My attempt to wade through, and make sense of, Toronto’s first camping festival’s lineup
On 10 February 2015, the GTA’s worst kept secret was finally released into the public domain. The town of Barrie, or as hipsters call it, Oro-Medonte, will be hosting the area’s first camping music festival. Headliners Sam Smith, Kendrick Lamar, and Alt-J were billed as the headliners that will drive crowds to WayHome over the weekend of 24 July. Hozier, St. Vincent, Run the Jewels, and Alvvays join a host of other indie, hip-hop, EDM, and alternative artists for what is sure to be one of the area’s biggest events of the summer.
Now that I’ve had a couple weeks to digest the lineup, and reassess my bank account, it seems worthwhile to at least consider a trip to WayHome. With over forty bands confirmed, and another forty reportedly yet to be announced, I would think there will be more than enough going on to at least keep me busy for a weekend. The lineup at first glance looked like a mix of the over-poppy and the under-alternative but the more I go over it, the more I’m finding I like. I suppose it’s best to start at the top, and work my way down.
When I first heard Sam Smith’s “Stay with Me” it was on a radio show that was contrasting a clip of the song with Tom Petty’s “Don’t Back Down.” Apparently, Tom Petty was listening to the same show (or at least…he heard Smith’s song), because he contacted Smith and is now collecting royalty checks off the hit. Fortunately for Sam, sharing the glory on who actually wrote the song hasn’t stopped the hit’s meteoric rise to fame. Shot to the top primarily by the screams of teenage girls, Smith certainly does have the talent and fan base to justify his spot at the top of WayHome. With a solid hit in “Latch” and some passable hits with “Restart” and “I’m not the Only One,” there may be enough here to keep me entertained, but I can’t see myself navigating those crowds. I guess I’d have to watch this one from the back.
I’ve been aware of Kendrick Lamar’s music for some time, but haven’t listened to him in any serious capacity since an initial listen-through of Good Kid, Maad City when it was released. In that time, Lamar has come into his own as a rapper and hip-hop cultural force, bringing his reputation to a new level on the back of the recent release “The Blacker the Berry.” To be honest, I wasn’t blown away by Lamar’s flagship album. It was definitely innovative, but hip-hop has slowed down so much that I sometimes find it hard to stay tuned in. There’s still certainly enough to look forward to in a Kendrick Lamar concert, and I’ve known “A.D.H.D.” since it came out a few years ago, so seeing that song performed live would be pretty cool. It seems like the potential for this show is pretty decent overall.
The last headliners are certainly the ones that intrigue me the most. Though Alt-J is about twice as poppy and only half as alternative as I’m sure they’d like us to believe, they’re still one of the most interesting bands on today’s pop charts. After a successful debut with An Awesome Wave, the band cemented their reputation with 2014’s This is All Yours. The album, which features hits “Hunger of the Pine,” “Every Other Freckle,” and catchy single “Left Hand Free,” is a refreshing blend of alternative and electronic music. Though by no means an upbeat style of music, Alt-J have crafted their niche within the industry without the need for loud, pulsing beats backing every track. A talented band with a unique musical style, I can certainly see the value in checking their sound out for myself.
Going down the list, WayHome seems at its strongest in its second tier of acts. Modest Mouse are established veterans, and Hozier, though only really known for their hit “Take Me to Church,” are a refined enough act to keep crowds entertained. Bassnectar is a passable choice for the lead EDM act, though having a DJ who made his name in dubstep leading the charge seems slightly out of touch to me. Working through the rest of the second tier, the Decemberists, Passion Pit, St. Vincent, Girl Talk, Vance Joy, Future Islands, and the Sheepdogs are all definitely interesting and talented enough to be worth a watch. Packed with bands with solid reputations and fan bases, the meat of WayHome’s lineup is very impressive. Though it doesn’t boast any acts I’m particularly passionate about, a trip to WayHome could be the best way to find a new favourite.
Working through the rest of the lineup, the occasional name stands out. Walk the Moon, Cold War Kids, and the Royal Alberta Advantage have been recommended to me several times. Odesza and Kaytranada are sure to put on huge shows, and Canadian favourites Hey Rosetta!, Sloan, and new industry darlings Alvvays are sure to put on great sets for what will be a majority CanCon crowd. I have to say I’m disappointed that I’m not seeing more local acts playing the festival, but there are quite a few names I don’t recognize, so perhaps there’s some I have yet to discover. Also, with more names to be announced, I think it’s fair to hold out hope that Canadian musicians will end up being the driving force for what will be one of the country’s biggest festivals of the summer.
Having looked at the WayHome list a few times now, and with my thoughts all out on paper (errr…word document), I have to say this festival looks pretty good overall. I’m certainly not blown away; the lack of Canadian acts, established veteran musicians, and musical diversity are all noticeable disappointments. However, with solid headliners, impressive depth, and a number of intriguing and unique acts to see, WayHome has definitely done enough to merit a visit. It seems it’s time to get my ticket, think about whether I actually want to camp an hour from my house, and start looking forward to summer!