Rockfest, Sonic Field Day reveal line-ups at Edmonton’s best outdoor venue
It looks like Hawrelak Park’s Heritage Amphitheatre is going to be Music Festival Central in Edmonton this summer.
Two local music festivals revealed their line-ups on Monday – including Sonic Field Day, a newcomer to what many fans consider the city’s best outdoor venue. It’s not too big, not too small, great sightlines all around, and a big tent if it rains.
The Edmonton Rock Festival has been there since it started. Topping the bill this year, Aug. 16-17, will be Rick Springfield, Greg Kihn, and Tommy Tutone – classic rock heroes all. There’s a strong Canadian contingent, with Haywire (active again after a long hiatus), along with The Pursuit of Happiness (ditto), Wide Mouth Mason (ditto, top picture), Darby Mills, Sloan, Odds, and more.
Advance tickets are $65 for the Friday, $90 for Saturday, $140 for the weekend, and go on sale Monday, April 29 through edrocks.ca – plus paper hard copies at Myhre’s Music and the Acoustic Music Shop.
Meanwhile, headlining this year’s downsized Sonic Field Day event Sept. 7-8 will be The Glorious Sons (right), July Talk, and the Sam Roberts Band. There’s a solid bench that includes PUP, The Beaches, Said the Whale, grandson, The Blue Stones, The Treble, Birds of Bellwoods, Hannah Georgas, U.S. Girls, Oshun, and Michael Rault (son of Lionel) – a mix of established and up-and-coming alternative rock artists currently supported by Sonic 102.9 FM radio. It’s kind of a promotional festival for the station.
Single day tickets are $59.50, $99.50 for a two-day pass, and go on sale April 26.
Other upcoming events at the Heritage Amphitheatre include the Freewill Shakespeare Festival June 18-July 14, Interstellar Rodeo July 26-28, The Edmonton Blues Festival Aug. 23-25, and Symphony Under the Sky Aug 29-Sept. 1.
