We hand over the Open Mic to focus on performers who are on the schedule for Hillside this year.
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Hillside 2023: 40 years of looking forward
By Will McGuirk
40! Its a big number, brings with it reflection on a journey completed, some trepidation for the future, as if the best years are behind one. . . and yet not so much for Hillside Festival celebrating 40 years this July 28 through 30, 2023.
So no, its not a festival looking back, there’s no alumni of note gathering to celebrate such an anniversary. . . for Hillside age is just a number, its all about whats next, who’s next, and how the next will happen. Its what I love about this island based festival in Guelph, seeing the now and the new.
Maybe perhaps one nod to the past may be the inclusion of Owen Pallett, who in 2009, gave one of the most intense performances, in a rain storm, gathering all those in attendance in an almost Biblical embrace. unbelievable, unforgettable, and he is among the scores of artists scheduled over the three days of the festival.
Scores of artists you maybe don’t know. . . yet. We say yet because Hillside is known as the breakout fest, the Saturday night Island and Lake stage have hosted bands just on the verge. And there are of course scores of artists you may know but whom are not necessarily household names, such as the iconic singer/songwriter Willie Nile, and Martha Wainwright, Hayden, Tami Neilson, U.S. Girls, and Will Butler of Arcade Fire. Fab artists all.
And on the recommended list for us at Slowcity.ca? Well this year no Durham Region artists to note, but as shows have opened here in the D-Rack, bands have come through so there is some familiarity with some of the bands on the line-up, Billianne for one, surberb voice, also Begonia, Ariel Posen, Zoon, Debby Friday, Julianna Riolino, and of course we have been big fans of Daniel Romano’s Outfit as well as Steve Lambke’s work for donkeys.
The schedule as of now is:
FRIDAY, JULY 28
Bedouin Soundclash, Bibi Club, DEBBY FRIDAY, JamSchool Youth Showcase, Royal Castles, Tami Neilson
SATURDAY, JULY 29
Adrian Sutherland, Catherine MacLellan, DakhaBrakha, Izzie Walsh, Lynn Jackson, Moontricks, Priyanka, Sultans of String, Tiny Horse, U.S. Girls, Willie Nile
SUNDAY, JULY 30
Begonia, BuenRostro, Cheikh Ibra Fam, Ghostly Kisses, Hayden, The Human Rights, Kandy Guira, Leith Ross, Lola Kirke, Owen Pallett, Riki Gee’s Time’s Front Lawn, Sunday Gospel Session, Wendy McNeill, Zoh Amba
Photo by Tracy Walker Photography
Tania Joy: Thoughts on her Hillside Fest debut
By Will McGuirk
Canadian folk-roots musician Tania Joy has been using the last few years to hone her songwriting, finally following up her 2013 EP, I’ll Be Around, with the release of her EP ‘I Will Stand’. The new collection of songs are produced by Juno Nominated Hill Kourkoutis.
With mentorship from Hillside’s Girl with Guitars program, Tania wrote her first protest song, “Planks and Marietta,” which was released exclusively on Bandcamp during Black History month with all proceeds from downloads being directed to Black Lives Matter.
Tani Joy - “So exciting!! I am so stoked for the return of Hillside Festival, and delighted to be a part of it! This will be my first official performance on Guelph Lake Island although I was able to perform virtually for Hillside Inside and at a live pop-up concert in Guelph during Hillside Homeside in 2021. I have been invited to perform a solo set that includes ‘Planks and Marietta’ for a Girls and Guitars showcase on the main-stage. Can't wait!”
Photo by Jen Squires
Leela Gilday: Thoughts on her Hillside Festival debut
By Will McGuirk
Born and raised in the Northwest Territories, Leela Gilday writes about the people and the land that created her. The power in her voice conveys the depth of her feelings of love and life in a rugged environment and vibrant culture, as if it comes straight from that earth. Leela’s family is from Délįne on the shore of Great Bear Lake and her rich vocals dance across the rhythmic beats of traditional Dene drumming as smoothly as a bass line onstage the largest venues in the country.
Leela’s fifth album "North Star Calling", released in fall of 2019, won the Indigenous Artist of the Year JUNO Award 2021.
Leela Gilday - “I have never played Hillside. I am really excited to play at the festival as I have heard many great things about it! I am bringing my full band and this last couple of months have been the first time back on the road since Covid. I am grateful to be able to share some of my new Dene language songs with the band.
Mahsi Cho”
Julian Taylor: Thoughts on his Hillside debut
By Will McGuirk
On his latest album singer/songwriter Julian Taylor reflects on his Indigenous and West Indian heritage. Titled ‘Beyond the Reservoir” the album is a consideration of dualities, the balance of the urban and the rural as well as his own roots in two communities. The latest single ‘SEEDS” is Taylor’s way to come to terms with ongoing discovery of graveyards at residential schools across Canada.
2022 marks his Hillside debut.
Julian Taylor - “I’m ecstatic to be performing at Hillside this year. My younger cousins are coming and so is my daughter who is ten which makes the festival experience a family experience and what could possibly be better than that.
“This will be my first time playing Hillside in person. In 2020 during the height of the first wave of the pandemic I did do a live stream for Hillside and broadcast from my backyard. “
