oh my god we just live in the most amazing place in the world,” he said.
Bands like Current Swell are choosing to stay on the island, growing the local music scene and headlining big music festivals like Rock the Shores and Rifflandia.
“We have so many great festivals that are getting bigger and bigger and getting recognition across Canada.”
Stanton said the local festivals helped Current Swell get a foot in the door.
“We asked them for a show, they put us on and watched the progress. It breathes life into the whole scene, you know,” he said.
The band is playing this year’s Rock the Shores, sharing the stage with other Vancouver Island musicians.
“The Friday night, the first night is going to be known as the 7 mile social, so 7 miles from Victoria we’ll have the biggest names in local music, guys that are really rooted here and have been selling out shows,” said Jimmy Leitch with Atomique Productions, the event producer for both festivals.
The lineup this year is distinctly Canadian. Only two bands are from outside Canada.
Victoria Artist Manager Stephen Franke said local festivals have helped his bands become well known.
He manages five artists and they are all on the Friday night bill.
“I feel like we really have a strong music pool on the island and it comes maybe because we do live on the island and it’s such a supportive environment. Fans of music are really supportive here so there are a lot of people that come out and help fill the venues,” Franke said.
With so much talent, the Capital Region is becoming known as a creative hub and impressive music destination.
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