Pachena Bay Music Festival 2024: Review
By Hollie McGowan
Situated at the Pachena Bay Campground on Huu-ay-aht Territory, the Pachena Bay Music Festival is certainly in an optimal location on Vancouver Island for a fun-filled four days of music, games, and shenanigans. A festival with an emphasis on being family-oriented, the annual event is safe, comfortable, and easy-going. Not an air of pretentiousness, the vibe is nothing but fun and carefree. Right on the water, it's also an ideal spot for a dip in the ocean with a soft, white sandy beach to lounge on afterward, catch some rays, and take in some music. Aside from music, it had many fun things to check out and games to play as well for people (and dogs) of all ages. Also, on account of it being a family-friendly event with a First Nations community directly behind, the loud speakers shut down fairly early with a silent disco for those who like to keep the party going. So here it is, in no particular order, my top ten for Pachena Bay Music Festival 2024.
Lazy Syrup Orchestra
This band was clearly a favorite of the festival attendees as the majority flocked to the Forest Stage for their set, packing themselves in shoulder to shoulder right up to the front. Myself, although I had heard of the band and knew a few of the individual artists that make up this ensemble, I had never actually made it to see them in action previously. Yet, almost immediately after they began, I could see why they have cultivated their own following. Made up of multi-instrumentalist and live-looping wizard, Mark Woodyard, beatboxing champion, Thomas Workshop, scratching and beatmatching pro, Dunks of the Funk Hunters, and various other musicians that come in and out of the group’s repertoire, The Lazy Syrup Orchestra deliver an infectious blend of hip hop, funk, and soul. As the night grew dark, the band officially kicked off Saturday night and not a person in the crowd was not smiling.
Lil’ Cis
Now, like most people, I have my musical preferences. Music that tends to lean into the Latin vibes, like salsa, moombhaton, reggeaton, or anything the likes of are not usually my thing. So when I come across a set in which the DJ is playing genres which I normally don’t gravitate towards, yet instead begin making my hips sway and my feet move, I’m impressed. This is precisely what local West Coast DJ, Lil’ Cis, did. Playing Latin sounds over a heavy, grounding four to the floor, she beckoned festival attendees back to the beach dance floor. Unfortunately not all were up and ready to begin dancing at that time, so not everyone got to experience her house set. However, those of us who were lucky enough to take in the magic sure had a good time.
The Pseudos
By Sunday evening, Haida Gwaii surf rock band, The Pseudos took to the Forest Stage. They were scheduled to play at the same time as stiff competitor and out-of-town headliner, Justin Martin, who had drawn in most of the festival at that point. However, The Pseudos made sure to give their own crowd and anyone who got caught in their line of fire a show not to forget. Adorned with matching outfits which really heightened the aesthetic, they played a set that would have made original surf rock bands like The Lively Ones or The Centurions proud. Going back and forth between their own tunes (about stealing Bologna from Walmart, of all topics) and classics that all of us could recognize, the crowd got into it and proved that surf rock can actually be relatable to many. At one point, while the band played “Tequila” by The Champs, one individual who clearly grew up in the 80s during the time of Pee Wee Herman’s Playhouse busted out the iconic Paul Rubens “tequila” dance move. Then a bit later, another person marched through the crowd with a surfboard (it was a festival beside the ocean after all) and proceeded to get on top of it while it was being hoisted up by a crew of audience members. From there, the crew took the surfer on his board throughout the cheering crowd. It brought a whole new level of meaning to the term “crowd surfing”.
Dana Sipos
By Sunday early afternoon, drifting from the Playa Viva was a gentle voice accompanied by homey sounds from a violin, guitar, trumpet, and drums. Like a warm hug, Dana Sipos and her band cradled us with her music, helping to bring us back to life on the final day of the festival. Playing a slew of originals, Sipos was the perfect soundtrack for the late morning.
Mr. Dr. Brotherman
A one-man-band you’ll never forget, Mr. Dr. Brotherman took to the Playa Viva after Dana Sipos. Although I tried to make my way over to some other stages to see what else was happening, I found myself coming back to continue listening to more Mr. Dr. Brotherman. I just couldn’t get enough. Playing a drum, guitar, keys, harmonica, while doing the vocals simultaneously is a feat in itself. However, he also did it exceptionally well. And to top it off, he got a dancefloor going all on his own! An entertainer indeed.
Max Ulis
Max Ulis has been one of Vancouver’s mainstays for the city’s house and techno scene for well over a decade now. So it was no surprise that he would play an exceptional set at Pachena Bay. Moving through the gamut of four to the floor with a taste level that few rise to, he was the perfect warm up for one of the weekend’s most anticipated acts.
Justin Martin
They say “save the best for last”, and Pachena Bay Music Festival certainly did that by scheduling Justin Martin to play The Cabana, and right after Max Ulis none-the-less. Largely associated with the acclaimed Dirty Bird Records, Martin gave his audience exactly what they were seeking. It was a rave worthy mix of breaks, house, disco, and garage and the crowd was loving it through and through.
Dog Show
One of the festival’s non-music features was a dog show. It was, by far, one of the most entertaining things I have ever seen at a festival. Made out of driftwood, sticks, and a circus hoop to jump through, a number of festie dogs took to the obstacle course to compete for “best in show”. From costumes to special tricks, each dog had their own unique charm and the audience in stitches.
The Neon Boneyard
The Neon Boneyard was definitely something people were talking about all weekend. It was especially enticing at night when you could see it all lit up down one of the pathways through the woods where it was nestled. There was gambling, fortune telling, a confessional booth, a shadow show, and more…the adventure just kept going and going. The whole set-up was kind of a festival in itself, one which had attendees emerging with full belly laughs and hilarious stories of their experiences.