Field Trip came first, but this is the year when it has plenty of company in terms of multi-day festivals. Here is your guide to the three biggest festivals for Toronto's summer of 2015.
FIELD TRIP, JUNE 6–7
Location: Fort York
Headliners: Alabama Shakes, My Morning Jacket, War on Drugs
Cool and quirky: De La Soul, Sharon and Bram, Lee Fields and the Expressions
Local content: Kevin Drew and Andy Kim, Hayden, Young Empires
Camping: No
What’s the deal: Toronto’s downtown community music and arts festival that’s from the fine folks at Arts & Crafts records.
Tickets: $70 for one-day general admission; $120 for weekend pass; VIP also available
Last word: This is the best festival in terms of access. Take the TTC or ride your fixie and use the free bike valet and enjoy the care-free party.
BESTIVAL, JUNE 12–13
Location: Hanlan’s Point Beach
Headliners: Florence and the Machine, NAS, Caribou, Banks
Cool and quirky: Omar Souleyman
Local content: Owen Pallett, Born Ruffians, River Tiber
Camping: No
What’s the deal: Bestival U.K. is a massive festival packing 50,000-plus onto the Isle of Wight that features a slew of pleasing distractions, and costumes play a serious role. So that’s cool.
Tickets: $69.50 general admission day ticket; weekend tickets $129.50–$189.50
Last word: A new and thoroughly exciting Toronto festival, but the island locale will give our meagre ferry service a challenge. Two words: water taxi.
WAYHOME, JULY 24–26
Location: Burl’s Creek
Headliners: Neil Young + Promise of the Real, Sam Smith, Kendrick Lamar, alt-J, Modest Mouse, Hozier
Cool and quirky: The Huaraches, How to Dress Well, Courtney Barnett
Local content: Timber Timbre, Lowell, Fucked Up, July Talk and many more
Camping: Camping, plus RV, plus showers
What’s the deal: From the Bonnaroo festival folks, WayHome’s slogan is “Life was different before the internet. Probably better.” Whatever that means.
Tickets: $229 general admission full event pass; optional add-ons include shuttle, camping, showering, etc.; single day tickets not available — boo
Last word: Expect a two-hour drive plus a long wait for parking along the single road to the event.
