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: The National (June 4th and 5th 2016 at Fort York & Garrison Common)

The National is an American indie rock band from Cincinnati, Ohio, formed in 1999. Currently based in Brooklyn, the band consists of Matt Berninger (vocals), Aaron Dessner (guitar, keyboards), Bryce Dessner (guitar), Scott Devendorf (bass) and Bryan Devendorf (drums).

Founded by Berninger, Scott and Bryan Devendorf, and Aaron Dessner, the National released their self-titled debut album, The National (2001), on Brassland Records, an independent record label founded by Dessner and his twin brother, Bryce. Bryce Dessner, who had assisted in recording the album, soon joined as a full member, participating in the recording of its follow-up, Sad Songs for Dirty Lovers (2003).

Leaving behind their day jobs, the National signed with Beggars Banquet Records and released their third studio album, Alligator (2005), to widespread critical acclaim. The band’s fourth and fifth studio albums, Boxer (2007) and High Violet (2010), increased their exposure significantly. In 2013, the band released its sixth studio album, Trouble Will Find Me. It was nominated in the 2014 Grammys for Best Alternative Album.

Four of the band’s albums were included on NME’s 2013 list of the 500 greatest albums of all time.

Catch The National at Field Trip on June 4th and 5th 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 & EXPO ANNOUNCE TORONTO 2014 LINE-UP (SEPTEMBER 6-7 AT DOWNSVIEW PARK)

RIOT FEST & EXPO ANNOUNCES TORONTO 2014 LINE-UP (SEPTEMBER 6-7 AT DOWNSVIEW PARK)

Well if last summer was any indication; Riot Fest was the best summer festival that swept through our woods in 2013.  For an out of towner American festival it brought pure punk rock and the ambience. The Canadians loved the neighbourly musical love and we left wanting more!

Just announced today, Riot Fest will be bringing their travelling Expo to Downsview Park from September 6^th and 7^th with the likes of City and Colour, Metric, The National, Billy Talent, Rise Against, The Flaming Lips, Social Distortion, Death Cab for Cutie, Death from Above 1979, Brand New, Paul Weller, AWOLNATION, Stars, The Head and the Heart, Dropkick Murphys, Die Antwoord, Tokyo Police Club, The New Pornographers, Taking Back Sunday, Bring Me the Horizon, The Afghan Whigs, Alkaline Trio, Glassjaw, Bob Mould, Thurston Moore, Buzzcocks, Clutch, New Found Glory, Circa Survive, Manchester Orchestra, Lucero, Title Fight, Bad Suns, Citizen, Lemuria, Mounties, PUP, Nostalghia, Radkey, Rubblebucket, Pentimento, Broncho, The Hotelier, Laura Stevenson, The Beaches, Somos, Restorations, Say Yes, Seaway, Wounds, Little Big League, & More to be announced…

Really?  With this type of decadence – maybe Rob Ford will take up Riot Fest’s invitation and show up after all!  Fingers crossed.

The new Downsview Park location marks a significant expansion for the festival, allowing its patrons to enjoy a weekend packed with music across four stages and a full carnival atmosphere.

Riot Fest has become a premiere festival series that attracts music lovers of all ages from all over the world. Last year, Riot Fest Toronto delivered an incredible line up of homegrown and international artists, including the historic reunion of seminal Minneapolis punk band The Replacements, banding together to play Riot Fest after over two decades away.  Unified by a love of great bands and good fun, fans will stuff themselves with everything from carnival corndogs to ethnic and craft food while enjoying rides, attractions, side show performers and the most distinctive line-ups available. Toronto’s fest is something very special to festival organizer and founder, Michael Petryshyn, and he hopes you share his excitement in celebrating the wonderful city and culture of Toronto. “Ever since I was a young kid living in Buffalo, Ontario was a second home to me where I caught my musical bearings and was turned on to everything from The Clash to the Sex Pistols to The Viletones and Diodes. Like I tell everyone, Toronto is one of the greatest cities in the world, from its food to culture, but most importantly, to me, the Toronto bands who’ve created music that matters,” he explained.

Well Riot Fest you have wooed us again – Let’s do this Canucks!

Full link to purchase Riot Fest & Expo Toronto tickets on sale May 10 at 10am EDT:

http://www.ticketfly.com/purchase/event/571321?utm_medium=bks

http://riotfest.org/

Soon to be announced:

Riot Fest & Carnival – Chicago, IL – September 12-14

Riot Fest & Sideshow – Denver, CO – September 19-21