Written by GAC staff
Launching this year for the very first time, Youngfolk Festival is sure to make a splash in Riverside Park on August 9th. Featuring live performances from talented young artists from the Kitchener/Waterloo Region, get ready to immerse yourself in the lively atmosphere of young music! We are grateful that organizer Annie McCarthy had the opportunity to answer a few questions about the festival.
Can you tell me a little bit about the festival for those who have never heard of it?
Youngfolk is a new festival which is run by young people for young people. This means we have people between the ages of 15 – 25 running lights, sound, staging, and organizing this entire event. Our performers are even in this age group, with some playing in front of an audience for the very first time! We aim to provide a platform for youth to explore all areas of running/performing at a festival! Our festival also aims to be affordable for everyone, with the price for entry being PWYC (with a $10 suggestion). You can buy your tickets on Eventbrite by looking up “Youngfolk Music Festival”!
This is your first year of the festival. How has planning been and what challenges have you faced?
Oh boy. Who knew running a festival to this scale would be difficult? We’d be lying if there weren’t a million hurdles we’ve had to face, whether it’s fundraising, finding food vendors, or having to jump through the hoops of city regulations. But we’ve pushed through, and we hope you’ll give our festival a try because we sure did! It’s not easy when you’re facing so many new laws and legalities for the first time.
What performances, activities, or workshops can people expect?
At our festival you can expect music, food, artisans, and a grand ol’ good time! We want to highlight and focus on our artists! We hope to have a big crowd of people dancing in the sunshine listening to the voices of our extremely talented artists! To list a few, we have men without pants, Amanda and the paper cranes, and famously a Guelph favourite, CJ COOPER! You can find these artists along with many more throughout the day between 10am – 10pm!
What new genres or performance styles are you introducing this year?
A lot of folk, it is in the name after all. But expect to hear tons of originals and interesting interpretations on indie music. As someone who’s followed some of these musicians over the years, their musical voices are entirely unique and their own. I don’t think anyone will find that this type of music doesn’t suit them because it’s simply gold.
What should first-time festival-goers know to get the most out of the experience?
We recommend you come early and get checked in at 10am, and from there you’re welcome to come and go as you please. Of course we recommend you stay for the whole day, explore the riverside park nearby, eat from our array of vendors or just lay in the sun hearing each new artist shine. But, 12 hours of music is a lot, so get your tickets, catch a show, come back a few hours later and catch another. We do think you should be at Youngfolk for the last three performers however, because it’ll be an experience of a lifetime!
There seems to be a big emphasis on community, how will that be reflected in the event day-off?
We hope the community will come together at Youngfolk, it feels like prices are going up (as they should) for performances lately. Like who can afford a minimum $2000 ticket to go see Paul McCartney nowadays? We want to give music back to the people, give the community a day where they can have fun and not break the bank.
Why is this a great opportunity for local artists participating?
We’re giving the youth a platform, a big stage with a hopefully big audience. A piece that’s up to the very people in our community. We need more people (we’ve only sold a few tickets) to give these young performers a memory, and perhaps a trajectory for the rest of their lives.
Being the first year of the festival, what are your goals for the future of the event?
Bigger. Bigger, anddddd BIGGER! We want this festival to grow and expand as much as hillside has. We want to be something that people look forward to next year, and check to see the lineups.. but most of all we want to give young musicians a place to “blow up”, “become known”, and grow.
Did I miss anything?
I think you’re golden! Spread the word! Tell people to buy their tickets on eventbrite and follow our instagram @youngfolkfestival!!! AND WE’LL SEE YOU AT THE RIVERSIDE BANDSHELL AUGUST 9TH AT 10AM!
