The Squamish Equinox Rock Festival (SERF), which made a name for itself as an outdoor party at Nexen Beach, has moved inside. Instead of holding the multi-day celebration of music on the shores of Howe Sound as in previous years, organizer Paul Hudson is delivering SERF as an indoor music series at the Howe Sound Brew Pub for 2012.
On Friday (March 30), the second instalment of this year's SERF series will see Whistler's Rasta king, Kostaman, and his band the Good Vibrations join Vancouver reggae aficionados Freeflow for a night of pulsating rhythms and beats.
"Freeflow has had many great parties at the Brew Pub," drummer Ryan Davis said. "It's been a while though, so we're looking forward to getting back there."
The band has a full year ahead of writing, recording and touring some new music, bringing their high energy reggae, soul and rock 'n' roll sound to new levels.
"Freeflow always brings a party," said Davis. "We do everything we can to get people on the dance floor and we don't stop - plus having Kostaman performing that night as well is only going help make this a fun night."
This will be Freeflow's first time performing for SERF in the 10 years the band has been together.
"As individuals, we have all played the festival in various other groups and we hope to have another chance again soon," Davis said. "It's always a good time."
Squamish has a core group of locals who have supported SERF since it started in 2007 but the overall attendance wasn't where it needed to be for SERF to be financially sustainable as an outdoor festival, said Hudson about the festival's changing gears.
"The reason we have moved the event indoors for the time being is primarily economic," he said. "For the time being we plan to host our indoor events as a way to keep SERF moving forward."
The first event of the 2012 series was a roots- and rhythm-themed show featuring the local francophone band Volume Collective and renowned multi-instrumentalist Shane Phillips.
Coming up after Friday's reggae concert will be a funk event on June 1 with performances by headliners Jackie Treehorn and Pemberton-based opening act Papa Josh. Events for September and November are currently in the works.
Join Kostaman, Freeflow and Riddim Fernandez - SERF's resident DJ - on Friday (March 30) at 8 p.m. at the Howe Sound Brew Pub. Advance tickets are $15 and available at the Brew Pub and the Trinity Romance shop on Second Avenue, or pay $20 at the door. For more information on SERF, visit www.squamishmusicfestival.com.
