Canadian Summer 2009 Music Festival Guide

By Steve McLean

Music Festival Guide

Summer's here, and with it comes a slew of music festivals across Canada. Here's a rundown of the great music you can catch over the next month:

ROCK THE PARK

July 23-25
Harris Park, London, Ont.

The first night of this festival will be the one to catch, with performances by perennial favourites The Tragically Hip, singer/songwriter Kathleen Edwards, upstart rockers the Arkells and The Spades.

CALGARY FOLK MUSIC FESTIVAL

July 23-26
Prince's Island Park, Calgary, Alta.

The effervescent Michael Franti & Spearhead, alt.country artist Justin Rutledge, and new folkie Iron & Wine will play the main stage the first night. They will be followed by country punk veterans Mekons, literate pop group The Decemberists and hip-hop act Arrested Development on Friday, Former Barenaked Lady Steven Page, singer/songwriter Sarah Harmer and roots rocker Alejandro Escovedo will play on Saturday, and soul veteran Mavis Staples will take the stage on Sunday.

HILLSIDE FESTIVAL

July 24-26
Guelph Lake Island, Guelph, Ont.

This always popular fest returns with Polaris Music Prize winners Patrick Watson and Final Fantasy, alternative pop artist Gentleman Reg, former Eric's Trip member Julie Doiron, quiet pop band Great Lake Swimmers, the energetic Hey Rosetta!, master tunesmiths the Skydiggers, indie rockers Tokyo Police Club and many others.

VIRGIN FESTIVAL

July 25-26
Deer Lake Park, Vancouver, B.C.

Canadian rock veterans Our Lady Peace, Toronto hip-hop artist K-OS, critically acclaimed Montreal band Plants And Animals, former Distillers frontwoman Brody Dalle's new Spinnerette project and Grammy Award-nominated Mute Math will highlight the first day. Alternative rock pioneers Sonic Youth, Ben Harper's new Relentless7 outfit, former Pulp frontman Jarvis Cocker, Mercury Music Prize-winning Gomez, jazz rappers De La Soul, Welsh rock trio Future Of The Left and New York garage rockers Awesome Color will take the stage on day two.

SAPPYFEST

July 31-Aug. 2
Sackville, N.B.

Roots-punk band Attack In Black, Dan Bejar's Destroyer, Vancouver rock group Ladyhawk, Halifax breakthrough act Wintersleep and couples quartet Dog Day are among those playing this fourth annual festival.

OSHEAGA MUSIC AND ARTS FESTIVAL

Aug. 1-2
Parc Jean-Drapeau, Montreal, Que.

The world's most popular band, Coldplay, will headline on Saturday with support from the likes of the sample-crazy Girl Talk and pop artist Jason Mraz. Beastie Boys will be the main attraction the next day, while British new wavers Arctic Monkeys, Toronto electro duo Crystal Castles and a solo performance by singer/songwriter Rufus Wainwright are also on the bill.

CUTTING EDGE MUSIC FESTIVAL

Aug. 1-3
Bingeman's Camping Resort, Kitchener, Ont.

This festival moves to a new city this year and will feature punk acts like Protest The Hero, The Bronx and Ten Second Epic along with party machine Andrew W.K. on Saturday. Soulful hip-hop group The Roots, ska-influenced rockers illScarlett, punk band Moneen and ghettotech outfit Grand Analog will follow on Sunday.

EDMONTON FOLK MUSIC FESTIVAL

Aug. 6-9
Gallagher Park, Edmonton, Alta.

This long-running festival will feature Vancouver songstress Sarah McLachlan, the golden-voiced Neko Case, Halifax performer Joel Plaskett, retro-soul group Sharon Jones And The Dap Kings, singer/songwriter Steve Earle and Jamaican reggae veterans The Wailers.

REGINA FOLK FESTIVAL

Aug. 7-9
Victoria Park, Regina, Sask.

K-OS will close night one after performances by singer/songwriter Basia Bulat, Plants And Animals, world fusion group Delhi 2 Dublin and Iron & Wine. Latin-based pop group Pacifika, talented Calgarian Chad VanGaalen, alternative hip-hop artist Socalled, reggae rockers Bedouin Soundclash and The Wailers will be on the main stage on Saturday night. Veteran singer/songwriters Loudon Wainright III and Connie Kaldor, 2009 Juno Award winners Chic Gamine, Mauritanian musician Daby Toure and singing cowboy Corb Lund will wrap things up on Sunday.

FESTIVAL OF FRIENDS

Aug. 7-9
Gage Park, Hamilton, Ont.

The 34th annual festival will feature Canadian platinum-selling rock band Finger 11, guitar slingers Stevie Salas and David Wilcox, former Ramones drummer Marky Ramone and Toronto rock staple Kim Mitchell, among others.