Festivals
Barnside Harvest Festival 2025 – Day Three Recap & Photos
The final day of the Barnside Harvest Festival leaned hard into country, and honestly, it couldn’t have been a better fit. Paterson Park in Ladner was soaked in rain for most of the morning, but by 2:30 the skies cleared, the temperature crept up, and the crowd settled in for one last round of music, dogs, and local beer.
Sunday was “dog day,” which meant the park was full of wagging tails, costumes, and a rescue booth stocked with puppies that stole just as much attention as the performers. Add in a row of dog-friendly market stands and it almost felt like a county fair. Boots stomped, dogs barked, and the music rolled.
We started the day at 3 p.m. with Madisyn Gifford, who made the most of her slot. Newly signed to 604 Records, she played nearly an hour, unusually generous for such an early set, and showed the polish of an artist quickly on the rise. Her mix of pop-country hooks and confident stage presence set the tone for the day: upbeat, heartfelt, and proudly homegrown.
Tony Stevens was scheduled next, but rain-soaked sound equipment delayed his start by fifteen minutes. Once things were sorted, though, his easygoing charm carried him through. Stevens kept the mood light, joking about the weather between songs, and the crowd was forgiving as most people were still drying out themselves.
By mid-afternoon, the Dueck Cadillac Stage came alive with Chase the Bear, a band whose name, as per their introduction, was chosen by their mother. Their energy was infectious, with a rock edge that gave the day’s country tilt a welcome kick. They’re clearly a group that doesn’t take themselves too seriously, but they play like they’ve got something to prove.
One of the biggest ovations of the afternoon went to Jesse Roper, a festival favourite from Victoria who’s been with Barnside since the very beginning. It’s rare to see a performer so genuinely loved by both organizers and fans, but Roper fits that bill perfectly. His soulful guitar work and gravelly vocals hit the sweet spot between blues and country, and the crowd responded with the kind of enthusiasm that makes you think he’ll be booked here as long as he wants to return.
As the sun began to sink, the main stage welcomed Shakey Graves, whose dusty Americana sound felt tailor-made for a Sunday evening. His one-man-band roots still shine through, even with a full band behind him now, and his mix of storytelling and sharp picking pulled the crowd closer to the stage. He was a clear bridge between the local acts and the headliner.
Closing out the weekend was The Dead South, a band that has built their reputation on blending prairie grit with old-time string-band swagger. Dressed in their trademark white shirts and black suspenders, they had the crowd hollering along from the first note. By the time they reached their viral hit “In Hell I’ll Be in Good Company”, they had given a finale that stitched the festival together: rootsy, fun, and proudly Canadian.
What makes Barnside work is how much it balances the feel of a serious music festival with the ease of a community gathering. Three days in, it was clear that organizers have thought through every detail, from shuttles and bike valets to food trucks and family-friendly zones. Day three proved that a festival can lean into country without losing its wider identity. It was still eclectic, still welcoming, and still one of the most laid-back weekends on the B.C. music calendar.
The rain may have tested spirits early, but by nightfall, boots were muddy, dogs were tired, and fans were smiling. Barnside has already carved out a unique identity in just three years, and Sunday’s finale proved it’s only growing stronger.
Check out our favourite photos of the day or head to our Facebook page for the full gallery!
THE DEAD SOUTH
SHAKEY GRAVES
JESSE ROPER
TONY STEVENS
MADISYN GIFFORD
SHRED KELLY
THE VAUDEVILLIAN
CHASE THE BEAR
All Photo Credit: Caroline Charruyer
Festivals
Governors Ball 2026 Release Daily Schedules
The set times are in. Governors Ball Music Festival just dropped its daily schedules for June 5–7, and the usual game begins: mapping your day, picking your battles, and accepting you can’t see everything.
Friday, June 5
Day one leans indie-pop into rap by night. Lorde closes the main stage at 8:30, opposite the tail end of Baby Keem(7:30–8:30). That’s your first big call: polished pop spectacle or Keem’s high-energy set.
Earlier, things get messy in a good way. KATSEYE (6:35–7:30) overlaps with Pierce the Veil (5:30–6:30) bleed, and The Beths (6:00–7:00) sit right in between. Indie fans will feel that pinch.
Midday conflicts are lighter, but The Dare (4:00–4:45) vs. Arcy Drive (3:30–4:15) creates a small fork in the road.
If you’re pacing yourself, the cleanest run is late afternoon into Mariah the Scientist (4:45–5:30), then pick your lane.
Saturday, June 6
Saturday is the most chaotic on paper. Stray Kids headline at 8:30, directly after Kali Uchis (7:30–8:30). That transition is smooth if you stay put.
The real trouble hits earlier. Major Lazer (6:30–7:30) collides with Blood Orange (5:30–6:30) and the start of Amyl and the Sniffers (7:30–8:30). Dancehall vs. alt-R&B vs. punk. Pick a mood and commit.
Mid-card is stacked with clashes: Ravyn Lenae (4:00–4:45) overlaps with Jane Remover (3:30–4:15), and Snow Strippers (4:45–5:30) runs right into Wet Leg (4:45–5:30). That last one is a true coin flip, two buzzy acts at the exact same time.
Sunday, June 7
Sunday might be the strongest day top to bottom. A$AP Rocky closes at 8:45, opposite the end of JENNIE (7:45–8:45) and Freddie Gibbs & The Alchemist (7:45–8:45). That’s the toughest final hour of the weekend.
The lead-up is just as tight. Dominic Fike (6:45–7:45) overlaps with Clipse (5:45–6:45) and Hot Mulligan (6:15–7:15). Three different crowds, same window.
Earlier, Japanese Breakfast (4:00–4:45) and Holly Humberstone (3:15–4:00) form a nice back-to-back if you stay mobile, but Between Friends (2:30–3:15) cuts into that flow.
The takeaway
Friday is manageable. Saturday is conflict-heavy. Sunday is stacked late.
If you hate missing songs, plan short splits. If you want full sets, accept you’ll miss something big. That’s part of the deal, and honestly, half the fun.
Festivals
PNE Summer Night Concerts Announce 2026 Lineup
Vancouver’s summer concert calendar is locking into place. The annual Summer Night Concerts are set to return to the Pacific National Exhibition from August 22 through September 7, bringing live music back to one of the city’s biggest seasonal events.
This year carries a bit more weight than usual. The series will debut at the brand-new Freedom Mobile Arch, a 10,000-seat outdoor amphitheatre built for large-scale performances. The venue promises better sightlines, improved sound, and a more immersive setup for fans. It’s a major shift for the fair, which spent much of last year dealing with construction that limited its footprint and contributed to a drop in attendance.
Now, with the full site back in action, organizers are aiming for a reset. The 2026 lineup leans into that idea, mixing legacy acts with newer names across genres like rock, pop, hip-hop, and electronic.
Headliners include Blue Rodeo, The Guess Who, The Beaches, Nelly, and Zedd, alongside artists like Mt. Joy, Train, and Barenaked Ladies. Special performances include Cynthia Erivo backed by the Vancouver Symphony Orchestra, as well as appearances from Punjabi Virsa, Weird Al Yankovic, Earth, Wind & Fire, Pierce the Veil, Sarah McLachlan, and Boy George & Culture Club.
The full schedule runs nightly:
- Aug. 22: Blue Rodeo
- Aug. 23: The Guess Who
- Aug. 25: The Beaches
- Aug. 26: Nelly
- Aug. 27: Zedd
- Aug. 28: Mt. Joy
- Aug. 29: Cynthia Erivo with VSO
- Aug. 30: Punjabi Virsa
- Sept. 1: Train
- Sept. 2: Barenaked Ladies
- Sept. 3: Weird Al Yankovic
- Sept. 4: Earth, Wind & Fire
- Sept. 5: Pierce the Veil
- Sept. 6: Sarah McLachlan
- Sept. 7: Boy George & Culture Club
Tickets start at $49 plus fees and include admission to the PNE Fair. Presale began April 19, with general on-sale launching April 20 through TicketLeader.
New venue, full fairgrounds, and a lineup that leans both nostalgic and current. After a quieter year, the PNE looks ready to feel busy again.