Part of enjoying a music festival like Rifflandia is putting on your musical explorer hat, or cape – whichever you prefer. The fact of the matter is, with more than 170 acts in the lineup, there’s no conceivable way to be familiar with all of them. Unless of course, you’re Nick Blasko or Dimitri Demers of Atomique Productions, the festival’s producers.
With more acts this year than ever before, and more international acts who’ve never played a set on our Island paradise, Rifflandia 6 is sure to be a spectacle like no other.
Edward Sharpe and the Magnetic Zeros, Courtney Love, Big Boi, Death From Above 1979, James Murphy and Pat Mhoney (DFA/LCD Soundsystem), Stars, Matt & Kim, Beats Antique and the list goes on, and on, and on — are all gracing one of 14 stages at this year’s festival. Instead of a side stage at Royal Athletic Park, organizers are opting for a massive open-walled tent to help focus the energy and give the park a different feel.
“And Nick really likes tents,” says Demers.
Action at RAP will “ping pong” back and forth from stage to tent, keeping the music flowing all day long.
New night venues include the Copper Owl, Rehab Nightclub, the recently expanded Phillips Brewery backyard and CMCT studios, an intimate space with a small capacity on Discovery Street, curated by Colin McTaggart.
Rifflandia Headquarters (and Atomique Productions office) is now located inside the old RBC building on the corner of Pandora and Douglas, where you can buy tickets, merch or just stop by and have some fun with your fellow Rifflandians.
Remember: It’s always easiest to get around town on bicycle, especially at night when there are 12 stages operating simultaneously. And if you have certain acts on your “must see” list, get there early as venue capacities range from 40 to 2,000. rifflandia.com.
