Summer usually means one thing: music festivals. This year is a bit different because a few notable festivals (Bestival, TURF, Riot Fest) decided to stop operating and so everyone started writing think pieces about the death of music.
Have no fear, Toronto’s favorite record label still runs strong and with new records by their most prominent acts coming out there was no way Field Trip would have been cancelled (we’ll see for 2018). Taking place once again at Fort York, Field Trip promises to be a fun weekend of good music, truck food and covfefe
So this year, two of us at the Panic Manual are covering the event. It only made sense for me and our exalted photographer Elisabeth Isles (from Devonshire, England) to collaborate on who we are most excited to see.
Broken Social Scene
Ricky says
A quintessential Toronto group by now, BSS is back after a long layoff with a new album. You know it’s very Toronto to see BSS in Toronto and frankly I’ve never seen them live except for a few fleeting minutes at SXSW. So for me it’s a Toronto bucket list thing. Yet for many it will be a cathartic experience as to journey through a BSS set list is to journey through memories in Toronto, one song at a time. I’m sure everyone is wondering how good new LP Hug of Thunder might be, but personally, I’m wondering if they will be filming to sequel to their movie from earlier this decade:
How excited would you be for that? Probably not, but one can only hope.
Elisabeth (from Devonshire, England) Says
With all due respect, the only way I ever really enjoy Kevin Drew is in small doses. Thankfully he is only 1/12 of Broken Social Scene.
Feist
Ricky says
Another Arts and Craft artist back after a long layoff, it’s almost like they need money or something. With new album Pleasures in tow, Feist is perfect for the early evening set as her gently sultry voice is the perfect vehicle to carry us into the night. I have personally not seen Feist since 2003 or 2004, back when what is now CB2 was still a concert venue. She’s put out a few records since then, I think some of them are okay.
You know what would make this awesome? If Jarvis Cocker showed up for their song Century as the last song of the set. And then the stage goes dark, and then suddenly, I feel goosebumps all over as a realize that Field Trip’s secret set is none other then PULP! An excited crowd gathers, as we look at the stage, something like this happens
Oh my god, how awesome would that be! Make it happen Kevin Drew.
Did I just write Field Trip fan fiction? yes.
Phoenix
Elisabeth (from Devonshire, England) says
I feel like Phoenix is destined to forever headline smaller festivals and I am okay with this because they play their shows like they’re the biggest band on earth
Badbadnotgood
Ricky says
An underrated feature of Field Trip is how earth friendly it is. Half the bands are local and as such we don’t have a high carbon tax from having to fly bands in, except for Phoenix. Those French fuckers. A great local band is Badbadnotgood, who exist in a musical space that is exclusively theirs and as such have been able to collaborate with such high profile acts as Ghostface Killah. Their album last year built on their existing popularity and they always put on live shows so this set will be very good. Will Kaytranada show up? Tune in and find out.
Portugal The Man
Ricky says
It’s only fitting I see Portugal The Man, before I see Portugal the country (in July). The American band has quite a following and will be touring for a new record for the first time in four years. This seems to be a theme. Anyways, check out this org chart someone made on wiki, the conglomerate I work for doesn’t even have this much detail.
Cloud Nothings
Elisabeth (from Devonshire, England) says
They’re a cool band, or at least that’s what all my cool friends tell me.
Ricky says
As a Raptors fan, I like nothing from Cleveland
LP
Elisabeth (from Devonshire, England) says
I am genuinely excited for LP. That voice is amazing. Listen to this live video of “Lost On You” and tell me I’m wrong
Thundercat
Ricky says
How can you not want to see a show with a dude dressed like that. Known more for his collaborations with Kendrick Lamar and Flying Lotus, Thundercat is playing out the show on solo and it looks like it’ll be a fantastic time. Also, if he were to show up in a random alleyway and tell me that I’m actually an alien prince and I need to return to my home planet to regain my throne from a group of squidlike aliens, I would probably believe him.
Elisabeth (from Devonshire, England) says
Take a shot every time you see someone do air sax
Pharcyde
Elisabeth (from Devonshire, England) saysI saw them at NXNE and people really like them! That’s a fact!
Those are the acts we are excited to see! Who are you excited to see?