Go! Music Festival Preview
The GO! Music Festival in Kitchener-Waterloo is back for its third straight year this weekend, once again bringing together a cool line-up of established artists and up-and-comers in the tri-cities. Over 60 acts spread over two nights are part of this year’s festivities; you’ll probably recognize some of the names and shake your head at some of the rest. Here’s a quick rundown of who’s playing.
Sarah Slean – A musician that really needs no introduction. She recently received multiple Juno nominations for her fifth studio album, Th
e Baroness, and now she headlines this third year of the Go Festival. http://www.myspace.com/sarahslean
Mobile – Breaking out on the scene in 2006 with their hit single “Out of My Head,” Mobile’s currently touring in support of their second album, Tales from the City. http://www.myspace.com/mobile
Sebastian Grainger – The singer and drummer for Canadian dance-punk duo Death From Above 1979 gets a little laid back with his new band, The Mountains. http://www.myspace.com/sebastiengrainger
Midway State – Need an introduction to Midway State? Turn on a radio and catch their Top 40 hit “Never Again.” http://www.myspace.com/themidwaystate
Mike Evin – The A'cappella man from Montreal instantly gets toes tapping wherever he plays. http://www.myspace.com/mikeevin
Spirits – A musical team-up between Ian Smith (The Miniatures) and Brad Germain (Marble Index), Spirits recently finished a tour with Mel C of Spice Girls fame, while watching their combined efforts become a force to be reckoned with in the music scene. http://www.myspace.com/spirits
Meredith Grant – In her own, quiet way, Meredith Grant’s made a big impression, often playing back up on the accordion for The Houseplants, Richard Laviolette and the Oilspills. Appropriately, she opens for Sarah Slean. http://www.myspace.com/theaccordionchick
Gran Casino – Described as the biggest thing to come from Waterloo since the Blackberry, these local boys will share the stage with Mobile and Midway State. http://www.myspace.com/grancasino
Flash Lightnin’ – Working their way back west, this power trio from Toronto makes a stopover at Go. http://www.myspace.com/flashlightnin
Kyp Harness – Doesn’t the guy that Ron Sexsmith calls “my favourite songwriter” sound like someone worth hearing? I thought so. http://www.myspace.com/kypharness
Violet Archers – A five-piece, pop rock band that passes through town every now and then, the Archers are as solid as they come. http://www.myspace.com/thevioletarchers
Paul MacLeod – Just back from a cross-country tour with Lucas Stagg, Paul MacLeod is welcomed back home in time for the Go Festival. http://www.myspace.com/macleodpaul
Jon Epworth – After playing with several bands out East for over a decade, Jon Epworth has set up shop in Toronto to try it on his own. http://www.myspace.com/jonepworth
Romney Getty – Already making a splash in the UK and New Zealand, Romney Getty comes back around to make her mark in her home and native land. http://www.myspace.com/romneygetty
The Speakeasies - "The Bootleggers of Fine Music" keep on truckin’ by headlining another local festival. http://www.myspace.com/thespeakeasiesreprise
Lucas Stagg – With the voice of Crash Test Dummies Brad Roberts, Lucas Stagg gives new root to Roots. http://www.myspace.com/lucasstagg
The Stars Here – One of the highlighted up-and-comers at this festival is this Waterloo-based alt-rock outfit. http://www.myspace.com/thestarshere
You & Me – The chilled sounds of 60s rockers like Chad & Jeremy, but with a hint of Montreal flavour for a modern touch. http://www.myspace.com/theyouandmeband
Run with the Kittens – Their name may be a little off-kilter, but the music is solid cool. You can enjoy the beatniky sounds of “Like a Leonard Cohen Novel” or dance your socks off to “Rhythm is a Techno.” http://www.myspace.com/runwiththekittens
Mike Alviano – This Kitchener folk rocker will only be playing another couple of shows locally before BC snaps him up for a month this July. http://www.myspace.com/mikealviano
Lynn Jackson – This folk artist has been a staple in the Southwestern Ontario music scene for years, and she’ll soon be on tour with Ambre McLean out east. http://www.myspace.com/lynnjackson
Life in Vacuum – A genuine, down and dirty punk band in K-W? Who would have thought? http://www.myspace.com/lifeinvacuum
Jing Bang Show – A great, funky little band that likes to let its music speak for itself. http://www.myspace.com/thejingbangshow
The Vestaloynes – "The Rodney Dangerfield of indie rock." Their words not mine. I assume because they get no respect, but they should. http://www.myspace.com/thevestaloynes
The Sound Foundation – See these recent winners of Wilfred Laurier's Last Band Standing competition and groove to their ska/rock sounds. http://www.myspace.com/thexsoundxfoundation
The Mississippi Kings – These blues brothers are from Hamilton, not Mississippi, but they’re still pretty smooth with the southern sound. http://www.myspace.com/mississippikings
The Disguises – If you’re ever in a car chase put on “Jacob Eldermyers Bleedin' Heart.” http://www.myspace.com/thedisguisesband
Sexdwarf – Definitely not what it sounds like, this band is steadily building a fan base in the tri-cities for their psychedelic sounds. http://www.myspace.com/sexdwarfband
Todd Donald – Folk with a comedic sharp edge, Todd Donald has been a best kept secret in Kitchener for years. http://www.myspace.com/todddonald
Darin Yorston – Sounding like an old fashioned country crooner, Yorston takes a break from his monthly show at the Cloak & Dagger in Toronto and heads West. http://www.myspace.com/darinyorston
Sioux Newberry – This one half of Newberry Vs. Newberry is hitting her stride as a solo artist with her unique blend of folk, country and jazz. http://www.myspace.com/girlnewberry
King Roller – An unbelievably solid country/rock band from right here in K-W, currently on a high after releasing their self-titled debut album. http://www.myspace.com/kingroller
Gentlemen Husbands – A pretty decent indie rock four-piece making the rounds across Ontario. http://www.myspace.com/carlyandmark
Carly & Mark – An old-fashioned folk/roots band that sound anything but old-fashioned. http://www.myspace.com/carlyandmark
Leif Vollebekk – Don’t let the name fool you, he’s from Quebec and his music owes a lot to Radiohead. http://www.myspace.com/leifvollebekk
Don Vail – A touch of Moby making his way up and down the 401. http://www.myspace.com/donvail
The Stone Angels – The name of this Kitchener band is no subtle hint as to what they’re all about, they rock! http://www.myspace.com/thestoneangelsmusic
Anti-Qs – From Niagara Falls comes a hint of East Coast rock dressed up as a garage band. http://www.myspace.com/theantiqs
Davey Parker Radio Sound – Invasion rock improved for the modern age, DPR has one ear on the past and another on the future. http://www.myspace.com/daveyparkermusic
Happy Camper & the Blue, Blue Heron – Yeah, they’re a folk rock band, obviously.
http://www.myspace.com/happycamperandtheblueblueheron
Ascot Royals - Southern rock with a twist, the Ascot Royals have a sound like no other. http://www.myspace.com/theascotroyals
Synaesthetic – Far from the 80s as you can get, London, Ontario’s “best boy band” are excellent hardcore rockers. http://www.myspace.com/thesynaesthetic
The Perpetrators – These hardcore blues rockers come to Go! all the way from Winnipeg. http://www.myspace.com/wpgperpetrators
Jerry Leger – With a voice like a young Elton John, Jerry Ledger schedules a stop at Go! in the midst of hectic touring schedule. http://www.myspace.com/jerryleger
John McGown – It may be country/folk, but John McGown sure knows how to rock a guitar and a harmonica. http://www.myspace.com/johnmcgownmusic
Mark Perak – If John Mayer was cool, he’d be Kitchener’s Mark Perak. http://www.myspace.com/markperak
Modernfield Recordings
Night Crash Noir – A relatively new band, Night Crash Noir is going places with their unique brand of grungy disco. http://www.myspace.com/nightcrashnoir
The Randalls – Combining psychedelic rock and the blues, this Milton band has been making press everywhere they go. http://www.myspace.com/therandallsofmilton
Josh Gabriel – This folk rocker splits his time between Toronto, Ottawa and Guelph. His acoustic rhythm is cool and contagious. http://www.myspace.com/joshgabrielcanada
Eye Rhyme – Part metal, part progressive rock, this Kitchener band aims to tame the same trail blazed by Rush and I Mother Earth Before them . http://www.myspace.com/eyerhyme
Dead Hour – They might kind of look like Evanescence, but this K-W band has a very acoustic sounding rhythm. http://www.myspace.com/deadhourmusic
CityWide Panic – These Waterloo rockers are in the enviable position of playing the hometown show. http://www.myspace.com/citywidepanic
Red Balloon
Rep By Pop – I saw a picture of these guys and all I can say is you can’t normally wear that much plaid without being grunge. And a drummer in a suit? Bold choice. http://www.myspace.com/repbypop
The Nuke
The Johnnys – These Toronto-based garage punks are coming off a strong showing at Canadian Music Week. And for the record, only two of them are named ‘Johnny.’ http://www.myspace.com/thejohnnysrock
Darlings of Chelsea – Their My Space page says it all, they “Rock, Rock, Rock” http://www.myspace.com/darlingsofchelsea
For more information about the GO Music Festival, including times and locations, visit the festival’s website, http://www.gomusicfestival.ca/
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