It is the Granddaddy of all Vancouver Island music festivals.
Sunfest may the hot new kid in town, and the Symphony Splash might have a higher profile amongst those who seldom venture north of the Malahat.
But Vancouver Island MusicFest, hosted annually in the Comox Valley since 1997, perhaps best exemplifies the spirit of an Island summer music festival. More than 7,000 music fans gather in mid-July every year for a family-friendly mix of workshops, art, food sunshine and especially music B次元官网网址� featuring an array of acts new and old, ranging from the obscure to instantly recognizable.
Last weekend, as Walk Off the Earth, Passenger, Ry Cooder and Arlo Guthrie headlined a cast of more than 50 acts, members of Black Press MediaB次元官网网址檚 Comox Valley team stepped behind the curtain to provide you with a taste of what itB次元官网网址檚 like to work an Island event of this scope.
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The average shoot lasts about nine minutes.
The lighting is irregular and constantly changing, the subjects are moving and unpredictable. Tightly-packed fans are inches away from the back of your head.
But for photographers, being in the pit is an experience many would never trade.
For major concerts and festivals, there is a small area at the front of the stage - about five feet wide - where photographers, reps, producers and others involved in the production stand to watch the band.
Most people, including photographers, are tightly packed into the space, but the exhilarating rush of getting B次元官网网址榯he shotB次元官网网址� within the three-song rule is an experience unlike no other.
Comox Valley Record photographer Erin Haluschak has been very fortunate enough to have had the opportunity to photograph bands and musicians in a variety of settings B次元官网网址� from dark, sweaty clubs to large stadiums and arenas; shooting in the pit is among her favourite moments of being a photographer.
Unlike many of the pits, the one in front of the main stage at Vancouver Island MusicFest is like stepping from a canoe into luxury yacht: there is space to move around, room to put down a bag and a (relatively) generous area to sit down.
On Friday night, photographers were shuffled into the pit, eagerly checking camera settings minutes prior to Ontario-based Walk Off The Earth taking the stage.
As soon as the band stepped on the stage, the clock starts ticking: photographers get only the first three songs to shoot, and then are escorted out, as to not block the view of those in the front rows.
Shooting concerts is an exhilarating experience, similar to shooting sports. The action is fast, the lighting is never perfect and the expressions are unpredictable.
Adaptability is a skill needed when shooting in the pit - whether it is the lighting you didnB次元官网网址橞次元官网网址檛 expect, a band member positioned on the opposing side of the stage or management changing their mind and ushering out the media after one song instead of three (the big-name band shall remain nameless), you have to work skilfully, quickly and thoughtfully.
As for Friday night, WOTE was energetic as anticipated, with a variety of lighting changes throughout the three-song shooting window. Singer-songwriter Sarah Blackwood bounced around the stage with a ukulele in one hand and a microphone in the other.
Sneaking though the pit is a bit like a scene from Mission Impossible; you donB次元官网网址檛 want to block the view of other photographers nor the crowd behind you, but you want to move to get the right shot, then sneak back out again.
Once the three songs are up, the photographers are shuffled out to the backstage area, where, almost on cue, the shooters quickly hunch over the backs of their cameras to check their shots (B次元官网网址楤次元官网网址檆himpingB次元官网网址橞次元官网网址�).
Thumbs are quickly scrolling through the shots until you spot the one - the right angle, the right exposure, the right action and the right expression.
The rush of being in the pit comes second to that same feeling when you know youB次元官网网址檝e found the shot.
And then you canB次元官网网址檛 wait to do it all over again.
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Three days after Vancouver Island MusicFest, the Comox Valley Exhibition Grounds are nearly back to normal, except for a few trailers and a handful of port-a-potties yet to be removed from the field.
This transformation is thanks to more than 200 volunteers who worked tirelessly to set up and take down B次元官网网址� part of the team of 1,300 volunteers who worked throughout the festival.
While most festival goers only witness the finished product, volunteers and employees had already been on the grounds for days, starting work nearly a week in advance to make sure everything was ready.
MusicFest production manager Cresslynn Brodhagen says she is tired but happy with the results. With four days of setting up stages, tents, booths and even unloading nearly 40 trucks, plus an extra three days of take down, Brodhagen says she canB次元官网网址檛 even guess how many volunteer hours it took to put the event together.
Kilian Barker could be found helping set up and take down. As a kid, he was lured into volunteering by the prospect of driving golf carts. That was 16 years ago, but he continues to give his time to the festival every year.
B次元官网网址淚B次元官网网址檝e been coming since I was a toddler and then my mom volunteered one year and told me you get to drive golf carts,B次元官网网址� he says. B次元官网网址淚 started volunteering, did it more, liked it more, and now the golf carts are a little redundant.B次元官网网址�
Barker says enjoys working with people who have a common focus and similar interests.
B次元官网网址淭hereB次元官网网址檚 people you only see here that seem to disappear for the rest of the year,B次元官网网址� he says. B次元官网网址淵ouB次元官网网址檙e only here because you want to be hereB次元官网网址� and then you get a big party in the middle of it, then tear it all down.B次元官网网址�
Brodhagen, who has been working with the festival for 20 years, says she sees many returning volunteers and knows of many that take time off work to help out at the event. She adds that not all volunteers are local and some come from all over the world including England and Mexico.
MusicFest staff will have a much deserved week off before some jump right back into preparations for next year.
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As opposed to using a heavy-handed approach, Kurtis Ingborg prefers to rely on B次元官网网址済ood old-fashioned customer serviceB次元官网网址� when it comes to dealing with the masses at Vancouver Island MusicFest.
Ingborg B次元官网网址� better known as Tiny B次元官网网址� and his wife, Chariti Briosi, have been in charge of security at the annual gathering in Courtenay for upwards of 10 years.
There were no incidents of hand-cuffing at last weekendB次元官网网址檚 festival, and police only had to remove one intoxicated patron.
B次元官网网址淒uring the day IB次元官网网址檓 the only one patrolling the site from 9 a.m. to 6 p.m.,B次元官网网址� Tiny said. B次元官网网址淚 rarely have problems. We certainly have a more adult crowd nowB次元官网网址ortunately, our police officers who were assigned to the festival were woefully bored. We kept them inactive, which was great.B次元官网网址�
Of nearly 1,300 MusicFest volunteers, about 350 help out in security over the course of the entire festival week.
B次元官网网址淲e have 18 licensed security guards, because beer gardens, they have to be licensed in backstage areas, anywhere thereB次元官网网址檚 alcohol. Or concerns of liability, bag checks at the front gate. Checking people as they come in, basically. And a constant roving patrol of two to three guys for the whole weekend.B次元官网网址�
ItB次元官网网址檚 tempting to think the biggest problem security encounters is dealing with fence jumpers B次元官网网址� which they donB次元官网网址檛 chase B次元官网网址� or intoxicated people. But Tiny said logistics around getting campers in off the roads on the first day is one of the biggest challenges.
B次元官网网址淚tB次元官网网址檚 all in the approach. If youB次元官网网址檙e going to be heavy-handed youB次元官网网址檙e going to get resistance and make challenges for yourself,B次元官网网址� he said. B次元官网网址淭he headaches used to be around camping, when it was strictly show up on Friday with a pup tent, a pack of hotdogs and a case of beer. As soon as we went to an online reservation system, we didnB次元官网网址檛 have the young crowd wanting to camp, because they wonB次元官网网址檛 spend the money six months in advance. IB次元官网网址檝e said it before and IB次元官网网址檒l say it again, B次元官网网址楤etter fences make better festivals.B次元官网网址� You get big, eight-foot, solid, bolted fencing, and everything is easy after that.B次元官网网址�
Other than denying entry to a few people, Tiny said security has yet to encounter a problem in any MusicFest beer garden.
B次元官网网址淎ll in all itB次元官网网址檚 a great festival,B次元官网网址� he said. B次元官网网址淭he biggest thing is improvement for next year. ItB次元官网网址檚 an ever-evolving thing. The grounds donB次元官网网址檛 change, the stages donB次元官网网址檛 change that much, but the processes have to evolve. ItB次元官网网址檚 a big site.B次元官网网址�
Tiny has appeared onstage at a couple of festivals where he has performed a spoken word version of John LennonB次元官网网址檚 Imagine, with the lyrics changed.
B次元官网网址淭he idea was to try to get the crowd to warm up to the fact that weB次元官网网址檙e not jerks, weB次元官网网址檙e not heavy-handed. You can do a festival as long as you have the ability to verbally de-escalate anyone at any time.B次元官网网址�
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And then there is that one behind-the-scenes figure who actually has to face the crowd.
MCing a festival has its own challenges. ItB次元官网网址檚 up to an MC to keep the crowd entertained, while the roadies tear down and set up, between acts.
There are duties that must be tended to - sponsors and volunteers to thank, public service announcements to make, and if thereB次元官网网址檚 time, a little humour always helps. That said, itB次元官网网址檚 important to keep in mind that no one in the audience (with the possible exception of a family member or two) is there to listen to you.
Get in, say what you have to say, then get out. When it comes to introducing the bands, there are different guidelines depending on the stage.
In regards to main stage headliners, not much needs to be said. Get some crowd reaction, by asking if they are ready for the show, then introduce the act and leave.
But quite often with festivals there are side-stage workshops and collaborations throughout the weekend. Much like the sound crew, these stages take the most preparation for MCs as well.
There could be up to half a dozen acts sharing a stage, and while one act could be well-known, itB次元官网网址檚 vital that all acts are given equal billing, when sharing such a stage. One or two lines on every act/performer will help the audience connect with the show.
B次元官网网址淚 usually spend a few hours researching my shows, looking for nuggets about the acts I am going to introduce,B次元官网网址� said Comox Valley Record editor Terry Farrell, who MCed numerous workshops at Vancouver Island MusicFest this year.
B次元官网网址淏ut the biggest thing is making sure you know how to pronounce their names properly. B次元官网网址楯ohn Paul JonesB次元官网网址� is pretty straightforward, but B次元官网网址楻ob IckesB次元官网网址� or B次元官网网址楽hakura SB次元官网网址橝ida,B次元官网网址� not so much. This year, I actually Googled B次元官网网址楻ob Ickes interview videoB次元官网网址� and found one, where the host introduced Rob at the beginning. Problem solved. But otherwise, I will track down the artist backstage and ask. TheyB次元官网网址檙e always grateful.B次元官网网址�
Farrell said the best part of MCing is connecting with the musicians on a more personal level.
B次元官网网址淎t festivals, a lot of the artists are in the area for a few days. When we are hanging backstage, weB次元官网网址檒l talk about things to do in the community, what golf courses to play, what restaurants to check out, even some quiet swimming holes. At the end of the day, they are all just people, with interests and hobbies like everyone else.B次元官网网址�
Farrell said that while heB次元官网网址檚 not one to be star-struck, one incident in particular has always stuck with him.
B次元官网网址淚 remember a few years ago, Lyle Lovett was playing MusicFest. I was MCing a workshop in the barn and he came in the back door with his camera gear. He sheepishly asked if I would allow him side-stage to take a few photos of a band that was on stage. I thought B次元官网网址榓re you kidding me? YouB次元官网网址檙e Lyle Lovett. You can do whatever you like.B次元官网网址� But it was so cool that someone of that magnitude still had the respect to ask a volunteer for permission.B次元官网网址�
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With clear skies and warm temperatures bathing the crowd at the Comox Valley Exhibition Grounds, this yearB次元官网网址檚 festival was B次元官网网址渇antasticB次元官网网址� according to the man who makes it happen.
Artistic director and producer of VIMF Doug Cox notes there were no major security issues or events over the course of the festival.
But even the boss has his moments where fandom takes precedence. And for Cox, the highlight of the weekend was meeting American musician Ry Cooder.
B次元官网网址淚t was really one of the most fun moments of my life. He is personally one of my favourites and IB次元官网网址檝e been trying to get him to come for 22 years.B次元官网网址�
Cox and Cooder snapped a rare backstage photo together and Cox says Cooder had a great time at the festival.
The musician wasnB次元官网网址檛 the only one enjoying the weekend; Passenger, otherwise known as Mike Rosenberg, was seen around the festival site following his Saturday night set on the main stage.
Cox explains he was having a good time, and spent all of Sunday exploring the music and sounds of VIMF.
B次元官网网址淭hatB次元官网网址檚 a good sign,B次元官网网址� he says, and adds previous performers such as David Crosby and Emmylou Harris have spent additional time at the site outside of their respective performances.
B次元官网网址�(The festival) is far enough away (geographically) and I think they love that itB次元官网网址檚 not a huge music industry event. Sometimes theyB次元官网网址檙e unsure of where theyB次元官网网址檙e going to, and they might expect things to be a little bit rickety. But our production standards, especially on the main stage, are incredible. I hear that more and more.
B次元官网网址�(ItB次元官网网址檚 a festival) performers now have on their bucket list.B次元官网网址�
The dates for MusicFest 2019 have already been set B次元官网网址� July 12 to 14. For more information, visit .
