Wind Down Your Summer With Rifflandia in Victoria

It’s here! We finally made it. The festival season is under way and 2016 is shaping up to be the busiest one yet for the staff at DMNW. South of the border, we recently invaded EDC & Paradiso and there’s still plenty more to come before the end of summer!

Meanwhile, across the 49^th parallel, the team in BC has been busy preparing themselves for the bass-filled feasts that are about to take place. With a couple warm ups already under our belts, DMNW is set to tackle Bass Coast this upcoming weekend before we hit the home stretch to Shambhala.

And while all this will undoubtedly fulfill our desire for all things dance, we all know summer isn’t over at the end of August, right? Right. So instead of wallowing in self pity waiting for your favorite season to return, make your way to the island community of Victoria, home of Rifflandia – the last official festival of the summer.

Photo: Matt Urquhart Photography

Entering into their 9^th year of operation at the hands of the amazing team at Atomique Productions, Rifflandia blends an eclectic mix of musical talent spanning multiple genres while incorporating even more venues in and around downtown to provide an experience you won’t find anywhere else.

During the day, festival goers can enjoy the temperate west coast summer weather at Royal Athletic Park, where two stages tower over the grounds littered with local shops, craft beer and cider vendors, food trucks, and interactive activities for attendees of all ages! After 10pm, the festival moves to downtown and spreads itself over 12 venues – each with its own unique appeal. Venues like Alix Goolden Hall and the Metro Theatre provide completely different experiences from a nightclub like Sugar, or outdoor stages like the Phillips Backyard.

Photo: Keri Coles Photography

This year’s lineup features some truly legendary acts from the world of hip-hop, including Jurassic 5, De La Soul, Lee Scratch Perry, Michael Franti & Spearhead, The Beatnuts, and Del the Funky Homosapien. Other headliners include Band of Skulls, Keys N’ Krates, Charles Bradley, Shane Koyczan, and perhaps the most interesting booking we’ve seen this summer, Prozzäk. Yes, this Prozzäk.

Of course, what would Rifflandia be without a showcase of the best the West Coast has to offer? Aside from the stacked lineup of international flavor, you can also discover some of BC’s most talented musicians if you haven’t already. Jesse Roper defines what rock & roll is all about, while our recently interviewed friends from Illvis Freshly will be opening up the festival with their original brand of party rockin’ beats! Still want more? Pigeon Hole, Bryx, Grossbuster, and Akela & Tedder are just a few of the names you may recognize from the scene on BC’s coast, plus over 100 more artists for your listening pleasure.

Multiple ticket options are still available, including individual day or night passes, park only passes, night only passes, super passes, and the VIP pass. We highly recommend picking up a VIP pass solely for the fact you don’t have to wait in line to go to the bathroom. But it also gets you access to more drink options, free finger foods, and front of the line privileges at any night show; something that comes in handy when a venue only has a 150 person capacity.

View the lineup in its entirety below, and make sure to purchase your tickets while you still have options available! With over 100 artists, 14 venues, and the tail end of a beautiful BC summer, trust us when we say you couldn’t find a better way to wind down the season than at Rifflandia.

In the meantime, enjoy what’s in store over the next couple months and if you happen to see any of the DMNW team at a festival this summer, make sure to come say hi and give us a hug! See ya on the dance floor!