Thanksgiving weekend was the perfect time to reflect on the wonders of Edmonton’s music scene … courtesy of the second annual Up + Downtown Music & Arts Festival. The three-day festival, with more than 50 acts at nine venues, was an embarrassment of riches — including expat Homeshake, who used to play guitar for Mac DeMarco, Faunts, and my new favourites, Switches, who were joined by guest tambourinist Miss Mannered (pictured above).
The garage rockers will release the digital version of their nine-song album, i just wanna, on Nov. 4. (The LP comes out Dec. 21.) Listen to the first track, 15 beers, via Bandcamp.
UP+DT’s executive director Jason Flammia, by the way, says this year’s festival — which also featured Guelph’s reunited Constantines, Red Fang, Small Black — doubled its attendance over the inuagural edition.
Homeshake, a.k.a. Peter Sagar, lit up The ARTery with his warped R&B tunes, often cradling the microphone in his hand like he was slow dancing with a lover.
Edmonton’s Faunts unveiled some new meditative and melodic dream-rock songs at McDougall United Church.
Constantines, featuring Steve Lambke, Doug MacGregor, Bry Webb and Dallas Wehrle, wrapped up their reunion tour at the Starlite Room.
