The seventh edition of The Big Time Out is just around the corner and fans have until this Sunday at midnight to get earlybird weekend passes.
The Big Time Out is back in Cumberland's Village Park on Aug. 18 and 19 for 2012. Organizers are adding some exciting new elements to the BTO format that will see multiple venues and street-level action as part of the weekend pass offering.
Big Time Out is one of those events that transcends the more familiar definitions of 'concert' or 'festival.' Dancers hanging from silks, fire-spinning belly dancers, and massive inflatables go hand in hand with stunning new music from national and international artists.
All of this takes place in a tree-lined park nestled against an historic Village filled with quaint turn-of-the century homes, funky little shops and cafés and residents who seem reasonably happy to see their little village double in size each summer.
The audience is young at heart with little interest in nostalgia (although few complained about the show from veteran reggae rhythm section Sly and Robbie in 2007). They return year after year to witness the innovation and unbeatable music programming that the event has become known for.
Past performers at BTO have ranged from the Sam Roberts Band, Michael Franti and Spearhead, Broken Social Scene, Mother Mother and Metric to K'Naan, Xavier Rudd and Corb Lund. Some of the hottest electronica on the West Coast ties it all together and keeps the vibe going between the bigger acts.
Performers this year include Vancouver-based alt rockers Black Mountain, alt-country trio Elliott Brood, Australia's Aurora Jane, former Feist sideman Bahamas, Luciterra, the Funk Hunters, Humans, Longwalkshortdock, Morlove, Flying Fox and the Hunter Gatherers, and Kermal Evans.
Local artists include Luke Blu Guthrie, Des Larsen, Pamela Tessmann and Brodie Dawson.
The consistent BTO thread is high-quality production, exciting and relevant new music, a youth-friendly energy, untamed creativity and a sense of wonder expressed year after year by performers, audience members, locals and volunteers alike.
How does such a little village churn out such a top-tier show? Come explore the mystery Aug. 18 and 19th in historic Cumberland.
To find out more about The Big Time Out, 2012 check out www.thebigtimeout.com. The early advance ticket deadline is July 15 at midnight.
— The Big Time Out