Music lovers can rejoice as Rifflandia will be making a comeback this year, with Lorde and Charli XCX slated to headline the return of the festival.
“One of the first comments I saw when we dropped the lineup is someone said what a return” Nick Blasko, president and CEO of Rifflandia Festival, said. “That’s what it feels like to us too.”
Tickets go on sale at 10 a.m. on May 6 for the festival which will take place at Royal Athletic Park and Electric Avenue.
The festival will take place on Sept. 15-18 and concert-goers have the option of buying a 4-day pass, 3-day park pass for all three days at Royal Athletic Park, a 3-day night pass for Electric Avenue, or a VIP pass with access to exclusive shaded areas, direct sight lines to the stage and more.
Royal Athletic Park is for all ages, and Electric Avenue at Discovery St, Pembroke St & Store St is a 19+ venue.
Blasko said Electric Avenue will hold seven stages this year, elevating the experience.
“It feels amazing to be bringing this event back to the city we love,” said Blasko. “Our line up is exceptional this year, and we are working hard to create an elevated festival experience that celebrates our past while launching us into the future.”
Other announced guests include Lauv, Cypress Hill, Black Pumas and Ben Harper.
Vancouver based The Funk Hunters will also be back and are excited to get back on stage.
Nick Middleton, with The Funk Hunters, said the group had to take a break from performing during the pandemic and has just recently started performances in the USA again.
He said being from the area, Rifflandia is a special event for them and the perfect way to start Canadian shows again.
“We’ve been chomping at the bit to get back to shows on the island and it will be almost three years since we’ve played in Victoria by the time Rifflandia happens,” Middleton said.
The return comes after Rifflandia announced it was taking a pause for its 2019 season, with plans to return in fall 2020.
Then during the pandemic, with concerts and festivals not allowed to operate, the pause continued for 2020 and 2021.
Now, with COVID restrictions lifted, the festival is able to make a return in 2022.
“Who knew that when we took a year off in 2019 it would take this long to get back here,” Blasko said.
Laura Brougham
