Music Festival Survival Guide: Pemberton Music Festival Edition

By: Daniel Gerichter (@ZenDonut) –

So you’re going to the Pemberton Music Festival. Your friends, co-workers and Twitter followers are SO jealous, because they see that poster and know that you’re going to experience as much of it as possible. Easier said than done.

There’s a lot of pressure to planning an ideal festival weekend. Once the schedule hits, you’ve got hard choices to make. Choices that ultimately mean you’re going to see one of your favourite artists over another. Don’t panic; you can work with it. Pemberton’s lineup offers experiences from every genre – from Shoegaze to Dubstep to ’90s groundbreakers. You want to experience as much of that as possible. Moreover, you want to do so comfortably so when Monday comes you go back home to your jealous friends and flaunt the triumph that was. Here then is your guide to having the most kickass Pemberton weekend possible – along with some safety tips.

Need tickets? Click here to win a pair of GA passes! 

True Patriot Love

Let’s start with the thing that makes Pemberton so unique: homegrown talent at every level. As though a reflection of the true state of the music industry, Pemberton’s cross section of Canuck artists proves exactly what the other fests are missing.

_____________________________________________________________________________________
Sam Roberts Band
_____________________________________________________________________________________

Sam Roberts truly is one of Canada’s greatest songwriters. We’re pretty sure that seeing him live is at this point something every Canadian must do, like putting a validation sticker on your car. If you haven’t yet, see him at Pemberton and earn your citizenship.

_____________________________________________________________________________________
BadBadNotGood
_____________________________________________________________________________________

Running hot off the release of Sour Soul, the killer new collaboration between the Toronto trio and Wu-Tang alum Ghostface Killah, BadBadNotGood bring their excellent show to Pemberton.

_____________________________________________________________________________________
July Talk
_____________________________________________________________________________________

One of the great success stories of the last few years, July Talk have developed a reputation for having one of Canada’s finest live shows.

Tip: Be Prepared for Rain

Come with a plastic poncho that you can pull out if needed, as well as a small plastic bag for your cell phone, cash, ID, etc. (consider leaving your wallet at home to lighten the load and just bring the essentials!).

BEEEEEEOOOOOOOOOoooooOOOOO BWAAAAHBWABWABWABWABWA

That of course is the mating call of the EDM DJ. If you’re wholly dedicated to guitar-based music, this is your chance to experience EDM (basically) consequence-free, and open your horizons. Here are a few can’t-miss EDM acts at Pemberton.

_____________________________________________________________________________________
Bassnectar
_____________________________________________________________________________________

While dubstep has become something of a joke among music fans, there are artists who truly innovate the genre and Bassnectar are one of them. Don’t miss their brilliant live set.

_____________________________________________________________________________________
Flux Pavilion
_____________________________________________________________________________________

We know, we know. ‘EDM acts don’t play any instruments’. About that… the UK multitalent plays guitar, piano drums and saxophone – including the ones you hear on his own albums. So much for that theory.

_____________________________________________________________________________________
Paul Oakenfold
_____________________________________________________________________________________

In a time when fans called EDM “electronica”, Paul Oakenfold ruled the scene with an iron fist. The man has still got it.

Tip: Bring a USB or Portable Phone Charger
Many festivals now have a cell phone charging station, so come prepared with your charger. If you don’t want to get stuck hanging around the charging station, or if there isn’t one on-site, a portable charger will also do the trick!

Throw Your Hands in the Air

Not every festival features a rich hip-hop showing, which is odd considering how many hip-hop tracks were tailor-made for summer. Luckily, Pemberton’s curated a cross-section of some of the best hip-hop acts.

_____________________________________________________________________________________
Kendrick Lamar
_____________________________________________________________________________________

Best album of 2015? Could be. Kendrick Lamar has grown from buzzed-about Compton emcee to Dr. Dre’s new protégé, to bonafide superstar in just a few short years. It’s easy to see why with his second album (and legit album of the year candidate) To Pimp a Butterfly.

_____________________________________________________________________________________
J. Cole
_____________________________________________________________________________________

For an artist whose unique set of skills is sought out repeatedly by the likes of Drake, J. Cole really knows how to do things in his own, old school way – as is evidenced on his brilliant album Forrest Hills Drive.

 

_____________________________________________________________________________________
Run The Jewels
_____________________________________________________________________________________

In case you didn’t catch the stream of their bonkers Coachella set, here’s a primer: Run The Jewels (el-P and Killer Mike) are the most important act in hip-hop today, with two albums that absolutely slay live. Do not miss this set.

Tip: Stay Hydrated
Ensure you drink plenty of water regularly throughout the event. You can mix it up with electrolyte drinks every so often to top up your energy levels, but avoid caffeinated energy drinks, especially if you’re drinking alcohol.

It’s Like, You Know… Whatever

Shoegaze music refers to the hands-in-pocket, eyes-on-the-ground aesthetic of a large swath of today’s indie artists. They’re a fundamental part of almost every festival lineup, and Pemberton seems to instinctively know the best ones to put on their stages. Consider this your chance to instantly up your hipster cred.

_____________________________________________________________________________________
Edward Sharpe and The Magnetic Zeros
_____________________________________________________________________________________

One of the most beloved shoegaze bands, Edward Sharpe and The Magnetic Zeros are currently bringing their triumphant tour for their brilliant, self-titled 2013 album to an end and getting back into the studio.

_____________________________________________________________________________________
The War on Drugs
_____________________________________________________________________________________

Something of a supergroup, The War on Drugs have found new, critically acclaimed direction after founder Kurt Vile’s departure. Catch them performing cuts from their critically acclaimed 2014 album Lost in a Dream.

_____________________________________________________________________________________
Judah and The Lion
_____________________________________________________________________________________

One of the most talked-about acts in the folk/bluegrass indie revolution, Judah & the Lion have killed it on Nashville stages for almost a decade now.

Tip: Time-Stamp Your Text Messages
It will be loud, and many attendees rely on text messages to communicate with friends on-site, especially since Pemberton’s has multiple stages and your friends’ location may constantly shift. Given the volume of cell activity in the area, messages can be delayed. Time-stamped messages ensure your friends know what time you sent a text message and are not heading to meet you at a location you were at an hour ago and have since moved from.

TBT, but like, ALL WEEKEND

Perhaps Pemberton’s greatest strength lies in its ability to mix today’s most relevant acts with a generous helping of throwback artists. Some are on their first tour in over a decade, while others may be on their farewell tour. Either way, these are artists worth taking a chance on.

_____________________________________________________________________________________
De La Soul
_____________________________________________________________________________________

Native Tongue members, long-time creators of hip-hop with a conscience and Damon Albarn loyalists, De La Soul have been in the game almost as long as the game’s been around. Experience one of the most iconic acts in hip-hop history.

_____________________________________________________________________________________
Missy Elliott
_____________________________________________________________________________________

Having marked her incredible return to music at the SuperBowl, Missy Elliott is back to prove to an all-new generation of fans how limitless (and delightfully weird) her talents are. Don’t miss a chance to get your freak on with one of the greatest.

_____________________________________________________________________________________
Jane’s Addiction
_____________________________________________________________________________________

I’ve seen Jane’s Addiction three times since they reunited in 2001. They’ve definitely changed since the days of Nothing’s Shocking. They have to downtune, because Perry Farrell simply cannot hit those old high notes. That said it’s still a blast to sing along to “Jane Says”, “Stop”, and “Ocean Size” and harken back to the original Lollapalooza. While we’ve said this about every tour these guys have done for the last decade, this tour may legitimately be their last, so if you haven’t seen them yet, make sure your Pemberton experience includes one of alternative rock’s most hallowed pioneers.

Tip: Wear comfortable footwear

You will be on your feet for most of the day so; it’s best to choose function over fashion. Also, keep potential rain in mind when choosing your footwear — it could get muddy.

Pemberton Music Festival runs from July 16-19, 2015 in Pemberton, BC.