Festivals
Redwest Festival 2025 Recap & Photos
Redwest Country Music Festival 2025 took over Salt Lake City October 10–12, and from the second gates opened, it was clear: this was the country lineup of the fall. Fans showed up early, boots laced and voices warmed, ready to scream every lyric for three straight days.
Friday kicked off under calm skies. The warm-up acts: Noah Rinker, Willow Avalon, Waylon Wyatt, Ella Langley, each earned their moment under the lights, warming up the crowd and proving the undercard was no afterthought. Then Kacey Musgraves headlined, and she delivered exactly what people came for: a polished set that leaned as much on atmosphere as it did on hits. The Utah crowd seemed transfixed, swaying in unity under a sky brushed with pink dusk. She managed to turn the fairground into an ethereal dream.
By Saturday, things went sideways. Lightning storms rolled in, thunder cracking overhead, forcing organizers to cancel large portions of the day, Post Malone included. Chaos overtook the stage: a scramble for safety, tents shredded by wind, mud mixing with despair. Fans huddled under makeshift cover, drenched and heartbroken. The mood shifted fast, from hype to heartbreak, in a matter of minutes.
Amid that disaster, though, there was a deeper blow: a 23-year-old concertgoer named Ava Ahlander was killed in a freak accident during the evacuation. A plank from nearby scaffolding, likely torn loose by gale winds, struck her as she sought shelter near her car. She later died from her injuries. The tragedy cast a long shadow over the festival, reminding everyone how fragile these moments can be.
And then Sunday came to save the story. The skies cleared. The ground dried (mostly). The crowd, starved for something to believe in, came back.
The Band Perry hit the stage and owned it, nostalgia, power vocals, and a crowd that sang so loudly it practically became a backing track. The energy felt huge, and everyone knew the weekend was just getting started. They even did a surprise cover of Chappell Roan’s “Pink Pony Club” and cowboys and girls went wild.
The crowd starved for redemption and the festival roared back to life. Avery Anna and Sam Barber not only debuted a brand-new song, but they also delivered a massive crowd moment during “Indigo”.
By the time Noah Kahan closed out the night with his own set, Redwest was fully resurrected. Every song was a sing-along. Every lyric echoed back at him. Then, Avery Anna walks on stage. Together, they delivered a breathtaking duet of “If We Were Vampires,” and suddenly the entire festival felt intimate, as thousands of people silently took it in before screaming the last chorus.
The storm may have wrecked Saturday, but Sunday made everyone forget, proving the right lineup and the right crowd can still turn chaos into magic.
Boots muddy, hearts full. Redwest, we’ll be back next year!
Check out our favorite photos of the festival below or head to our Facebook page for the full galleries of Friday, Saturday, and Sunday!
FRIDAY
Kacey Musgraves
Ella Langley
Waylon Wyatt
Willow Avalon
Noah Rinker
SATURDAY
Ole 60
Ty Myers
Hudson Westbrook
Cameron Whitcomb
Sons Of Habit
SUNDAY
Noah Kahan
Sam Barber
Avery Anna
The Band Perry
Vincent Mason
Braxton Keith
Jonah Kagen
All Photo Credit: Colin Hancock
Festivals
Phillips Backyard Music Festival – Day 1 Recap & Photos
The first day of Phillips Backyard Music Festival wasted no time getting into the music. Gates opened in the late afternoon, and fans steadily filled the grounds as the opening artists took the stage. With two stages running throughout the evening, there was always something happening, whether festivalgoers were catching a familiar act on the Main Stage or discovering someone new on the Music BC Stage.
Dacey opened the Main Stage and immediately set a positive tone for the weekend. There is always a challenge in being the first performer of a festival, but the crowd responded well as people filtered in with drinks in hand and found spots on the lawn. Over on the Music BC Stage, Bukola delivered an engaging set that showed exactly why she continues to build a strong following in British Columbia. Her soulful vocals stood out from the start and held the audience’s attention throughout her performance.
As the evening moved along, Nicky MacKenzie and Mikey Jose kept the energy moving before Cartel Madras took over the Main Stage. The Calgary duo brought one of the day’s most intense performances. Their stage presence demanded attention, and the audience responded with loud cheers throughout the set. They never let the pace slow down, making them one of the clear highlights of the afternoon.
Blush followed on the Music BC Stage with a polished indie rock performance before Duckwrth stepped onto the Main Stage as the sun began to set. His mix of hip-hop, funk, and rock translated perfectly to the outdoor setting. He spent much of the set moving across the stage, interacting with the crowd and feeding off their enthusiasm. By this point, the festival grounds were packed, and it was clear the audience was ready for the night’s headliner.
Chance the Rapper closed out opening day with a confident performance as one of hip-hop’s strongest live performers. His set balanced newer material with fan favourites, giving longtime listeners plenty of moments to sing along. He controlled the stage from beginning to end without relying on flashy production to keep the audience engaged. Instead, his personality and connection with the crowd carried the show.
The first day established exactly what Phillips Backyard does well. The schedule moved smoothly between established artists and emerging talent, giving every performer a chance to shine. Fans moved freely between both stages, sampled local food and Phillips Brewing beer, and settled into an atmosphere that felt relaxed without losing the excitement that comes with live music. It was a strong opening to the weekend and set high expectations for the two days that followed.
Check out our favourite photos of the day below or head to our Facebook page for the full gallery!
CHANCE THE RAPPER
DUCKWORTH
BLUSH
CARTEL MADRAS
MIKEY JOSE
NICKY MACKENZIE
BUKOLA
DACEY
FESTIVAL
All Photo Credit: Kelli Rothwell
Festivals
FIFA Fan Festival™ Vancouver – Dallas Smith
The FIFA Fan Festival™ at PNE kept the excitement rolling on July 11, as football and live music once again proved to be a winning combination in Vancouver. With two FIFA World Cup quarterfinals on the schedule, thousands of fans packed the festival throughout the day before sticking around for another evening of Canadian music.
Earlier in the afternoon, England secured its place in the semi-finals with a victory over Norway, setting the stage for an even bigger showdown later in the day. That match delivered plenty of drama, as Argentina defeated Switzerland to book a semi-final meeting with England. The final whistle sparked loud celebrations around the festival grounds, with Argentine supporters waving flags, chanting, and soaking in the moment before the evening concerts began.
As the football excitement settled, attention shifted to the Amphitheatre Stage, where Dallas Smith closed out the day’s musical lineup. One of Canada’s biggest country stars, Smith had no trouble keeping the energy high after an emotional afternoon of football. Fans packed tightly around the stage, singing along from the opening song and matching his enthusiasm throughout the set. Smith’s mix of country hits and rock-influenced sound made for a perfect festival performance.
The day also featured performances from DJ Sherry Freeze, The Matinee, The Heels, and Blue Moon Marquee, giving visitors plenty to enjoy between the two quarterfinal matches.
Check out our favourite photos of the night below or head to our Facebook page for the full gallery!
DALLAS SMITH
ARGENTINA FANS
All Photo Credit: