Review: Field Trip 2016 (June 4 & 5, 2016) Toronto, ON at Historic Fort York & Garrison Common

For the past 4 years Arts & Crafts ‘Field Trip’ has being giving us warm sonic vibes to launch us into the summer. If you live in Toronto, you know the winter was extra-long for us this year and there has been an ache to have ‘Field Trip’ 2016 to come to Fort York already!

This year’s music lineup featured headliners The National and Robyn, as well as local favourites July Talk, Basia Bulat and Jazz Cartier.

We love Fort York. It’s a perfectly accessible Toronto location for a festival; it’s on the TTC line and has enough room to watch bands at each stage.  Now come 5 p.m., its gets a tad congested.  The throngs of people navigating between the Garrison Stage (the larger one) to the TD Fort York Stage (the smaller one) always ends in a bottle neck on the path connecting both stages.  Close to the TD Fort York Stage was a drinking lounge, a massive food truck station and a Field Trip Marketplace.  Even though there were line ups for food, washrooms and drink – everything ran smoothly.

There were a number of upgrades from last year’s ‘Field Trip’. The family friendly ‘TD Day Camp’ area for kids and their peeps was immense.  Think a bouncy castle, hula hoops and paper lantern crafting for kids and their families.

One of many things ‘Field Trip’ does well is their nod to local cuisine vs. food trucks. Tucking into the likes of Buster’s Sea Cove, Food Dudes, Thunderin’ Thelma, Fidel Gastro, Portobello, Summertime Lemonade, Rancho Relaxo, The Poutine Supreme, Steel Cut Coffee, Ultimate Concession, Heirloom. Tokyo Smoke, Uncle Smoke, The Flying Chestnut, Curbalicious, Chimney Stax and JP’s BBQ were brimming with hot meals of beauty after long days in the sun.

The Mess Hall with Ivy Knight catered a Watermelon Eating Contest, a Cupcake Decorating Contest and a Create a Casear project. Think delicious, fun and most importantly family friendly.  Field Trip has cornered the market in making sure events on both days are inclusive for everyone no matter what your family looks like.

We had a great chuckle at the Laugh Barracks as the day wound down. Getting out of the sun with your hot drink or a cold one to sit on a chair whilst sharing a chuckle or two was perfect! We loved the snaps from the Analogue Gallery Sound Image Exhibition – it certainly added a different texture to Field Trip 2016.

Fort York is a wonderful home for ‘Field Trip’ and we hope it continues to be. The rustic Canadiana vibe, locals meeting out of towers and familiar soothing tunes as it christens us into the summer’s arms is a big hit!  The detail, love and camaraderie that go into putting on ‘Field Trip’ from the Arts & Crafts crew makes us look forward to 2017.

http://www.fieldtriplife.com/

Field Trip Artist Spotlight: Jazz Cartier (June 4th and 5th 2016 at Fort York & Garrison Common)

Cartier had worked on an early version of Marauding in Paradise as early as 2011, but was not satisfied with the album. After moving back to Toronto, he began working with record producer Michael Lantz, and released his first single “Set Fire” in 2014. Performing in Toronto-area music venues, he quickly attracted attention — his track “Switch” was regularly played at Toronto Raptors games by team DJ 4Korners, and at a Toronto Red Bull Sound Select show in March 2015 he was introduced by celebrity rapper Kardinal Offishall.

Marauding in Paradise was released in April 2015.

Catch Jazz Cartier at Field Trip on June 4^th and 5^th 2016 at Fort York & Garrison Common.

http://www.fieldtriplife.com/

Robyn and The National to headline Field Trip Music & Arts Festival 2016 (Fort York & Garrison Common on Saturday, June 4 and Sunday, June 5, 2016)

Arts & Crafts today announced the lineup for Field Trip Music & Arts Festival 2016, headlined by indie rock band The National and dance pop icon Robyn. The city’s favourite community festival returns to historic Fort York & Garrison Common for its fourth year on Saturday, June 4 and Sunday, June 5. With early Explorer Pass now sold out, Field Trip tickets officially go on sale Monday, February 22 at 10 a.m. EST.

Recognized as the essential boutique music event in Toronto’s very own backyard, the two day showcase of top Canadian and international artists also prides itself in a parade of the city’s top food trucks and culinary pop-ups, as well as a range of collaborative and family friendly programming highlighting art, fashion, technology and more. This year’s diverse lineup features a mix of talent from across genres, including local pop-rockers July Talk, rapper Jazz Cartier, ethereal singer-songwriter Basia Bulat; as well as funk and soul singer Charles Bradley from Brooklyn, New York, dreamy folk band Boy & Bear from Sydney, Australia, and many more.

“There are many amazing festival experiences these days, but we take pride in the intimacy and diversity of Field Trip, and the deep connection we have with the city of Toronto,” Aaron Miller, programming director, Arts & Crafts. “Field Trip has something for all of us, and something new every year.”

2016 will expand on popular Field Trip traditions like the Mess Hall, the Comedy Stage in the Barracks building, and a custom, on site virtual reality experience for the technologically curious of all ages. With free festival admission for children 12 years old and under, 2016 also marks the expansion of Field Trip’s ‘Day Camp’ programming for youth.

Arts & Crafts entrants to 2016 programming include indie rockers Ra Ra Riot, singer-songwriter Tei Shi and Broken Social Scene member Jason Collett.

FIELD TRIP 2016 LINE UP

THE NATIONAL
ROBYN
JULY TALK
SANTIGOLD
OF MONTREAL
DIIV
CHARLES BRADLEY & HIS EXTRAORDINAIRES
JAZZ CARTIER
BOY & BEAR
BASIA BULAT
HOLY FUCK
BULLY
PLANTS & ANIMALS
RA RA RIOT
DEAR ROUGE
JASON COLLETT
TEI SHI
LENNON & MAISY
ELIOT SUMNER
MEG MAC
TOR MILLER
BRAVE SHORES
CHARLOTTE DAY WILSON
MOST PEOPLE
KALLE MATTSON
And more!

Stay tuned for full lineup and programming announcements in the months to come. Ticket prices start at $75 for single day general admission and can be purchased online via FieldTripLife.com, TicketMaster or LiveNation.com. Field Trip is a joint production by Arts & Crafts Productions and Live Nation Canada.

Riot Fest 2015 Spotlight: Tyler, The Creator and Jazz Cartier

Toronto’s Riot Fest & Expo is coming at us fast and furious on September 19 and 20 at Downsview Park. Weezer, The Prodigy, Bleachers, Cancer Bats, Courage My Love, and Ritual join a diverse array of bands previously announced. To top it off, Weezer will play both days of the festival, performing their eponymous debut (known as the Blue Album) one day and Pinkerton on the other. For fans a little tight on budget – Riot Fest brings back its layaway program, with the option to pay ticket costs in several installments during the lead up to the fest.

Tyler, The Creator

Tyler Gregory Okonma, better known by his stage name Tyler, The Creator, was born in Los Angeles, California to a Nigerian father and a mother of African-American and Canadian descent.

Born in Ladera Heights, he rose to prominence as the leader and co-founder of the alternative hip hop collective Odd Future, and has rapped on and produced songs for nearly every Odd Future release. Okonma also creates all the artwork for the group’s releases and said in an interview with radio presenter DJ Semtex, that he designs all the group’s clothing and other merchandise as well. After releasing his debut album Goblin under XL Recordings, in April 2011, he signed a joint venture deal for him and his label Odd Future Records, with RED Distribution and Sony Music Entertainment. Following that he released his second studio album Wolf, which was met with generally positive reviews and debuted at number three on the US Billboard 200 selling 90,000 copies in its first week.

Jazz Cartier

Jazz Cartier is the stage name of Jaye Adams, a Canadian rapper. His debut album Marauding in Paradise was released in April 2015, and was a longlisted nominee for the 2015 Polaris Music Prize.

Cartier had worked on an early version of Marauding in Paradise as early as 2011, but was not satisfied with the album. After moving back to Toronto, he began working with record producer Michael Lantz, and released his first single “Set Fire” in 2014. Performing in Toronto-area music venues, he quickly attracted attention — his track “Switch” was regularly played at Toronto Raptors games by team DJ 4Korners, and at a show in March 2015 he was introduced by fellow Canadian  rapper Kardinal Offishall.

Check out Tyler, The Creator and Jazz Cartier at Toronto’s Riot Fest & Expo!

In previous years, Riot Fest and their partners at Union Events have cultivated lineups that have featured reunions and rare appearances—and 2015 is no exception. Bands such as Drive Like Jehu and Thrice will be making reunion appearances at Riot Fest & Expo. Moreover, rare appearances by Alexisonfire, Echo & The Bunnymen and Motörhead give 2015’s edition its unique feel.

Outside of the announced bands, this year’s festival will also include a circus tent featuring the Hellzapoppin Circus Sideshow Revue, a miniature golf course, a video arcade hall, and a wide array of food and drink options.

Link to purchase Riot Fest & Expo Toronto tickets:

https://www.ticketfly.com/purchase/event/865671?utm_medium=bks

http://riotfest.org/