Spinner Canadian Festival Guide 2011 -- September

Posted on Sep 2nd 2011 5:30PM by Jason MacNeil
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Shelter Valley Folk Festival

Grafton, Ontario, Sept. 2-4

Six Shooter

Situated about 90 minutes east of Toronto overlooking Lake Ontario, this annual Labour Day festival features a main stage along with a series of workshop stages during the day and a myriad of interesting musical combinations. A Wellness Village, Family Village, camping accommodations and a very affordable ticket price ($65 and under) makes this a fine escape from the suburbs and also cottage country.

Can't Miss Acts:

Royal Wood: After the strong reviews and acclaim his last album, 'The Waiting,' received, singer-songwriter Royal Wood will spend the fall on a 'Sneak Peak' tour featuring old material, some brand new material and covers. Wood released the 'Cover Sessions' EP earlier this year which should keep fans happy until the next full-length comes along.

Luke Doucet and the White Falcon: Doucet and his backing band issued 'Steel City Trawler,' produced by Sloan's Andrew Scott, earlier this year. Enjoy this set because the next time Doucet hits the festival circuit it may be with Whitehorse, a group he's forming with wife Melissa McClelland. Though he clearly loves his time with the White Falcon, keep an eye out for Whitehorse, the group he's forming with wife Melissa McClelland.

Edmonton Sonic Boom Festival

Edmonton, AB, Sept. 3

Jim Dyson, Getty Images

Edmonton's "modern rock" festival is looking like a hodgepodge of big name acts and this will be a go rain, shine or horrible storm. Organizers have pulled out all the stops, with a "super duper exclusive contingency plan" 72 hours beforehand giving them the option of moving everything indoors -- if inclement weather -- into an expo centre. And given the string of horrifying stage mishaps this summer it's definitely welcomed news.

Can't Miss Acts:

Jane's Addiction: With lead singer Perry Farrell free from Lollapalooza land (for a while at least), Jane's Addiction can now move forward with a new tour and album. The group have already released two songs from 'The Great Escape Artist,' including the single 'End to the Lies.' Jane's Addiction also released a 3D video for the song 'Irresistible Force,' but tacky 3D cardboard glasses won't be required in Edmonton.

Metric: With a recent Tweet stating they are back in the studio, Metric might just give fans at Sonic Boom a taste of what the band's been working on. There's no word when the new album comes out, but frontwoman Emily Haines told Toronto publication The Grid to expect "a lot of energy and a lot of rock 'n' roll" from the next release. So concert-goers should be prepared to dance in Edmonton.

Envol Et Macadam

Quebec City, QC, Sept. 28-Oct. 1

Daniel Boczarski, Redferns

Established in 1996 and spanning Quebec City's historic streets, Envol Et Macadam has featured a bevy of Francophone artists and some bigger punk rock names like Pennywise, Bad Religion along with Bloc Party, Sum 41 and Metric. Held both outdoors and indoors, this event was pushed back this year from its traditional slot in early September.

Can't Miss Acts:

Flogging Molly: Picking up the mantle from the Pogues, this rollicking Celtic-punk band continue to deliver the goods with their latest album, 'Speed of Darkness,' which was recorded at an old North Carolina church-cum-studio. Expect a set of boisterous tunes from the boys, and get ready to head straight to the beer garden after Flogging Molly wraps up those drinking songs.

Protest the Hero: Whitby, Ontario's prog-hardcore ensemble put out their third album, 'Scurrilous,' in March and have been on the road supporting it. They've also found time to post videos or "lessons" for fans stoked to learn some of their songs. The video lessons -- done in association with Ultimate Guitar -- reveal some of their more intricate riffs so know fans might actually be able to figure out mind-shuttering tracks like 'Hair-Trigger.'

Harvest Jazz and Blues Festival

Fredericton, NB, Sept. 13-18

Anthony Pidgeon, Redferns

Held over five days in over two dozen different venues downtown, this year's festival was dealt a blow when headliner Gregg Allman was forced to pull out. However, Harvest Jazz and Blues Fest preserved with an "eleventh-hour replacement" a mere nine days later, tapping blues legend Buddy Guy and the Levon Helm band. Not exactly a horrible Plan B, is it? Toss in "early" and late "Afterburner" shows and you have a full feast of the blues.

Can't Miss Acts:

Buddy Guy: Although Guy couldn't commit to a handful of Japanese dates in August due to illness, the longtime bluesman should be ready to pace the stage in Fredericton. Last year's 'Living Proof' record earned the 75-year-old icon a Grammy Award for Best Contemporary Blues Album. So you know his set will be hard to top.

Warren Haynes Band: Representing the Allman Brothers Band (of sorts) with Gregg Allman's absence, Warren Haynes hasn't met a jam session he hasn't liked. A longtime Gov't Mule guitarist -- who has played with the Dead also -- Haynes still found time to put out his own album, 'Man in Motion,' this year.

Pop Montreal

Montreal, QC, Sept. 21-25

Shirlaine Forrest, WireImage

Pop Montreal has spent the last 10 years growing in leaps and bounds. And while it falls on the heels of the Austin City Limits Music Festival, this Quebec fest has a few aces up its sleeve this year, namely a free outdoor concert by Arcade Fire. If that doesn't sell it, we don't know what could.

Can't Miss Acts:

Arcade Fire: What hasn't this Montreal band done? Well, aside from not playing the Polaris Music Prize ceremony later this month due to tour logistics, not much. The group is nearing the homestretch supporting their Grammy-winning album 'The Suburbs,' and to celebrate another success jaunt around the globe they're playing the free outdoor show Sept. 22 plus a more intimate club gig the night before.

Peter Hook: With the old order of New Order in total disorder and no plans to get back on good terms, Peter Hook is forging ahead with his own band, the Light, which is draw upon Joy Division's early days. The Pop Montreal performance will see him perform the group's 'Unknown Pleasures' landmark. When not with the band, Hook still does DJ sets, and will be fresh off dates in Beijing and Shanghai when he hits Montreal.

Olio Festival

Vancouver, BC, Sept. 22-25

Samuel Dietz, WireImage

A multi-media arts festival aimed at those lapping up independent music, film, art and comedy, Olio is already a staple for the scene, despite only kicking off in 2009. Having doubled the amount of non-Vancouver artists and musicians since last year (and with attendance close to doubling also), the 2011 showcase promises an "All Ages Record Store" concert series and a comedy roast of the city's mayor Gregor Robertson.

Can't Miss Acts:

J Mascis: Taking a break from Dinosaur Jr., guitarist J Mascis most likely will be doling out material from his solo album 'Several Shades of Why.' The appearance is part of a brief Canadian jaunt for the oddball rocker this month and will surely draw Dino fans citywide even though Mascis is playing his own softer, largely acoustic tunes.

Braids: Nominated for this year's Polaris Prize, Montreal transplants Braids have been getting a lot of press for their debut, 'Native Speaker.' Compared by some to early Broken Social Scene or Animal Collective, the art rockers have a busy few months ahead, with dates around North American slated through late October.

Rifflandia Festival

Victoria, BC Sept. 22-25

Roger Kisby, Getty Images

A mere child of a festival dating back to only 2008, Rifflandia has nonetheless made a huge footprint on the Western Canadian festival circuit. Attracting names like Black Mountain, Tegan and Sara and Melissa Auf Der Maur since its inception, the festival continues to add unique artists and events, including last year's treasure hunt "Win!Landia!" And they let flags in, too, so you can claim your own patch of grass. Well, as long as they're attached to "soft bamboo poles."

Can't Miss Acts:

City and Colour: After the somewhat messy implosion of Alexisonfire, look for Dallas Green to keep going with what is now his main band. The group broke out from the quiet, reflective singer-songwriter realm with their latest album, 'Little Hell,' but chances are you'll be in heaven as soon as Green takes the stage.

Gomez: British stalwarts Gomez should have a bigger stature on this side of the Atlantic, but regardless, they keep churning out quality records. The newest one, 'Whatever's on Your Mind,' was one they said they "reeled in" at 10 songs so perhaps concert-goers might get to hear some of the gems that didn't make the release. Whatever their setlist holds, Gomez will be ready to defend their elder statesmen honour, just you wait.

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