City Square Stage 2024
Fri. June 28th
8:15pm BC Fiddle Orchestra Daniel Lapp brings along the shining stars of his fiddle orchestra just to make us go ‘wow’
Sat. June 29th
8:15pm Soul Source trombonist Nick LaRiviere has put together a 20 piece community R&B band with singers, horns, and rhythm section filled with young, fresh Victoria musicians –performing the music of Sister Sledge, Michael Jackson, Aretha Franklin and more – designed to encourage crowds of people dancing
Sun. June 30th
8:15pm Diana Braithwaite / Chris Whiteley multiple Maple Blues Awards nominations and wins to their names they bring acoustic styled blues delivered in the finest of musical fashion with Rik Rice on bass, James McRae on drums and Shakey Reay sitting on some tunes with his harmonicas
Mon. July 1st
8:15pm Ryan McMahon Trio ‘he has carved out an almost 20-year career as an independent artist in Canada’s vibrant music scene, a genre fence sitter, hanging out on the edges of country just enough to say he isn’t, Ryan is both a whisper and a scream’
Wed. July 3rd
7:30pm Malakai having just turned 15 he is amazing many audiences wherever he performs- his songwriting skills are taking shape and his vocals and multi instrumental abilities are shining brightly- born and raised in the valley
8:30pm Braden Gates drawing from the poignant and ironic sensations that occur throughout his working day, he focuses his lyrical imagination into a journal of character sketches - full of wit and wisdom, folksy charm and sharp observations, Gates’ compositions are relevant and, strangely, very rooted in 2016 —even if he plays that fiddle and picks that guitar like an artist three times his age.’
Thurs. July 4th
8:15pm The Steadies Earl Pereira, a founding member and bass player/vocalist of a popular and multi awarded Canadian band (Wide Mouth Mason) he co wrote and sang most of the hits, brings his energetic and worldly stage presence to his infectious roots/reggae/rock band known as The Steadies – your spirit will be uplifted no matter who you are and you will want to dance
Fri. July 5th
8:15pm Great Divide the music of the Band- a part of many people’s lives is reproduced exceptionally well by musicians that were affected by the great tunage created- quite a wonderful evening it will be
Sat. July 6th
8:15pm Marimba Muzuva one develops a love for marimba music, it moves your soul and your body, yes, dancing is something you will want to do so come prepared to let yourself randomly bust out some outrageous cool dance moves
Sun. July 7th
8:15pm David Vest / Terry Robb – David, a multi award winner, the original boogie-woogie starchild rockin' and shoutin' the blues since 1957, comes to Duncan along with his stateside pal acoustic blues guitarist extraordinaire Terry Robb- they recently recorded an LP due out in Oct. at the Duncan Showroom
Mon. July 8th
8:15pm Bu VonBlume from Cumberland BC, a six piece, horn driven, crazy interactive, all original funk, punk, disco, ska, cumbia, reggae whatever-as-long-as-it’s-dancy - super fun-time outer space band.
Wed. July 10th
7:30pm Tai Williams this young local singer –songwriter has a few festivals booked this year as she spreads her wings and soars as she should to let more audience appreciate her musical journey
8:30pm Ty Koch with Nico Rhodes a young singer from the mainland that must be heard performs a variety of musical genres exceptionally well including blues, rock, crooner and classical music accompanied by the great Nico Rhodes on keyboard
Fri. July 12th
8:15pm "The Beat Goes On" (a Wrecking Crew celebration) the west coast had a musical team known as the Wrecking Crew and they performed on more records than you will ever imagine - yes, you have heard them and didn’t know their importance to the rock’n’roll scene till now- there are so many hits that they were the sound of and tonite you will find out how many
Sat. July 13th
8:15pm Completely Creedence Band whether you're a long-time CCR enthusiast, fan or a newcomer to their music, Completely Creedence will guarantee a memorable and authentic performance that will transport you back to the golden era of rock 'n' roll.
Sun. July 14th
8:15pm Jeff Plankenhorn for Jeff, there's nothing quite like the feeling of bringing people together to experience the joy music brings - he's so good at it that he's been recognized with Austin Music Award nominations for Musician of the Year, Best Guitarist, and Best Misc. Instrument - for “The Plank” a hybrid lap steel guitar Jeff designed himself. In 2016-2017, he also earned Album and Song of the Year nominations for his album, SoulSlide, and the single "Trouble Find Me." - not his first time to the valley and for sure not his last
Mon. July 15th
8:15pm Patsy Cline Tribute says it all, the great Patsy Cline is a part of the North American country/pop culture and these musicians pay proper homage - an American country music singer whose talent and wide-ranging appeal made her one of the classic performers of the genre bridging the gap between country music and more mainstream audiences.
Tues. July 16th
8:15pm Flavia Nascimento with Tio Chorinho the first ensemble in Canada dedicated to performing choro music, the "New Orleans jazz of Brazil." Exciting, intimate, nostalgic and virtuosic, choro is an infectious urban folk style whose universal appeal belies its musical complexity
Wed. July 17th
7:30pm Maryna Krut a renowned Ukrainian singer and songwriter -sole innovator of bandura (Ukrainian traditional string instrument) in the soul genre - a unique combination of atmospheric voice and extraordinary musical elegance of bandura - she is performing at major folk festivals across Canada this year as well as ours
8:30pm David Essig over the years, a veteran of many folk festivals in Canada, he remains relevant with his songwriting and still can walk us into his vast past repertoire – an acoustic musical treat for sure
Thurs. July 18th
6pm-8pm Farmers Market the city square on the third Thursday of each month becomes home to the famous Saturday Farmers Market – complete with entertainment - make sure you stroll thru
Fri. July 19th
8:15pm Whiskey River needed some country music in the schedule this year and these guys pull out the many great country hits from years gone by to the present, with a passion
Sat. July 20th
8:15pm B’boon presents London Calling the british rock invasion was part of our musical history-the Clash / The Who / The Kinks /The Jam and the following New Wave Invasion with B'boon, the hardest rocking band on the West Coast!
Sun. July 21st
8:15pm Sarah Smith a cult legend as part of the proto-Punk band, The Joys, Smith began to forge her own path in the 2010s, with this risk affirmed by both critical acclaim and adoration from fans across Canada, and abroad in the United States and Europe -everyone witnessing a Sarah Smith performance feels a kinship and can readily identify with her feelings, experiences, heartaches and joys- a glimpse into Sarah’s personal journey as a human, as an artist, as she navigates through the peaks and valleys of her life.
Mon. July 22nd
8:15pm Steph Strings San Remo-Melbourne based singer-songwriter who tells a story through her music - with influences from the John Butler Trio, Tash Sultana and Ziggy Alberts, Steph's musical style entails bursts of percussion alongside Celtic, blues and coastal fingerstyle indie-rock.
Tues. July 23
8:15pm Islands Folk Festival ‘best of the fest’ - a treat from the Cowichan Folk Guild to show appreciation for the support they receive from the audiences of Duncan - sharing an act that performed at the IFF this year
Wed. July 24th
7:30pm Miss Emily “an angelic voice with just a hint of sultry devilishness. This gal is a rocket ready to take-off!” · (The Tragically Hip) - multi Maple Blues Award winner, she comes to the 39 Days of July - quite the blues singer - with Kelly Fawcett on guitar
8:30pm Brandon Isaak and the Mood Swings Juno nominee 20243 / 4 Maple Blues Awards nominations 2024, this gentle man from the Yukon is a must witness blues man - and can he lead a band
Thurs. July 25th
8:15pm Downtown Mischief this 7 piece band is from Victoria, “part funk, part jazz, part rhymin' Downtown Mischief comes thru Slidin'!”... a driving, pulsing machine that explodes with life on, always a dancing hit at our past festivals, bringing their freshness and exuberance back to the valley
Fri. July 26th
8:15pm Clay Pigeons a 5 member acoustic band who originally formed to pay homage to some of the finest songwriters of the modern Americana genre such as John Prine, Townes Van Zandt, Blaze Foley, Guy Clark, Iris Dement, Lyle Lovett, to name a few - add in the bands on stage rapport and relaxed humour, this is definitely a heartwarming and emotionally charged show that you will not want to miss
Sat. July 27th
8:15pm South Island Rhythm Kings time to dance to some boogie blues and these guys know how to deliver - Maple Blues Awards nominee 2023
Sun. July 28th
8:15pm Mostly Motown - Kelly Fawcett has gathered a wonderful tribute to Motown once again with Tina Jones on vocals and with a stellar line up of band members
Mon. July 29th
8:15pm Kim Churchill an Australian folk, rock, and blues singer, songwriter, and musician – vocals, guitar, harmonica, percussion - mesmerizing performer
Tues. July 30th Big Easy Funk Ensemble- once again, from Vancouver, BEFE makes you think Mardis Gras with a 7 piece (horns included ) band celebrating the amazing variety of music that has grown out of New Orleans –
Wed. July 31st
7:30pm Dennis Atkins – his songwriting in a genre known as roots country / folk is superb and his vocal deliveries suit the writing- considered a local now (transported from rural Manitoba) he needs to be heard
8:30pm Paul Pigat one of the most restless, combustible musical imaginations ever crammed like so much canned heat into a single body, blessed with a jazz man’s sheen, a rockabilly heart and a hobo’s soul, there are not many genres of music that don’t pull at Pigat’s wayfaring imagination like a magnet...a do not miss show
Thurs. Aug. 1st
8:15pm Daring Greatly From the heart of Calgary, Alberta, ( now San Diego) Daring Greatly stands out with their unique blend of rock and country, crafting a sound that's both fresh and deeply moving. The Croome brothers, Patrick and Liam, along with drummer Brayden Tario, bring powerful 3-part harmonies and masterful arrangements that define their distinct sound. Their music, celebrated for its originality and emotional depth, has garnered widespread acclaim
Fri. Aug. 2nd
8:15pm Bandidos from Mexico, they toured BC last year and won praise wherever they performed and so this year they are part of the 39 Days of July.- very danceable cover tunes
Sat. Aug. 3rd
8:15pm Nautical Disaster they do their damndest to sound just like the original material. they jam regularly to stay tight on the songs and gel as a group, so when their lead singer gets going on a lengthy improvised rant on the outro to "Looking for a place to happen" the band can just keep things rolling seamlessly. The frontman has some big shoes to fill, but the Gord above is smiling because Ryan does a good job
Sun. Aug. 4th
8:15pm Rainshadow AL Band what great vibes this band produces in their choice of reggae / latin / Santana / pop rock and funk covers (occasional original)– you will leave this evening that much richer in spirit because of these 7 musicians – be prepared to be on the dance floor