Back From the Island: Photojournal of the Wolfe Island Music Festival

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It was a perfect weekend to be outside on Wolfe Island listening to live music. While I didn’t catch every act, here are my photo memories and some musings about my experience at the fest.

Hard-core festival goers lined up at 9:30PM to catch Friday night’s headliner, Elliot Brood. Earlier that night fans were treated to The Attic Kids and Daniel Romano on the main stage. The party boat, as it was affectionately called, had a bar, DJ and snacks available. Before getting on, you had to show your festival pass. Having arrived in Kingston long after the gates had opened and their ferry terminal check-in was torn down for the night, I didn’t have mine. Neither did the couple in front of me who were friends of one of the bands. Right off the bat, I was given a feel for the vibe of this island fest when Adam, the Festival Express Boat coordinator, shrugged and said: “If you’re confident enough [that you’re on the list] to get on a ferry to an island, at night, I trust you. Go on!”

Every band has the one member who chats with and warms up the audience, for Elliott Brood, this was Casey Laforet. They played fast and furious-strings were breaking faster than they could be replaced. My favourite line of the night was: “We don’t know how long this ukelele’s gonna last, let’s go!” And go they did, they are a fun band to watch and dance along to.

I don’t know if you were at Just For Laughs this summer, but I was. While there, I found a certain stripe wearing wanderer. You can imagine my delight to have found him again.

Lowell offered a fun combo of alt-pop, dance-y tunes and had everyone on their feet.

Music lovers of all ages were in attendance. It’s something I love about outdoor, live music. In addition to the tunes and good vibes of live performance, you will see people of all stripes and walks of life. I say more power to the folks who find a way to share this part of their life with their children and have them grow up with the soul nourishment that is music. Maybe not the beer yet, though ;)

The Elwins brought a lot of energy, rock-pop attitude and a whole lotta ‘stache.

The festival site offered food truck goodies as well as swag.

The energy rose as the sun began to set. Ironically, it came out for the first time at the end of the day.

Hayden played out the daylight.

Represent.

The second to last act of the evening had to cut their set short due to an enormously long sound check. The Operators were great, but I think they’d have been happier in a dark indoor setting.

Finally, the headliners came on and rocked out the weekend. Constantines delivered to a packed in crowd of fans who were happy to see them back at the Wolfe Island Music Festival.

I think what I loved the most about attending this festival, on top of the awesomeness of being on an island and taking a ferry, was getting to see Canadian artists that have a following outside of Quebec. I feel like for all our wonderful culture in Montreal, we miss out on celebrating and getting to know so many talented musicians from outside our Belle Province as well as our home grown. If you get a chance to get out of town and see these artists, do it. Like the Wolfe Island Music Festival on Facebook for updates on next year’s fest.