The Pemberton Music Festival is set to have a distinct Squamish flavour after Saturday’s (June 27) Be the Best, Play the Fest competition.
A total of eight bands from all across the Sea to Sky Corridor took to the stage at The Meadows in Pemberton and after all was said and done, the top two spots went to Squamish based bands.
Lovecoast, fronted by Squamish’s Danielle Sweeney, earned top spot at the contest and will now share the stage with Kendrick Lamar, Missy Elliot, The Black Keys and comic duo Cheech and Chong amongst many others.
The band also won $3,000 for its efforts.
“It’s huge and it’s just so massive for us,” Sweeney said. “Hearing the news that we’re playing right now and just that we’re going to be surrounded by all the amazing talent at the festival is pretty overwhelming. We’re just so stoked.”
Each band played three songs and were then judged by a panel. Lovecoast went second and Sweeney said the sweltering heat made for a bit of a challenge.
“We weren’t really sure how it all came off,” she said. “Number two is a hard spot and the sound was still being worked on – when we started my mic wasn’t on but it just feels really good to win.”
The Will Ross Band, fronted by Squamish resident Will Ross, placed second and earned $1,500. They also play a pre-festival event in Whistler on the Wednesday before the festival begins and will open for The Sam Roberts Band.
Ross said he was thrilled with the second place showing.
“I get to open for Sam Roberts, man,” Ross said. “As soon as they said that I was like ‘Oh my God, that’s incredible’ and I didn’t really care about finishing second. I’m so ecstatic to have this opportunity and I’m blown away.”
He said the great showings by Squamish bands proves that local talent is strong.
“This really gives people coming to Pemberton the chance to know what Sea to Sky music is all about,” he said. “There are a lot of talented musicians in our community and I wish more people would see what’s happening in Squamish because there’s a lot going on and you don’t have to go too far.”
Sweeney agreed and said the Squamish music scene, which was also represented by new band Dentville on Saturday, is growing.
“We’re finally coming through,” she said. “It’s been a long haul of not much music in town but over the last couple of years I’ve seen a lot more quality music coming from our community. It speaks good to our little town.”
Mountain FM promotions manager and morning show co-host Carl Brown said he was pleased with how the debuting event turned out.
“The bands all represented the corridor so well,” he said. “I’m really proud of the whole event.”
Whistler band Marble Canyon placed third and earned $500.
The Pemberton Music Festival runs from July 16 to 19 in the Spud Valley. For more information on the event, visit www.pembertonmusicfestival.com.
