The Pemberton Music Festival is set to have a distinct Squamish flavour after Saturday鈥檚 (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鈥檚 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.
鈥淚t鈥檚 huge and it鈥檚 just so massive for us,鈥� Sweeney said. 鈥淗earing the news that we鈥檙e playing right now and just that we鈥檙e going to be surrounded by all the amazing talent at the festival is pretty overwhelming. We鈥檙e just so stoked.鈥�
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.
鈥淲e weren鈥檛 really sure how it all came off,鈥� she said. 鈥淣umber two is a hard spot and the sound was still being worked on 鈥� when we started my mic wasn鈥檛 on but it just feels really good to win.鈥�
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.
鈥淚 get to open for Sam Roberts, man,鈥� Ross said. 鈥淎s soon as they said that I was like 鈥極h my God, that鈥檚 incredible鈥� and I didn鈥檛 really care about finishing second. I鈥檓 so ecstatic to have this opportunity and I鈥檓 blown away.鈥�
He said the great showings by Squamish bands proves that local talent is strong.
鈥淭his really gives people coming to Pemberton the chance to know what Sea to Sky music is all about,鈥� he said. 鈥淭here are a lot of talented musicians in our community and I wish more people would see what鈥檚 happening in Squamish because there鈥檚 a lot going on and you don鈥檛 have to go too far.鈥�
Sweeney agreed and said the Squamish music scene, which was also represented by new band Dentville on Saturday, is growing.
鈥淲e鈥檙e finally coming through,鈥� she said. 鈥淚t鈥檚 been a long haul of not much music in town but over the last couple of years I鈥檝e seen a lot more quality music coming from our community. It speaks good to our little town.鈥�
Mountain FM promotions manager and morning show co-host Carl Brown said he was pleased with how the debuting event turned out.
鈥淭he bands all represented the corridor so well,鈥� he said. 鈥淚鈥檓 really proud of the whole event.鈥�
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.
