Playing live at the Pemberton Music Festival would be a dream come true for most bands. So why not make it a reality? Gibbons has paired up with Mountain FM and The Meadows of Pemberton Golf Course to give one lucky band from the Sea to Sky corridor a stage of their own at Pemby Fest 2016. How do we decide who’s going to make it to the big leagues? By none other than a good old fashion battle of the bands. The Meadows at Pemberton will be hosting the second annual ‘Be the Best Play the Fest’ competition to determine who will be performing at Pemby Fest 2016!
Over 40 bands submitted music and only five were carefully selected to play at The Meadows of Pemberton – selecting the top five was not an easy task might I add, our little Sea to Sky region is filled with an abundance of incredible talent! These five selected bands will put on a show to remember, in hopes of securing a spot to Pemby Fest 2016 – and taking home some serious cash. There will be $10K up for grabs between the five acts, so join us in person to find out how all that money makes its way home!
Be The Best, Play The Fest: Event Details
When: July 9th, 2016
Where: The Meadows at Pemberton Golf Course (1730 Airport Rd, Pemberton, BC V0N 2L3)
Tickets:
- Under 12: Free ticket: Includes a burger or hotdog and a soda
- Youth 12yrs – 18yrs: $5 ticket: Includes a burger or hotdog and a soda
- Adult (19+)*: $10 ticket: Includes one beer from Deep Cove Brewers + Distillers and a burger or hotdog
- Adult (19+)* $40 VIP ticket: Includes passed appetizers and one drink ticket for the bar
- *Must show 2 pieces of ID to receive a drink ticket
Transportation: Free shuttle buses from both Whistler and Pemberton provide transport to and from the event.
From Whistler
- Departure: 5:30pm from the Village Gateway Bus Loop
- Return: 11:30pm
From Pemberton
- Departure: 6:00pm from The Blackbird Bakery or 6:05pm from Petro-Canada Gas Station
If there are more people than seats on the shuttle at either of the Pemberton pick up locations there will be a repeat pick up available. - Return: 11:30pm
Extra Fun: All adult tickets include cover for the official after party at Garfinkel’s in Whistler.
Artists Vying for a Spot on the Pemby Fest 2016 Line Up
It’s no surprise that our community is stacked with great musicians in all genres, and it is our pleasure to show off what incredible talent these lively locals have to offer! From one-man shows to full bands, we’ve heard it all and, boy oh boy, it was a tough call to narrow it down to five. So, without further ado, it’s the moment you’ve all been waiting for! We’re stoked to announce the following five acts will be battling it out at Be the Best Play the Fest to play Pemby Fest 2016!
Northern Ignition: Bluesy Folk-Rock
This Whistler based band is often spotted jamming out at Tapley’s Neighbourhood Pub and knows how to rock your socks off. They even have a free download available on their website of a new release titled “Island Time”.
“Playing Pemby Fest would be the ultimate reward for the hard work the Northern Ignition family has put in over the last year. It would be an amazing opportunity to spread love and give thanks to all our best friends and strangers who have supported us so far, in one of the most beautiful places in the world!”
-Marcus, Northern Ignition
Thankful for their fans, Northern Ignition feels playing at Pemby Fest would be the ultimate reward. Image: Northern Ignition
Small Town Runaway: Country/Folk
Christine Sherrington is a small-town girl from Ontario who now proudly calls Whistler home. Her songs are filled with tangible heart, truth, and emotion. Visit Small Town Runaway’s website for more details and videos.
“Trying to make a career out of something you love to do can be a pretty rocky journey and when it’s something as personal as music the ups and downs really hit home. While I know the festival would be an amazing experience and an unforgettable time regardless, to play there would be a milestone saying all the hard work and dedication is paying off. Even qualifying for the top five among so many amazing artists that entered is such a boost that it’s hard to imagine how it would feel to get into the festival!”
-Christine Sherrington, Small Town Runaway
Christine Sherrington brings truth and emotion to her country folk tunes. Image: Small Town Runaway
Brother Twang: Rock with a little bit of Roll
No strangers to Pemby Fest, this group of four took the stage in 2008 and is hoping to find themselves there again. You can see them regularly through Chances Casino for a preview of their style, or listen to Brother Twang’s songs online.
“It would mean a full circle for Brother Twang. We got the call to perform at the 2008 Pemberton Music Festival just three weeks before we transformed from a cover band called Too Soon To Tell into Brother Twang. We have since recorded two albums, with the third album titled Here Comes The Melody, almost ready for release. This opportunity comes at an awesome time in our lives where we are balancing new family dynamics while continuing to write and record our music. We are humbled and very grateful to have this opportunity at this exciting time in our lives.”
-Jay Romany, Brother Twang
Brother Twang is hopeful to make a second appearance at Pemby Fest. Image: Brother Twang
The Dick Smithins: Rock/Surf/Punk/Blues
Vancouver is home for The Dick Smithins band members, but one thing that isn’t so simple is their genre labeling. Whatever it is, they’re playing it with soul, no holds barred and no labeling required. Listen to a new song from The Dick Smithins’s E.P.
“Playing Pemby Fest for us represents the whole idea and point of being in a band! The adrenaline, creative spontaneity and excitement is what makes being in this band such a good time. As a band, you give it all you got and the crowd amplifies that and sends it back at you, The opportunity of playing at Pemberton in front of a crowd that size with bands that know how connect with so many people on that personal level is what bands live for. It’s what musicians live for. It’s what the Dick Smithins live for.”
-Matt, The Dick Smithins
Ready to give it their all, The Dick Smithins will play songs from their E.P. Image: The Dick Smithins
Jon Shrier: Rock/Acoustic
The Crystal Lounge, Beacon Pub, Mallard Lounge; Jon knows how to make the rounds here in Whistler. His sound is absolutely contagious of good vibes – listen to Jon Shrier online and you’ll know what we are talking about!
“I have been living in the Sea to Sky for 20 years. The music I write echoes the experiences I have had here, both good and bad. I am unable to describe it with only words. I have worked hard to marry the melody of life with the words that have carried me forward. It would be the memory of a lifetime to be able to perform these songs I have written to both locals and festival goers as a means of conveying my gratitude. I am what I am and I do what I do because of the wonderful life I have right here in the town that made me the man I am today.”
– Jon Shrier
Jon Shrier shares his love for Whistler through music. Image: Jon Shrier
We wish all of the contestants the best of luck in their live performance at Be the Best Play the Fest and look forward to seeing them at many more local venues in Whistler for years to come! To the winner, may this opportunity shoot your musical career to the stars! We know you’ll make our whole community proud to claim you as our own. High fives and good luck everyone!
If listening to great music being played in gorgeous, mountain-backed surroundings sounds like your dream event, why not make a weekend of it? Contact our expert concierge service to plan the perfect Whistler-based getaway to accompany your Be the Best Play the Fest experience.
