Skip to content

New fest focuses on live acts

Something ‘wild’ this way comes.
10826551_web1_180228-CVR-M-FA-Funk-2017-Bus_Photo-credit-Maggie-MacPherson_offical-press-photo_preview
Five Alarm Funk. Photo submitted

Something ‘wild’ this way comes.

Once again, Cumberland has cooked up a lively, full-of-fun music festival, and this one focuses even more on original Canadian content.

The inaugural Cumberland Wild will unfold in the heart of the village on the Aug. 18-19 weekend, with its spotlight squarely on live acts, but filled out with a number of ‘bass-heavy masters’ of the turntables.

“We’re totally excited to be doing something new and different,” says Avigdor Schulman of Cumberland Village Works. “It’s going to be such a party.”

Shulman and Ben Howells of Mt. Eliah Presents co-produced the celebrated and revered Big Time Out and Atmosphere Gathering festivals, as well as many smaller events.

“The legendary Cumberland kick-ass musical legacy continues to evolve,” said Howells.

“Over the years, those two impresarios have brought to Cumberland countless bands and DJs of such superlative fame and quality that one would not expect to see play in such an intimate-size festival,” says Jamie Bowman, media co-ordinator of Cumberland Wild.

The last two years of Atmosphere showcased more live music than electronic, but this event promises even more.

“Small town, big sound,” said Howells, who promises the Wild will be a “live music-driven event,” and an “extremely intriguing new production, featuring a gritty hometown feel.”

The full line-up will be rolled out April 4, but so far Cumberland Wild has named a number of famed acts, including Elliot Brood, Five Alarm Funk, Bend Sinister, Kitty and the Rooster, Astrocolor, and Pack AD, plus bass-heavy beats from Cheshire, Moontricks, Defunk, and DJ Merge.

“Precision production, world-class talent, a legendary village,” said Howells. “It’s what we’ve got.”