Mark this down in your calendar folks: Sunday, August 9th 2009. It’s the 10th Annual Burnaby Blues & Roots Festival at Deer Lake Park. Now as a 26 year old with an older soul when it comes to music I am really looking forward to this event… but even if you haven’t listened to much blues or roots music in the past I recommend you come to the festival anyways, you wont be disappointed.
I’m not one of those music know it all’s who tries to tell everyone who they should listen to and why. I don’t pretend to know the origin of where most styles of music came from. And I believe that no matter how crappy I think a group is (Pussycat Dolls) I have no right to tell you what you are allowed to enjoy. However, in my opinion (and it’s only my opinion) I feel that blues and roots should at least be given some credit as the basis for a lot of the music that is popular today. Take The White Stripes, The Black Keys, The Black Crowes, The Raconteurs… I guess any band with the word “The” in it, they all have a blues & roots feel to the music they create, and a lot of people who enjoy that music today don’t realize where it all came from. So if you like any of those bands, are just a lover of live music, or want a bit of an education on where rock music originated from this should be a concert you will enjoy.
The festival is Sunday, although there will be artists preforming at different venues around Burnaby on Friday and Saturday as it has been extended to a 3 day event of sorts. The artists include Rich Hope, Keb Mo, JJ Grey and Mofro, Sharon Jones and the Dap Kings, and the headliner Smokey Robinson. If you haven’t been to Deer Lake before it has a beautiful natural amphitheater with a lake nestled behind the stage. The City of Burnaby and BC government have recently put a combined 1.7 million into making it a premier outdoor venue.
Tickets are only $45 for the day and this is the type of festival you can take your kids or parents to without worry of a “sketchy” crowd being around. Hope to see you there!
Cheers!
jordenf
Filed under: day in the life, events, music | Tagged: burnaby blues & roots festival, deer lake park, jj grey & mofro, keb mo, rich hope, sharon jones, smokey robinson
