20 Rifflandia Acts We’re Stoked For!

WORDS: Lauren DeGaine

Have you seen this line-up, people!? Betty & Kora is going to have to figure out time travel in order to catch everything we want to see, because all the artists are incredible! We made a list of sets we’re stoked for, in case you need help with your game-plan. We’ve been prepping for the weekend by listening to Spotify’s Rifflandia 2017 Playlist – it’s awesome. But we’re still working on how to be in two places at once…

Smash Boom Pow (Vancouver) – Alt-Pop/Rock – Thursday 9:30pm Anian Yard

Tickle memories of your late-90’s alt-rock-loving self with this Vancouver duo made up of brothers Ulysses and Zane Coppard.  Their newest single “Way Too Much” is reminiscent of everything awesome about The Vines, but with a more relaxed, West Coast touch.

GRANDTHEFT (Toronto) – Eclectic Bass / Club Music – Thursday 9pm Phillips Backyard

Rifflandia’s ability to bring big-name producers like Grandtheft is part of what makes it one of BC’s premier music events. If Grandtheft’s newest single “Easy Go,” is any indication, prepare yourselves for some feel-good electronic dance music at Phillips Backyard on Thursday night.

Zeds Dead (Toronto) – Cross-Genre Bass Music – Thursday 11pm Phillips Backyard

This is one of the biggest names on Rifflandia’s lineup for electronic music lovers. Zed’s Dead is sure to bring a huge crowd to Phillips Backyard, and we hope to be in it! If you’ve ever wondered what all this bass music stuff is all about, here’s your primer!

The Librarian (Squamish) – Bass Music – Thursday 12:30am Lucky Bar

We’ve got a music-lover’s crush on Bass Coast Music Festival’s co-founder and music curator. This bass babe slays dancefloors left and right with her no-holds-barred track selection filled with all the best deep, dark, grimy bass. Clearly, we can’t get enough!

Five Alarm Funk (Vancouver) – Gypsy-Rock / Afro-Funk / Ska & Punk – Friday 6:45pm Rifftop Tent and Saturday 12:30am Sugar Nightclub

If exhilarating instrumentals is what you seek, look no further than this Vancouver-based 8-piece band. Their Friday set in Royal Athletic Park is sure to get your evening off to a groovy start. With two performances, there’s no excuse to miss this one!

Youngblood (Vancouver) – Pop – Friday 10:30pm Sugar Nightclub

This up-and-coming artist’s pop-with-an-edge has us looking forward to an electric live performance. “Hearts are for feeling,” Youngblood croons on her latest EP, ‘Feel Alright,’ and we believe her! We’re looking forward to all the feels at her set.

SkiiTour (Whistler) – Dance / House – Friday 11pm Capital Iron

It’s no secret that these boys are a Betty & Kora fave. Their timeless track selection makes SkiiTour a constant crowd-pleaser. You know we’ll be there with bells (or rather, ski googles!) on.

K+Lab (Vancouver via New Zealand) – G-Funk / Glitch Bass – Friday 12:30am Lucky Bar

K+Lab made a splash on the international festival scene, finally landing in Vancouver. We hope this Kiwi import is here to stay!!! He’s been rocking dancefloors all summer long — from Shambhala to Eclipse to Motion Notion — and we STILL can’t get enough! We may have an addiction to hot beats…

AppleCat – (Salt Spring) – Cosmic Dubstep / Mystic Trap – Friday 12:30am Studio Robazzo

This woman needs no introduction, but we’ll give you one anyway. If you’re into the sexier side of bass music, look no further. This bass kitty will serve up an experience of in-the-zone dance floor vibes that will leave you buzzing all weekend long.

Twin Bandit (Vancouver) – Folk – Saturday 2pm Main Stage

Not your average bluegrass sweethearts, Twin Bandit’s heartfelt, dreamy music is sure to bring some soulfulness to your Saturday afternoon.

Too Many Zoos (NYC) – Brass House – Saturday 3:50pm Rifftop Tent and 12:30am Sugar Nightclub

Get your dancing shoes on for this one, because this instrumental-infused dance music is sure to get you grooving.

Bonobo (Los Angeles) – Electronic / Ambient – Saturday 7:45 Main Stage

We’re completely obsessed with Bonobo’s recent album, Migration. The chilled-out tunes are sure to be a fantastic break to the weekend craziness, and a blissful way to start your Saturday evening.

Astrocolor (Victoria) – Instrumental + Electronic / Ambient / House / Jazz – Saturday 10pm Phillips Backyard

You won’t catch us missing the dreamy sounds of this Victoria favorite! We just can’t wait for them to drop their recent single, “Sunshine,” which has become our last-days-of-summer anthem.

Kytami and Phonik Ops (Victoria) – Violin + Drum and Bass – Saturday 10pm Capital Iron

A favorite of the BC festival circuit, Kytami’s hard-hitting drum and bass laced with high-energy violin will be a highlight of the weekend.

Lazy Syrup Orchestra (Vancouver) – Groovy Dance Beats –  Saturday 10:30pm Sugar Nightclub

Lazy Syrup is traditionally served best with all-night dance parties and their subsequent sunrises. Alternately, we like to get sticky with them on hot summer afternoons. This weekend, we’re looking forward to an upbeat Saturday night set from this festival favorite.

Illvis Freshly (Victoria) – Hip-hop / Funk / Bass – Saturday 11:30pm Lucky Bar

These local sweethearts are no stranger to the stage. They’ve been rocking our socks off for years now, and never fail to deliver high energy performances that leave us wanting more… which is why we’re sure to be there for this one!

Slynk (Brisbane) – Funk / Glitch Hop / Breaks – Saturday 12:30am Lucky Bar

Slynk pretty much rocked Canada’s world all summer long, and he’s not ready to stop yet. We’re really looking forward to catching him one last time before the summer ends!

Ralph (Toronto) – Pop / Disco / Synth – Sunday 3:30 Rifftop Tent

For singer-songwriters, you’ve got your pick of some great options. The moment we heard Ralph’s angelic voice over upbeat melodies on her remix of the classic “Young Hearts Run Free,” we knew we’d be at her Sunday afternoon set.

Yukon Blonde (Vancouver, BC) – Indie Rock – Sunday 5:40pm Main Stage

This 3-man band is going to satisfy all our Indie Rock cravings for the weekend with their smooth vocals and danceable beats. We’re particularly excited for them to perform their infectious single, “Crazy.”

Z-Trip (California) – Cross-Genre Dance Music – Sunday 6:25pm Rifftop Tent

We are still buzzing from Z-Trip’s sets at Shambhala. Victoria is super lucky to have this international performer playing for us at Rifflandia, and he is definitely not one to miss!